IndustryNEWS
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Cigar Box Factory Estelí Moves to Larger, Modern Facility ESTELÍ, NICARAGUA—Cigar Box Factory Estelí
(CBFe), a leader in the cigar industry known for making high quality cigar packaging and humidors, has opened a new, larger and modern factory. CBFe continues to operate in the world capital of handmade premium cigars, Estelí Nicaragua. The new 21,500 square foot facility is located at Km 156 1/2 Carretera Panamericana Norte within the Estelí Free Trade zone. The new location is equipped with the highest quality machinery which, along with a highly qualified and expert staff of over 100 workers and the use of novel and top-quality materials, guarantee greater productivity and efficiency, according to the company. CBFe boasts over 30 years in the tobacco industry, specializing in cigar packaging for renowned brands worldwide including those made by Drew Estate, AJ Fernandez and Altadis U.S.A. After the great success of the first factory, back in 2014, with its new location, Cigar Box Factory Estelí is now better posi-
tioned to serve its customers. Armed with an International gestation certificate ISO 9001, their new more modern facility improves working conditions, provides a better experience for visiting customers, and will increase the factory’s already heralded efficiency. Cigar Box Factory Estelí’s general manager, Cesar Ramírez Saez, said the company looks forward to welcoming current and future clients to the new and improved factory, and will be hosting guided tours during the 2020 Puro Sabor Cigar Festival. Cigar Box Factory Estelí, Tel: +505 2713 6948, (786) 508-5972, Web: cigarboxfactoryesteli.com.
STG Completes Acquisition of Royal Agio Cigars DUIZEL, THE NETHERLANDS—Scandinavian
Tobacco Group completed its acquisition of Agio Beheer B.V.—the holding company of the Royal Agio Cigars group—from Highlands Beheer B.V. effective January, 2 2020 following clearance from the relevant competition authorities and completion of statutory works councils consultation process in the Netherlands. Royal Agio is a leading European cigar company with a strong cigar portfolio including key brands such as Mehari´s, Panter, and Balmoral. The company is based in Duizel, The Netherlands and has approximately 3,200 full-time employees. Royal Agio will provide Scandinavian Tobacco Group access to a strong product portfolio and important market positions in key European machine-made cigar markets. The acquisition secures leading positions in France, Belgium, and The Netherlands and significantly improves the position in other key cigar markets such as Spain and Italy.
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“The acquisition leaves Scandinavian Tobacco Group as a bigger, more competitive and more profitable company better suited to pursue growth and create value for our shareholders,” said CEO of Scandinavian Tobacco Group, Niels Frederikse. Founded in 1904. Royal Agio sells products in about 90 countries with the majority of net sales generated in The Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. Manufacturing facilities include Westerlo, Belgium for machine-made cigars; Duizel, The Netherlands for finishing machine-made and handmade cigars; San Pedro, Dominican Republic for production of handmade and machine-made cigars; and Colombo, Sri Lanka for binder and wrapper production. In December 2017, the company opened Royal Agio Cigars USA in Bradenton, Fla. as its U.S. importing, marketing, sales, and distribution headquarters.
Bits&Pieces Q Ventura Cigar Company announced the restructuring of its national sales organization in November in advance of new FDA regulations expected to hit the tobacco industry in the coming months. “In a continually evolving environment, Ventura Cigar Company… remains a strong and profitable company and will continue to deliver high quality products and service to our valued consumers and customers,” the company said in a statement following the significant downsizing of its sales staff. Michael Giannini, general manager of Ventura Cigar Co., said, “Making tough decisions has kept Kretek International strong throughout the decades, and I commend the company for recognizing the changing market landscape and taking necessary steps to remain an industry leader. We are grateful for the contributions of our employees and wish everyone well as they continue their journeys.” Q Sales of traditional cigarettes dropped by 5.3% in 2018, according to a report released in late December by the Federal Trade Commission. The largest companies in the country sold 216.9 billion cigarettes in 2018 to wholesalers and retailers, down 12.2 billion units from 229.1 billion in 2017.
