May 24, 2017 (Basel, Switzerland via PRNewswire) - Oettinger Davidoff AG, the worldwide leading manufacturer of premium cigars, headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, announced today the official inauguration of its new factory in Danlí, Honduras.
After acquiring tobacco plantations in the Condega region of Nicaragua and in the Jamastrán Valley in Honduras, the company purchased land in Honduras 2015 to build a new cigar factory.
The new facilities are located in the city of Danlí, Honduras's main tobacco region: southeast of the capital, on the Panamerican Highway, a few kilometers from the border with Nicaragua.
With this strategic move, the company responds to the fast growing global demand for its key Camacho brand as well as strong USA growth on its Baccarat, La Fontana, Legendario, National brands.
Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard, CEO and Board member of Oettinger Davidoff AG, explains: "I am proud to officially inaugurate our new factory. It is not only a milestone in the history of our company, but also reflects our global 'crop-to-shop' philosophy with this extension of the vertical integration of the business. Our investments mirror the strong growth on Camacho over the past five years which saw its global sales double, as well as the needed production capacity to continue expanding Camacho globally. Furthermore, I am particularly glad that we are able to make a substantial contribution to Honduras' economic and social development by employing over 500 people in Danlí."
"Leading and managing this splendid new factory is the greatest honor in my career thus far. In view of important future projects, combined with our focus on cost optimisation and improved working capital, this is the perfect time to consolidate and further expand the Honduran craftsmanship. It makes me very proud to see our team of Master Blenders and cigar artisans strive relentlessly to build up and continue to develop the business of Oettinger Davidoff worldwide. They are the ones who bring to life our finest quality cigars; thrilling aficionados across the globe," adds Manuel Batista, General Director Central América, Danlí, Honduras.
Manuel Battista's past experience in the tobacco industry, his performance and the results he has been delivering made him ideally suited to and prepared for this role.
Productivity at Oettinger Davidoff's new factory is expected to increase dramatically and processes in cigar production are to become more efficient in the years ahead. The high quality of the company-owned tobacco plantations enables Oettinger Davidoff to supply first-class tobacco and successfully implement plans for innovation with existing and new crops.
The site of the new facilities in Danlí is just under 450'000 square feet (41,806 m²) in surface area. The factory building, designed by Honduran architect Gonzalo Núñez Díaz, has several production halls, cold rooms, loading/unloading zones, a spacious guesthouse and the refectory for employees which meet the highest standards of technology and logistics. It has been constructed on an area of more than 118,403 square feet (11,000 m²); with an additional area of 37,673 square feet (3,500 m²) for warehouses.
"Thanks to the location of the factory, near Danlí, we have access to a skilled workforce trained in manufacturing fine cigars, which, in a sense, guarantees business continuity over time. Our new facilities symbolize the momentum, the passion and enduring desire of our team to be an integral part of Oettinger Davidoff AG," proudly explained Javier Plantada, Vice President Global Production at Oettinger Davidoff AG, Honduras.
About the "Corojo" tobacco (originally grown in Cuba) "Corojo" tobacco is the cornerstone of the Camacho brand. It gives Camacho cigars the intensity and the characteristic bold flavours that have helped make it a success. Under the watchful supervision of expert agronomists, Oettinger Davidoff has started growing "Original Corojo" leaves in the Jamastrán Valley region. This region is often compared with the renowned Vuelta Abajo in Cuba thanks to its ideal climatic conditions and the quality of its soil. The first crops are expected in June 2017.
About Oettinger Davidoff AG Oettinger Davidoff AG with sales of over half a billion Swiss francs and 3,600 employees around the world, traces its roots back to 1875 and remains family-owned to this day. The company is dedicated to the business of producing, marketing, distributing and retailing premium-branded cigars, tobacco products and accessories. The premium-branded cigar business includes Davidoff, AVO, Camacho, Cusano, Griffin's, Private Stock, Zino and Zino Platinum. Oettinger Davidoff AG is also the sole agent of many brands in several countries such as Haribo in Switzerland and S.T. Dupont in the USA. Its business is anchored in a strong "crop-to-shop" philosophy, having pursued vertical integration from the tobacco fields in the Dominican Republic, Honduras and Nicaragua to its worldwide network of over 75 Davidoff Flagship Stores that complement a network of strong Appointed Merchants around the world.
For more information on Camacho: www.camachocigars.com
Media contact: Oettinger Davidoff AG Melanie Büscher Sr. Manager Media Relations & PR Global Marketing & Innovation Hochbergerstrasse 15 CH - 4002 Basel, Switzerland Tel. +41 61 279 36 24 media@oettingerdavidoff.com oettingerdavidoff.com