Quality Importers Acquires Palió, Shifts Production To China
Humidor and cigar accessory distributor Quality Importers Trading Co. of Weston, Florida, has acquired the Palió cigar cutter brand from Mark Aub and Brothers of the Leaf L.L.C. Quality Importers intends to expand the sales of the brand and introduce new, customized versions of the products, especially its well-known double guillotine cigar cutter, which features contoured finger rests on each end and a beveled surface, allowing it to double as a cigar holder.
One of Quality's goals is to create a cutter with a metal body—current Palió bodies are made from composite, carbon fiber or wood—and larger models to accommodate thicker cigar sizes. The company also intends to customize Paliós for cigar companies.
The current portfolio of cutters range in suggested retail price from $44.95 to $59.95. A representative confirmed that Quality Importers has changed the factory, sending production overseas to China. The cutters were previously made in the United States. Quality Importers said Palió's warranty and replacement policy would continue as before.
This article first appeared in the December 1, 2015 issue of Cigar Insider.
