Cigar company expands market

The tax-induced consolidation of the global cigar industry has found a participant in Cusano Cigars of Bradenton.

It was bound to happen, says Norman Sharp, president of the Cigar Association of America. Sharp and other experts in the tobacco industry believe that these deals come from the bureaucratic pressure of taxes and bans on tobacco and smoking. They predict more mergers and acquisitions in the industry are forthcoming.

The Oettinger Davidoff Group bought Cusano Cigars. Oettinger went through with the sale to tap revenue potential in the American market, which is the largest for premium cigars. This is the second American company it has acquired within the last month.