Thursday, January 22 2009
Richmond, VA - General Cigar announced today that effective March 15, 2009, Ernesto Perez-Carrillo will leave Swedish Match International to start a new cigar business with his children.
"Stepping down from my position as president and cigar master of El Credito® was not an easy decision to make," said Perez-Carrillo. "I have benefited 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."
El Credito, which markets and manufactures such brands as La Gloria Cubana®, Serie R®, El Rico Habano®, El Credito International® and Artesanos de Miami®, was purchased by Swedish Match in 1999. Accordingly, the company will retain all of the El Credito factories, and will continue to manage tobacco sourcing, processing and blending for all El Credito brands. In addition, Swedish Match will retain all personnel involved in making, manufacturing and marketing critically-acclaimed El Credito cigars.
Lennart Freeman, president of Swedish Match International comments, "It has been a pleasure to work with Ernesto over the past decade. During his tenure with the company, Ernesto has been a teacher, transferring his knowledge and sharing his insights with the artisans who will continue to 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."
About El Credito
After fleeing Cuba, Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Sr. established the El Credito Cigar Factory in Miami's Little Havana district, where the company continues to operate today. Ernesto Perez-Carrillo (Jr.) took the helm of El Credito in the early 1980s and spent six years re-blending La Gloria Cubana, its flagship brand. Upon its release, Ernesto's re-blended La Gloria Cubana was met with rave reviews. Unanimous editorial, retail and consumer support of the company's subsequent products spurred the El Credito brands to international prominence. Thus, El Credito expanded to meet consumer demand by opening a second factory in Santiago, Dominican Republic.
