Ventura Cigar Co. Shifts to Standalone Business Model
Ventura Cigars is adjusting its organizational structure. The company, initially a division of Phillips & King International, a wholesale distributor of tobacco products, is shifting to a standalone business unit under Kretek International, Inc., the parent company of both Ventura and Phillips & King.
Under the new model, Ventura will have access to more resources from Kretek to develop, market and distribute its handmade cigar products, which include brands such as earned the No. 13 spot on Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25 Cigars of 2017.
“We’re excited to bring a cigar division directly under our wing.” Patrick Hurd, vice president of sales for Kretek International said. “Kretek will give Ventura Cigars the autonomy it needs to flourish, while providing some of the bigger picture infrastructure like staffing, warehousing and distributing.”
With the new organizational structure, Ventura is building a sales team with a direct-to-retail model for servicing tobacconists. The team will be led by Barry Bennett, Ventura Cigars’ national sales manager.
“We’re truly excited about this new phase,” says Michael Giannini, general manager of Ventura Cigars. “We’ve come a long way with Phillips and King, but as a standalone company, Ventura Cigars will be able to build out our brands and really put ourselves on the map as a big player in our industry.”
Ventura’s transition under the Kretek umbrella went into effect January 1st.
