More shakeup at CAO
 

Now the president, Tim Ozgener is leaving CAO. Will post press release soon...

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

Release:

TIM OZGENER DEPARTS PREMIUM CIGAR BUSINESS

Richmond, VA—General Cigar announces that CAO President Tim Ozgener has decided to pursue personal business interests in his hometown of Nashville, TN, thus moving on from his 16-year career in the premium cigar business.

Ozgener, son of company founder Cano A Ozgener, joined the original family business in 1994 and has since been instrumental in building one of the most renowned and respected brands in the premium cigar category.

Dan Carr, president of General Cigar said, “We remain committed to CAO and are grateful to Tim for his contributions, not only to the brand but also for sharing his knowledge with the people who will continue his legacy. While we will miss Tim’s insight and passion, we respect his choice and wish him well.”

Gary Hyams, chairman of CAO International commented, “It has been a privilege to work with Tim over the last three and a half years and to have had the opportunity to share in his passion for CAO. I wish him and his family all the very best for the future.”

Ozgener commented, “It is with a heavy heart that I leave CAO. I look back at my 16-year career with the company with great pride and I will miss the friendships that I have made over the years in the premium cigar industry. I am confident that the team at General Cigar will carry the CAO brand to new heights and I wish them the utmost continued success.”

Tim Ozgener was named president of CAO in 2006. He is largely credited with bringing innovative packaging, new flavor profiles and unique marketing concepts to the brand which has continued to thrive since the company’s inception during the cigar boom.

About Scandinavian Tobacco Group
Scandinavian Tobacco Group which purchased CAO in 2007 has recently completed a global merger with Swedish Match AB, combining all the tobacco business of Scandinavian Tobacco Group A/S with the cigars and pipe tobacco business of Swedish Match AB (with the exception of its US mass market cigars). This new company, which has retained the name Scandinavian Tobacco Group, is now the second largest cigar company in the world, holding more than 30% of the U.S. premium cigar market and producing more than 2.5 billion cigars and 1,650 tons of pipe tobacco annually at the Group’s factories in Europe, Asia, the Caribbean and Central America. For more information, visit www.st-group.com.

About General Cigar
General Cigar Co. Inc., a division of Scandinavian Tobacco Group, manufactures and markets handcrafted cigars for the premium market. Committed to delivering cigars of the finest quality, General Cigar’s skilled artisans produce Macanudo®, Cohiba®, La Gloria Cubana®, Punch®, CAO®, Partagas®, Hoyo de Monterrey®, Excalibur® and several other leading premium brands in the company’s Dominican, Honduran and Nicaraguan factories. In addition, the company cultivates proprietary tobacco which is used exclusively in its blends. General Cigar also operates Club Macanudo®, a cigar bar in New York City. Based in Richmond, VA, General Cigar sells through tobacconists nationwide and also exports select products to 62 countries. For more information, please visit www.cigarworld.com.

® Macanudo, Cohiba, La Gloria Cubana, Punch, CAO, Partagas, Hoyo de Monterrey, Excalibur and Club Macanudo are registered trademarks of General Cigar Co. Inc.

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Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

Wow! I wonder if him and Sam Leccia will team up?

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

Wow that's nuts whats going on with people leaving lately?

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

Something interesting to me is the wording: "Tim Ozgener has decided to pursue personal business interests in his hometown of Nashville, TN, thus moving on from his 16-year career in the premium cigar business"

Sounds like he's leaving cigars altogether, which I find very hard to believe...

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

Funny Dan...I had the same thought. :r :r

CAO MX3 meets the Cain Maduro Toro = CM57 :noon :noon

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

:r:r:r

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

interesting
thanks for the info

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

No... leaving the premium business would be consistent with teaming up with Sam. :D Just messing with the word play here so dont get all worked up Sam fans. :noon

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

if him and sam team up they could create some great cigars.

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

I'm wondering, with the merger with General, if there's some retirement bonuses being offered to reduce duplication of personnel?

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

I'm greatful I got to meet him while he was still working for them. He's a great guy and I'm sure he has great things in store for the future!

Who knows maybe he's going to finally pursue that career as a comedian!!

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

"Scandinavian Tobacco Group which purchased CAO in 2007..."

If the Ozgeners already sold the company, then he probably doesn't need the job, lol. Furthermore, It's probably hard to be as passionate about a company once you no longer own it.

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

Wow, 16 years with CAO. It only took me 2 weeks to get tired of CAOs ;s

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

One does grow out of them rather quickly :D

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

haha, I gotta agree with you there. I haven't bought one in years.

It seems like he did for CAO what Steve Jobs did for Apple; put an average product in a stylish and attractive package. Step 2: collect profit. No matter what you think of the cigars themselves, I don't think anyone can argue that he's not a successful business person.

