Smokeshop

14 SMOKESHOP April 2016 Industry NEWS >>>PRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION, REGULATION, TRADE Bits&Pieces > To commemorate the 25th anniversary of Fuente & Newman Premium Cigars, the Newman Family surprised the Fuente family on March 11 with a ceremony led by Tampa mayor Bob Buckhorn unveiling a new street name: a section of Second Avenue in Ybor City adjacent to A. Fuente Cigars has been renamed Carlos Fuente's Way. In February, Fuente Sr. also broke ground for the company's new worldwide distribution center in Ybor City on the same block. > For the 52-week period ending March 26, Reynolds American (Vuse) led e-cig- arette unit sales in Nielsen- tracked (convenience) sales channels with a 46% share, according to Wells Fargo Securities, followed by Fontem Ventures (blu), 16.5%; Altria (MarkTen, MarkTen XL, and Green Smoke), 8.9%; Logic, 8.4%; Njoy, 4.4%; CB Distributors (21st Century Smoke, Vapin Plus), 4%; and Ballantyne Brands, 2.95.% tamboril, d.r.—Premium hand made cigar maker Cuban Stock Cigar Co. opened its new factory in the tax-free zone in Tamboril, Dominican Republic in late February. "After 20 years in our two previous facto- ries, and with the pressures to increase out- put as our reputation grows, it was time for this new facility," said Yaniv Levy, president and founder of the Bala Cynwood, Penn.- based company. "Before the move, our total production space was less than 10,000 square feet. We now have 20,000 square feet, enough to carry us well into the future. "Tamboril's tabacaleros are among the country's best. Since better working con- ditions create better cigars, these artisans deserve a comfortable, uncrowded, well-lit and temperate environment. The new facil- ity is a major improvement in that respect. Tamboril is closer to workers' homes, easing their transportation needs. The high-bay construction is cooler and brighter, with new, modern and more functional facilities." Levy has already hired 40 new workers, with plans to grow that total to 100 as the new facility continues to gear up. Instead of being limited to 1.8 million cigars a year, the capac- ity to produce 10 million annually is a reality. For example, aging and fermenting rooms are now a generous 1,200 square feet each. Levy estimates his cigar output will rise from pres- ent levels to three million before long. "With over twenty active brands," he explained, "many with several shapes and sizes, we didn't wait a moment too long in meeting that goal. "Cuban Stock is known for the quality of its cigars, using the best tobacco grades and long fermentation," Levy continued. "This is true with bundles and cigarillos, value-priced cigars like Everyday Joe, and boutique pre- mium cigars with up to ten years' aging— Reserve, Triumph, Limitado, and 231. At present, the Chubbys and Delicioso lines are runaway best-sellers, and their production will be more than adequate." Although Cuban Stock Cigars does not sell direct to consumers, its website at CubanStockCigars.com allows visitors to browse the entire company catalog. To com- plement the increased output, Levy is prepar- ing to build a comprehensive sales force, and invites interested parties to contact him. Cuban Stock Cigar Company Brings New Dominican Factory Online, Doubling Production Capacity Yaniv Levy, president of Cuban Stock Cigar Co., Tamboril, Dominican Republic, has opened a new, large-capacity hand rolling facility.

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