Oettinger Davidoff Ends Partnership with Spanish Distributor

Source from:  The Moodie Report  01/22/2014

Premium cigar manufacturer Oettinger Davidoff AG has brought its distribution in Spain in-house following the termination of its partnership with local distributor Proein SA as of 1 January 2014.

The Swiss company said distribution in Spain will be handled by the wholly-owned subsidiary, Davidoff of Geneva Iberia, which will retain the Proein employees.

During the transitional phase in the first half of 2014, it will be "business as usual", said Pedro Mazagatos Uriarte, who was appointed by Oettinger Davidoff to lead the future subsidiary Davidoff of Geneva Iberia. "We will continue to work as before," he said, adding: "Proein's José Maria Baselga will act as co-director until the new subsidiary is established. The sales and part-time personnel will be offered new employment contracts on equivalent terms."

Oettinger Davidoff CEO Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard said the establishment of the new company affirms its confidence in the Iberian Peninsula market.

"Spain is designated as one of Oettiger Davidoff's priority markets and on the back of the best economic data coming out of Spain since April 2011, I could not think of a more appropriate time to establish our own company in one of the world's most important cigar markets," said Hoejsgaard. "We will be able to take Davidoff and other Oettinger Davidoff brands to the next level, thanks to the strong platform Proein has been building over the last almost 40 years."

Likewise, Oettinger Davidoff Senior Vice President Europe Albert Manzone credited the Proein team's expertise with the company's success in Spain. He added: "We would like to thank Juan Antonio Pérez Ramirez and the Proein organization for their great commitment with which they have established not only Davidoff but also other brands from the Oettinger Davidoff product range in Spain." Enditem