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ERNESTO PEREZ-CARRILLO GOING SOLO |
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In the 1950s, Ernesto Perez-Carrillo was not simply the owner of the El Credito Cigar Co. in Cuba, he was also an  important politician there.
Now Ernesto Perez-Carrillo, Jr. a very good friend off all of us here at C.I.G.A.R. is going back out on his own.
General Cigar announced that as of March 15, Perez-Carrillo will leave the company to begin a new cigar venture with his family, especially his children Lissette and Ernesto III.
“Stepping down from my position as president and cigar master of El Credito was not an easy decision to make,” he said in a statement. “I have benefitted greatly from having had the opportunity to work with the largest premium sales force in the country, and have enjoyed dedicated marketing support that has ultimately generated international demand, as well as unwavering retail and consumer support for my brands.”
General purchased the El Credito brands, inventory and factories in Miami and in the Dominican Republic in 1999 for an undisclosed sum, but one which provides Perez-Carrillo with the capital necessary to start a new venture. General will continue to maintain ownership and market El Credito’s brands, which include El Credito, El Rico Habano, Flor de Lis, La Gloria Cubana, La Gloria Cubana Serie R, La Gloria Cubana Artesanos de Miami and Los Statos De Luxe.
Lennart Freeman, the president of General’s parent company, Swedish Match, noted that “Ernesto has been a teacher, transferring his knowledge and sharing his insights with the artisans who will continue provide the products that premium cigar consumers so richly enjoy. We look forward to maintaining our relationship with Ernesto and wish him great success in his new venture.”
However, in addition to building an enormous following for his La Gloria Cubana brand, Perez-Carrillo has a considerable personal following and the El Credito brands are closely identified with him by many smokers. He’ll be using that as the springboard for his new efforts, as he submitted two brand names for U.S. trademark registration recently.
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 07 February 2009 )
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