U.S. Tobacco Cooperative Inc. (USTC) is a grower-owned marketing cooperative based in Raleigh, North Carolina.

USTC produces U.S. flue-cured tobacco grown by 500+ member growers in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia. Member-grown tobacco is processed and sold as raw materials to cigarette manufacturers worldwide. USTC processes over 35 million pounds of flue-cured tobacco, the finest, most compliant and most sustainable flue-cured tobacco in the world.

Through our manufacturing subsidiary, U.S. Flue-Cured Tobacco Growers, Inc. (USFC), we are a leader in contract manufacturing of high-quality tobacco products for domestic and global markets. With a processing and manufacturing plant in Timberlake, NC and leaf storage facility in Fuquay-Varina, NC, we have the technical capability and knowledge to develop and produce high-quality tobacco products for domestic sale and export.

USTC also produces our own consumer products for the U.S. market under brand names of Manitou, 1839, 1st Class, Shield, Traffic, Ultra Buy and Wildhorse, as well as Belmore premium cigars.

We have more than 200 employees in 13 locations throughout the U.S.

Mission Statement

From our farmers to our customers, we proudly deliver exceptional service and products made with the finest U.S. tobacco.

Core Values


Grower-Focused

We will be dedicated to our growers. We will provide results leading to prosperity and long-term benefits for our members.

Total Commitment to Excellence

We will strive for excellence at all times and seek to continually improve our performance. We will strive to be the best at what we do.

We will focus on the future, not on the past. We will learn from our past experiences.

Honesty & Integrity

We will perform our job to the best of our ability with the highest level of honesty and integrity, regardless of what others are doing.

Execution & Results

We will focus on achieving results through flawless execution. We will take responsibility for our actions and perform our responsibilities with the highest ethical standards.

When we see problems, we will own them until they are resolved. We will hold ourselves and each other accountable for our actions and for accomplishing established goals and objectives.

Safety & Security

We will incorporate safety into everything we do. We will provide a safe and secure workplace for all employees, supporting job satisfaction, family life balance and personal enjoyment.

Teamwork

We will treat others the way we want to be treated and will work as a team to accomplish our objectives.

We will treat each other with respect and encourage open, honest dialogue. We will exhibit kindness, support and compassion for our teammates.

Innovation

We will encourage, expect and support innovation as we creatively adapt to changing strategies.

As change agents, we will proactively identify challenges and opportunities, implementing creative solutions.

Celebrate Success

We will recognize and celebrate both our professional and personal achievements.