Majority Interest

Davidoff acquires controlling stake in Asia distributor Bluebell Cigars.

Following the acquisition of a 25% interest in its Asia distributor, Bluebell Cigars, last year, Davidoff announced last month the acquisition of a majority interest.

Bluebell Cigars will be renamed Davidoff of Geneva (Asia) and will continue to be led by Laurent De Rougemont as managing director, and who, in his new role as senior vice president for Asia, will report directly to Oettinger Davidoff CEO Hans-Kristian hoejsgaard.

Gerhard Anderlohr, Oettinger Davidoff’s current head of Asia, will take up a new role as vice president for business development, with a particular focus on China and the Chinese consumer.

Hoejsgaard said: “the 2015 agreement with Bluebell Cigars provided us with a right over time to acquire a majority interest in our long-standing Asian partner and the time was now right to make that move. The JV will continue to operate in the spirit of equal partnership, and Bluebell and Oettinger Davidoff will be equally represented on the company’s board of directors. I am delighted in this way to cement our relationship with Bluebell and further deepen our commitment to the Asia region, which continues to represent significant future potential for the Davidoff business.”

Ashley Micklewright, CEO of Bluebell Asia, added: “we are delighted Oettinger Davidoff Exercised their right to increase their interest in our joint venture and that we can now operate the business in the spirit both parties initially intended over a year ago. In today’s market, the impact of digital technologies and the harmonisation of markets across the globe has meant legacy relationships have had to be revisited and adapted so that the interest of parties remain aligned.”