Multiple sources have confirmed to Cigar Coop that Quality Importers’ President Michael Cellucci is departing the company. Cellucci is best known for his tenure at Drew Estate where he rose to the position of President of the company. Cellucci would depart Drew Estate in July 2016 and land six months later at Quality Importers as […]
In recent years, Mexico’s Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations have been popular themes in the cigar industry. This year XIKAR pays homage to the celebration with the release of the XIKAR Limited Edition Las Calacas Xi1 cutter series. The series made its debut at the 2018 IPCPR Trade Show and is now […]
Earlier this year one of the biggest stories was the announcement that Quality Importers had acquired XIKAR, one of the industry leaders in cigar accessories. XIKAR has continued to operate as its own business unit, but it was adjacent to the Quality Importers group. Following the acquisition, Kurt Van Keppel and Scott Almsberger joined the company […]
At the 2018 IPCPR Trade Show, XIKAR will introduce the XFlame, a new electronic, rechargeable lighter offering. This is a lighter that does not use butane and does not produce a flame. Instead, it uses a circular burning plate that is designed to evenly toast the foot of your cigar. It functions without emitting hydrocarbons […]
Quality Importers (QI) has a new Executive Vice President of Sales, and its a name familiar to many people in the cigar accessories segment of the business. Today, the Weston, Florida based company named longtime industry veteran Les Mann to the position. Mann is best known for his long tenure with Colibri. The move comes […]
It’s a jam-packed Special Edition #23. For our Big Story, Bear and I talk about our Davidoff Viaje Al Origen visit to the Davidoff operations in the Dominican Republic. Plus we revisit our lab experiment of aging a Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Todos Las Dias cigar; discuss some more of the recent acquisitions in the […]
January 31st, 2018 might be one of those days in the cigar industry that will be etched in the annals of history. Here at Cigar Coop, it certainly will be It is funny how news breaks in the cigar industry. It comes in waves with some days busier than other days. January 31st was one […]
The first major acquisition of 2018 has occurred. Quality Importers Trading Company, in conjunction with Svoboda Capital Partners LLC, has acquired XIKAR Inc. XIKAR is a leading cigar accessories company based in Kansas City, Missouri and best known for its product lifetime warranty. As a part of the acquisition, XIKAR co-founders Kurt Van Keppel and […]
Bob Moreno, who had a successful management career in sales and marketing for premium cigars and cigar accessories, passed away this Tuesday, June 6, 2017. He was 59 years old. After a successful career at Coca Cola, where he was a National Sales Manager, Bob set his sights on the cigar industry. In 2009, he joined Xikar […]
Boveda Inc, has announced it has entered into a long term agreement with XIKAR, Inc by which Boveda will supply XIKAR with private label (Xikar branded) custom printed 2-way humidity control products. While Boveda will continue to manufacture and distribute its own branded products, the agreement with XIKAR allows Boveda to expand its base for […]