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

I wonder what its going to do to the cigars Not that I don't careabout the people but I smoke and enjoy the cigars.

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

This is very saddening to hear. The CAO Gold was my first real intro into fine cigars. :(
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Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

Yeah no kidding lol..:D

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

Im not to surprised to hear that Tim is staying in TN. Thats his home and when there was talk of moving CAO to Virgina, I had a hard time thinking that he would move. Maybe we have another E.P. Carrillo situation brewing.

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

I have to disagree with the average product... I think CAO makes an excellent product. Though it may not appeal to everyone's taste... and though you may grow tired of them after a while... who can truthfully say that their product is average? It's been my experience that with CAO you have quite a few selections of better than average or even exceptional quality. (CAO Brazilia anyone?)

They propelled themselves out of the cigar boom... innovated and even revolutionized the way the entire industry thinks about packaging and POS materials... as you mentioned.

They may not have lead the world in cigar sales but they are good at what they do... I think to compare CAO as a whole to an "Average Cigar" is like comparing a Xikar or a Palio to an Average Cutter... Sure there are better cutters out there. And Sure... there are more expensive cutters out there. But to get a cutter of very high quality at an average price... that's the miracle of the modern cigar maker... if you paid what you really should for a cigar... I guarantee none of us would be smoking nearly as much as we do. Either that or we'd all be smoking White Owl Grape.

I'm not trying to get on anyone's case... or taking it personally or anything... but it really is the end of an era... with the exit of Tim Ozgener from CAO... the number of cigar makers that were actually around and kicking during the boom is dwindling lower and lower everyday... that's not to say we should all live in the past but it's like a part of our culture as cigar smokers. And when our culture loses a pioneer, it takes it's toll. Whether you like the cigars or not... respect is due.

I hope that he does well in whatever he decides to pursue... but hopefully we will not lose his experience and contributions to our passion of cigars. As we all know... once the black leaf is in your blood... you can quit... but you'll never forget.

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

They are above average in my opinion; the Gold series is solid (Regular, Maduro, Vintage), and the Traviata is excellent by most all accounts. Add in the regulars like Brazilia and Italia, I think they are a solid company.

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

When CAO and General merged a couple years back I couldn't help but make a bad joke:

"Let's see, CAO has made the Brazilia, Italia, and hybrid Bratalia lines. Can we expect to see a new cigar called the Gen-Italia soon?" :noon

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

hey, get your facts and logic outa here.

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

money!

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

The man does have talent!!!:tu

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

:r :noon

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

Tim Ozgener
tim@tozgener.com

Today, I find myself in need of clarifying several matters pursuant to the recent press release that was distributed regarding my departure from CAO. It is true that after 16 years I am stepping down from my position at CAO and will no longer be involved with the company effective immediately. The reasons that lead me to this most difficult decision, however, may not be as transparent.

The reality of the matter is that due to the recent merger between Scandinavian Tobacco Group (ST) and Swedish Match, a decision was made to fold CAO into General Cigar Co. (GCC), resulting in a physical relocation of CAO headquarters to Richmond, VA, from its current location of Nashville, TN. After conferring with my family, my decision was made to remain in Nashville.

Furthermore, while I have stepped down from my role as CAO President, it is a misnomer to say that I have completely abandoned the premium Cigar industry. While I am leaving the manufacturer side of this great business, I will continue my efforts on the political and social fronts in aiding to lobby against egregious anti-smoking legislation and taxation wherever and whenever I am able, as I have done during the past several years. In addition, I will continue to serve on the board of several trade organizations.

In closing, my wish is that the CAO brand will continue to prosper and grow under the watch of General Cigar Co., and that CAO loyalists will continue to enjoy their brand of choice for years to come. As I stand upon the closing page of this chapter, however, I do so with a desire in my heart to make certain that the epilogue is written with accuracy and goodwill.

Sincerely yours,

Tim Ozgener

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

:tu

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

Well Said!!

Though I don't purchase them as often as I used to, I still have a drawer in my humi with all CAO sticks (have 8-10 different types). When I smoke one on occasion, it is still enjoyable to me!!

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

I just smoked a Brazilia Chango last night!!!

Not bad at all!!!:tu

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

While I don't enjoy all CAO cigars, I do enjoy some of their lines. Recently found out I really like the Soprano "Boss" cigar (didn't care as much for the Soldier or Associate). On the other hand, their highly rated Vision cigar fell completely flat for me :sh

But yeah...I've gotta say, whether or not you like CAO cigars, the guy has done a really good job of making it a successful company, and he seems like a good guy supporting cigar rights as well. Sad to see somebody like this leave the business.