C.A.O. Takes on Toraño Distribution
EXCLUSIVE: C.A.O. International Inc. and Toraño Cigars Inc. have signed a strategic distribution agreement that will bring the two companies closer together. Beginning January 2, C.A.O. will become the exclusive U.S. distributor of all Carlos Toraño cigars, plus Dunhill cigars. The change is intended to help increase cigar production for the two companies. C.A.O. cigars are made alongside Toraño cigars in Honduras and Nicaragua in shared factories overseen by the Fidel Olivas family.
Toraño is hoping to find a broader audience for its cigars with the deal, while C.A.O. hopes taking on Toraño's distribution will allow Toraño to focus more on the manufacturing end of the cigar business. Several C.A.O. and Toraño lines are on back order -- C.A.O. president Tim Ozgener mentioned C.A.O. America and Mx2 in particular. Toraño president Charlie Toraño said he was back ordered on Exodus 1959 and Casa Toraño.
"Hopefully you'll be seeing less of an issue of back orders," said Ozgener.
For much more on this story, see today's Cigar Insider.
