On the eve of the 2023 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show, Les Fines Lames announced a partnership with Vandermarliere Cigar Family (VCF). Under the agreement, Fred Vandermarliere of VCF Cigars becomes an investor in Les Fines Lames. In addition, Oliva Cigar Company, which is owned by VCF, will now become the distributor of Les Fines Lames.
Les Fines Lames is an accessories company based in France and is known for its Le Petit Cigar Knife and its Punch Bracelet. While Vandermarliere becomes an investor, the current owners Pierre Jourdan and Pablo Rodet will remain owners and continue to run the company.
“Via a colleague I got introduced to Pablo & Pierre many years ago and I always admired their dedication, thinking out-of-the-box and overall strive to go for excellent quality. In a traditional industry like the cigar industry, it is always nice to have people that want to come up with innovation. It brings fresh air and keeps us awake not to do the same thing all over again.”, says Frederik Vandermarliere of VCF Cigars in a press release. “For a start-up at the other hand, it is important to find the right partners to sustain growth and in the cigar industry; this isn’t very easy. I have the luck to be born in a warm nest and to be able to continue a business that existed for many years; but besides continuing what is old, I think it is my task as well to help young starters in our industry to reach new heights!”
The U.S. distribution agreement with Oliva Cigar Company is effective on September 1, 2023. The Oliva agreement will not modify any of the other distribution agreements the company has worldwide.
Oliva CEO Cory Bappert comments: “We have a premium cigar brand that is highly recognized and appreciated by American consumers. We take great care in our work, and we couldn’t be happier to add the most dynamic brand of premium cigar accessories made in France to the portfolio of our sales team.”
Pablo Rodet, Les Fines Lames CEO, added, “We share the same philosophy when it comes to excellent customer service. We like to be close to consumers, and many synergies will emerge from joint events.”
The PCA Trade Show opened July 7, 2023, in Las Vegas, Nevada.