SWITZERLAND/ASIA. Leading premium cigars manufacturer Oettinger Davidoff AG has acquired a 25% interest in Bluebell Cigars (Asia) Ltd, effective 1 January 2015.
The agreement will provide Oettinger Davidoff AG the right over time to acquire a majority interest in the company.
Oettinger Davidoff AG CEO Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard stated: “Bluebell has been Oettinger Davidoff’s close and exclusive partner in Asia (excluding China) for almost four decades and it is thanks to Bluebell that Asia represents our most prominent Davidoff retail footprint anywhere in the world. This equity investment reflects both our desire to prolong and deepen our relationship with Bluebell as well as the critical importance of Asia to our future strategy and business growth.”
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Bluebell (Asia) CEO Ashley Micklewright added: “Our Davidoff division has been hived-off into a separate entity allowing both companies to work even closer together. This move deepens further our commitment to the Davidoff brand and cements our longstanding and successful relationship with Oettinger Davidoff.”
About Oettinger Davidoff AG
The CHF1.2 billion Oettinger Davidoff AG was established in 1875 and remains family owned to this day. It operates two distinctly different businesses: one that is focused on FMCG distribution in the Swiss market and one dedicated to the core business of producing, marketing 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.
The company is said to be anchored in a strong “˜crop-to-shop’ philosophy, having pursued a vertical integration from the tobacco fields in the Dominican Republic, Honduras and Nicaragua to the worldwide network of almost 70 Davidoff Flagship Stores. It has over 3,500 employees around the world.
About Bluebell Group
Established in 1954, Bluebell is said to be a pioneer and leader in the distribution of luxury brands in Asia. Today Bluebell remains a family company and is one of the largest luxury distributors and brands curators in Asia, representing over 50 luxury lifestyle brands in eight countries, operating 500 retail stores, and employing over 2,300 dedicated staff.
The company’s portfolio includes brands from the categories of fragrance and beauty, fashion apparel and accessories, jewellery and watches, home ware, lifestyle, gourmet food and cigars.
