RICHMOND, Va.--(Business Wire)--General Cigar announces today that it has acquired certain assets
of Havana Honeys Holdings LLC, a privately-held company that
manufactures and markets flavored cigars under the Havana Honeys(R)
brand. Included among the acquired assets are the Havana Honeys
trademark as well as inventory and related assets to support the
premium cigar segment of Havana Honeys. Terms of the purchase have not
been disclosed.
General Cigar's Chief Operating Officer Daniel Nunez explained,
"General Cigar's purchase of Havana Honeys represents an opportunity
to strengthen our position within the growing flavored segment of the
premium cigar category. The acquisition of such a prominent brand is a
great complement to our existing portfolio."
Under the agreement, General Cigar will assume the production,
marketing and selling activities associated with Havana Honeys
flavored premium cigars, one of the three business segments under the
brand. Joe Gold, the founder of Havana Honeys, will retain the
marketing and selling activities associated with the two other
business segments of Havana Honeys: the "little cigar" business and
operation of the Havana Honeys retail outlet at McCarran International
Airport in Las Vegas.
"I am pleased that General Cigar has acquired the Havana Honeys
brand, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary," Joe Gold
commented. "While Havana Honeys is enormously popular, General Cigar
has the sales and marketing muscle necessary to bring the brand to new
heights. I look forward to watching Havana Honeys grow under General
Cigar's expertise."
General Cigar currently participates in the flavored premium cigar
segment through Kahlua Cigars Delicioso by Drew Estate and Helix
Remix(R) cigar brands.
Established in 1997, Havana Honeys is one of the best-selling
premium flavored cigar brands in the U.S. Best known for its unique
collection of flavor profiles and innovative packaging, Havana Honeys
is largely credited with creating the demand for flavored cigars in
the premium category.
The acquisition will have no significant impact on the Swedish
Match Group.
About General Cigar
General Cigar Co. Inc., a subsidiary of Swedish Match AB,
manufactures and markets handcrafted cigars for the premium market.
Passionate about delivering cigars of the finest quality, General
Cigar produces Macanudo(R), Partagas(R), Cohiba(R), Punch(R),
Excalibur(R), Hoyo de Monterrey(R), La Gloria Cubana(R) and several
other industry-leading brands, which are sold through tobacconists
nationwide. In addition, the company grows its own proprietary
Connecticut Shade wrapper tobacco, as well as natural and candela
wrapper in the Dominican Republic. General Cigar also operates Club
Macanudo(R), a cigar bar in New York City. For more information,
please visit www.cigarworld.com.
About Havana Honeys
Havana Honeys, based in Las Vegas, is the leading innovator in
flavored premium cigars. The company, founded by Joe Gold, blends,
hand-rolls and flavors its cigars in the Dominican Republic, employing
the most skilled professionals at every step of production. The Havana
Honeys store holds a prime position in Las Vegas' McCarran
International Airport which yearly sees 40 million Vegas visitors as
they fly in and out of the world's gaming capital. This exposure has
led to explosive growth for the company. Its products are available at
Rite Aid, CVS and fine tobacconists nationwide.
(R) Havana Honeys, Helix Remix, Macanudo, Partagas, Cohiba,
Excalibur, Hoyo de Monterrey and Club Macanudo are registered
trademarks of General Cigar Co. Inc and/or affiliated companies.
General Cigar Co. Inc.
Victoria McKee, 732.721.0317 or 732.580.5215
vmckee@gcigar.com
or
Havana Honeys and Joe Gold
Riley Meredith
Preferred Public Relations & Marketing
702.254.5704
riley@preferredpublicrelations.com
Copyright Business Wire 2007
