Cigar manufacturers as a family business..

[joncaputo]

I notice more and more that many of the most well known cigar manufacturers (as well as some of the small ones) are family owned and run businesses. I personally think this great. I would love the opportunity to work with my children in a family business when they get older. I often wonder though why some businesses are more likely to be family owned and ran than others - in particular the cigar business. Many advantages to working with family - but some distinct challenges as well

what do you guys think?

[madurolover]

Jon, I think one aspect is that the blends are just like Grandma's old recipes, they are a family secret. So if only the family knows the recipe(blend) then no one can ever exactly duplicate it. I also think that the traditions of people of Spanish descent are to follow in their fathers footsteps so to speak, whereas here in the states hardly anyone does this any more.

I could be totally off on this last one so if any of the gorillas of Spanish descent would like to chime in I would be interested in hearing your take on this.

[Andyman]

I was thinking more Italian "the family"

[taltos]

I suspect that a big part of it is that many farming operations in the past were family enterprises, from growing the product to running the farm stand to making the jams and jellies. In this case they were growing the tobacco and processing it to the stage where it was ready to roll and then expanded to the rolling end of things. It was the only way to keep control and produce the product that they expected out of their tobacco.

[JCK]

It makes me wonder though if much of the blending magic comes from farming technique or fermentation processes?

I can see either one passed down to the next generation.

[madurolover]

Originally Posted by khubli

It makes me wonder though if much of the blending magic comes from farming technique or fermentation processes?

I can see either one passed down to the next generation.

My guess Ji is that it would be a bit of all the processes. Which of course would make "keeping it in the family" all the more important.

[jledou]

Farming in the US tends to still be a family run/owned business. This would make me think that cigars would tend to lend itself to this model. Wine would probably be a similar industry where you would see this model.

You wonder though if the discussions are the same as Orange County Choppers?

[jjirons69]

I think the farming is pretty straight forward for everyone. The fermentation and processes after harvest give them the differences. Look at Padrons and how they have a more unique taste as compared to other growers in the same region.