Altadis U.S.A. Establishes Premium Cigar Division..

March 10, 2011 - FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- To align U.S. cigar operations with the overall organizational structure of parent company Imperial Tobacco Group PLC, Altadis U.S.A. has announced an organizational restructuring.

Altadis (Alliance Tobacco Distributors) born from the merger of Spain's Tabacalera and France's Seita SA (F.STA) state tobacco monopolies.. Imperial Tobacco successfully concludes acquisition of Altadis..)

Habanos, a joint venture between the Cuban government and Altadis, a unit of British-based Imperial Tobacco, produces and sells some of the world's best-known cigars, including Monte Cristo, Cohiba, Romeo y Julieta and Partagas. (Habanos - after hurricanes can survive using tobacco reserves..)

In order to strengthen U.S. business opportunities and to maximize market capabilities and its worldwide brand portfolio, the company has established a new Premium Cigar Division within the United States. Javier Estades, formerly sales and marketing director for Europe and international markets, has been appointed to the new position of general manager for premium cigars U.S.A., reporting to Fernando Dominguez, premium cigar director worldwide for Bristol, K.K.-based Imperial Tobacco.

Jim Colucci, executive vice president sales and marketing, who recently announced his retirement effective July 31, 2011, will work closely with Javier and Fernando to ensure a smooth transition until his retirement.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Altadis U.S.A. is a leader in the U.S. premium cigar market. The company manufactures and markets brands such as Montecristo, H. Upmann, Romeo y Julieta, Trinidad, Vega Fina, Onyx Reserve, Don Diego, Saint Luis Rey, Gispert and many others. Phillies cigars are manufactured by Altadis U.S.A., Inc., which is the American subsidiary of Spanish-based Altadis S.A. Dutch Masters cigars are currently manufactured and sold by Altadis U.S.A., Inc., in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. They are machine rolled cigars, and come in two main varieties: full size cigars, and smaller cigarillos colloquially known as "mini-dutches.

Reference: Altadis U.S.A. Establishes Premium Cigar Division Restructuring better aligns U.S. operations with parent, Imperial Tobacco, CSP Daily News, 2/23/2011.