Cigar-Review.com broke this story on Friday, October 10th. Here is the
official press release issued this morning.
Miami FL & Stamford CT - via Press Release - As of October 1st, 2008,
Camacho Cigars, based in Danli, Honduras and Miami, Florida will become a proud
member of the Oettinger Davidoff Group based in Basel, Switzerland. Camacho
Cigars is a key player in the U.S.A., the world’s largest Premium Cigar market
where around half of the world's handmade cigars are sold.
The addition of Camacho Cigars to the Davidoff family expands the coverage of
the Oettinger Davidoff Group from the Dominican Republic to Honduras and adds
ten attractive brands to the Group's portfolio along with its dynamic management
and sales teams, presided by Christian Eiroa. This also gives Oettinger Davidoff
access to one of the three largest tobacco growers in Honduras. The extensive
Eiroa estates are located in the Jamastran Valley, Honduras and are especially
known for their Authentic Corojo tobacco leaves.
"With the addition of Camacho Cigars and Mr. Christian
Eiroa, the Oettinger Davidoff Group has successfully united two families with a
passion for cigars as a Premium Product and the ambition to strive unceasingly
for the highest quality standards", as Dr. Reto Cina, CEO of the
Oettinger Davidoff Group is pleased to announce. At the same time, the Group is
expanding its presence in what is its most important cigar market - the U.S.A.
Caribe Imported Cigars - the distribution company of Camacho Cigars in the U.S.
- was founded by Julio Eiroa in 1987. Today, the portfolio encompasses ten
brands with a total of 180 front marks. These brands include: Camacho, Baccarat
"The Game", La Fontana, Legend-Ario and National Brand. Camacho Cigars, which
was founded by Mr. Simon Camacho in 1961, became part of Caribe Imported Cigars,
Inc. and the Eiroa family in 1994.
Christian Eiroa, the 36 year old son of Julio Eiroa and
third generation tobacco man will remain as President of Camacho Cigars.
Christian Eiroa, like his father, Julio, has spent his professional career
exclusively in the tobacco and cigar business. "Given Davidoff’s rich tradition
and long history, I am confident to say I cannot think of a better family to
belong to. There is a very emotional attachment to our brands and legacy and we
feel that the Oettinger Davidoff Group will maintain this integrity. I am
committed to the continued development of our brands within the U.S. and all
other foreign markets”, says Christian Eiroa.
Mr. Julio Eiroa will be retiring from the cigar operations
and will be focused solely in growing tobacco.
"I am happy that my legacy will be protected by a group like Oettinger
Davidoff and I know my son Christian will be in good hands with Dr. Cina and his
management team", says Julio Eiroa.
The Oettinger Davidoff Group is a globally operating family company
established in Basel in 1875. With the acquisition of Zino Davidoff's Geneva
tobacco shop in 1970, the company sought out to establish Davidoff as an
international brand. The acquisition of Camacho Cigars is consistent with this
vision.
Today, in addition to the production and international marketing of the
Davidoff, Zino, Zino Platinum, Avo, Griffin’s, Private Stock, Winston Churchill
and the Camacho Cigar Brands, the group is a leading service and marketing
organization for manufacturers of tobacco and
confectionery products in Switzerland and abroad. With its presence in 120
countries, in excess of 200 company-owned sales outlets and 56 Davidoff Flagship
Stores worldwide, the Oettinger Davidoff Group represents a major player in the
international tobacco trade.
The terms of the acquisition will remain confidential.
Facts & Figures Camacho Cigars 2007
Employees: 561 (to be retained by the Oettinger Davidoff Group) 534 in
Honduras: office, cigar factory and box factory, 27 in the USA: office and sales
Own brands: Camacho, Baccarat "The Game", La Fontana, Legend-Ario,
National Brand, Repeater, Deluxe, Don Macho, Don Felo, Nude Bundles
Most sold cigar: Baccarat Rothschild (Robusto Format)
Facts & Figures Oettinger Davidoff Group 2007
Turnover: CHF 1.273 billion (Swiss Francs = about 1.129 billion US
Dollars)
Employees: 3,344 worldwide
Cigar production: 30.8 million
Own brands: Davidoff, Zino, Zino Platinum, AVO, Griffin's and Private
Stock as well as smokers' accessories as humidors, cigar cutters, pipes,
lighters etc.
License product: Winston Churchill
Most sold cigar: Davidoff 2000 (Corona Format)
Below is the letter sent to tobaccanist:
Dear Customers and Friends:
We are very pleased to announce that as of October 1, 2008, the Oettinger
Davidoff Group has acquired Camacho Cigars. Together, we welcome you to this
exciting new era for the Davidoff and Camacho family of brands. Please find
enclosed the press release that will provide you with more information.
As a valued customer, you will benefit from the uniting of two families who
share a rich tradition, profound passion for cigars as a premium product and the
ambition to strive unceasingly for products of the highest quality standards.
The Davidoff and Camacho family would like to take this opportunity to pledge
its continual commitment to the success of your business, and incessant effort
to further enhance new and existing products, service and support.
Service to our customers will remain priority one as we work through the many
details of this acquisition. All of the people, processes, and policies at both
companies will continue to be preserved for the time being. We look forward to
continuing our long-term relationship with you.
Best regards,
 |
 |
Dr. Reto Cina
CEO, Oettinger Davidoff Group |
Mr. Christian Eiroa
President, Camacho Cigars |
Davidoff of Geneva (CT) Inc.
550 West Avenue
Stamford, CT 06902
Phone: 203-323-5811 |
Camacho Cigars
4650 NW 74th Ave.
Miami, Florida 33166
Phone: 305-592-0722A member of the Oettinger Davidoff Group |