16
TOBACCO BUSINESS
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014
NEWS & TRENDS
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014
Miguel Schoedel
Joins Toraño
Company names new national sales
manager.
Industry veteran Miguel Schoedel has joined
Toraño Family Cigar Company as national sales
manager. Schoedel reports to President Charlie
Toraño, and his responsibilities are two-fold: over-
seeing the existing nationwide “Toraño Team” of
manufacturers’ representatives and expanding
the sales force to meet future company growth.
Prior to joining Toraño, Schoedel worked in the
premium cigar industry for 10 years, primarily in
sales. His experience includes working indirectly
with the Toraños for three years, and then another
three years as a direct Toraño sales rep covering
Great Lakes states from his base in Cincinnati,
Ohio. For the near term, Schoedel will travel na-
tionally but remain based in Cincinnati; then he
plans to relocate to the Toraño’s headquarters in
Miami.
“Based on Miguel’s outstanding performance as
a Toraño rep, we knew he was our best choice for
the position,” says Charlie
Toraño. “Infectious enthu-
siasm, passion for cigars
and extensive knowledge of
the marketplace are his key
strengths. We look for great
things from Miguel.”
Expansion for 7-20-4 Cigars
The growing premium cigar maker unveils a
new headquarters.
7-20-4Cigars isundergoing thefinishing toucheson itsnew9,000-square-
foot office and warehouse set to open in the spring of 2014. “[Our] new
world headquarters would have been only a 10-minute trolley ride from
the original 7-20-4 factory on Elm Street in Manchester, New Hamp-
shire,” notes Rick Ardito, vice president of sales and marketing. “Kurt A.
Kendall, our company founder and president, is intent on paying hom-
age to what once was the world’s largest premium cigar manufacturer:
the creation of R.G. Sullivan in 1874.”
Ardito credits 2013’s marketplace success at “brand building” and
media acclaim for 7-20-4 for the company’s expansion into a larger
facility. “Kurt is grateful for all the generous support he has received by
retailers nationwide, fueling our penetration in[to] the rapidly growing
boutique cigar market,” he says. “He is fulfilling his vision, which from
the outset was to perpetuate Sullivan’s mottos: ‘Blended for every
palate’ and ‘Quality in every case.’ Their ratings confirm [that] he has
accomplished that.” As part of that expansion, the company recently
announced naming Taylor Douglas Hall to the newly created position
of director of inside sales.
In 2014, the company plans to focus on “eventing,” or spending time
with retailers and cigar lovers alike, says Ardito.
With new Director of Inside Sales Taylor Douglas Hall and
a larger company headquarters, 7-20-4 Cigars is ready to
target a larger customer base.
Vapor World Expo Launched
A new all-vapor trade show to take place in Chicago.
TMG International has announced Vapor
World Expo, an all vapor business-to-busi-
ness conference and exposition that will
take place at the Rosemont Convention
Center, located just minutes fromO’Hare In-
ternational Airport in Chicago, Illinois.
“The market for electronic and vapor
devices is growing worldwide as more
smokers are turning to these products as
an alternative to the traditional tobacco
products,” says Ed O’Connor, president/
CEO of TMG International, in explaining the
show’s premise. “Vapor World Expo is the
first of its kind—a trade show that will bring
the world of vapor together for two days to
meet, do business and learn what to expect
as the vapor phenomenon continues to ex-
pand across the globe. Offering enormous
consumer appeal, vapor products are posi-
tioned to take over a goodpercentage of the
market as more health-conscious individu-
als purchase these products.”
Expected buyers include retail stores,
wholesalers, distributors, convenience
stores, headshops and many others
who want to keep up with the vapor
market expansion.
Vapor World Expo 2014 sets the stage for
innovation, product safety, harm reduction,
education, and market profitability for those
individuals involved in themanufacture, dis-
tribution and sale of these products.
Reuter Exposition Services, show man-
agement for Tobacco Plus Convenience
Expo, will assume the show management
responsibilities for this new launch.
