Oettinger Davidoff, the leading manufacturer of premium
cigars, has acquired a 25% interest in Bluebell Cigars (Asia) Ltd, its distributor for Asia, excluding China. In other news, the Basel-based cigar company has struck a deal with a distributor for the Chinese market.
The agreement with Blubell, effective January 1, 2015, provides Oettinger Davidoff the right over time
to acquire a majority interest in the company.
Oettinger Davidoff CEO Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard said:
“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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| China is critical to growth, says Oettinger Davidoff CEO Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard |
Bluebell (Asia) CEO Ashley Micklewright stated: “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.”
Bluebell has been a pioneer and leader in the
distribution of luxury brands in Asia since 1954. The family-owned company
represents more than 50 luxury lifestyle brands in eight countries, operating
500 stores and employing over 2,300 staff. These brands include fragrance and
beauty, fashion apparel and accessories, jewellery and watches, homeware,
lifestyle, gourmet food and cigars.
Sparkle Roll named China distributor
Sparkle Roll named China distributor
In other Asia news, Oettinger Davidoff has signed an
agreement for China with Sparkle Roll Group. The two companies have
entered a framework agreement in relation to the formation of a joint venture
for Davidoff cigars and cigar accessories in China.
"The signing of this framework agreement heralds a
new era in our relationship with Sparkle Roll,” Hoejsgaard said. “Just a few
weeks after announcing our equity stake in Bluebell Cigars (Asia) Ltd, we
further strengthen our commitment to Asia and China in particular. China
represents the single largest business opportunity for Davidoff in our time and
I am convinced that in partnering with Sparkle Roll we will be able to exploit
that opportunity to its fullest."
Ivan Tong, chairman of Sparkle Roll Group, added:
"We are excited about the prospect of teaming up with Davidoff, one of the
world’s leading luxury brands. With Sparkle Roll's track record in China's
luxury sector, I am convinced that we can accelerate the brand development of
Davidoff in the world’s premier luxury market."
Sparkle Roll distributes luxury goods in China,
including branded watches from Richard Mille, DeWitt and Parmigiani, Boucheron
jewellery, and an exclusive licensing agreement using trademarks of Royal
Asscher. The company has luxury car dealerships as well as partnerships with
renowned French fine wine suppliers. In November 2014, the group entered into a
licensing agreement with Italian menswear brand Corneliani for its
non-exclusive right to sell clothing and other menswear products in China
and Macau.
