“I travel to Central America every month,” he explains. “I know that technology allows me to do my job from a distance, but I am one of those who thinks that direct contact with your employees is fundamentally important. This year is my second year as head of global production, and I am very happy with the results we have obtained. Our team is focused, passionate and responsible.”
Before becoming the head of global production of Oettinger Davidoff, Espinal leaned on his varied experiences working all facets of tobacco production and cigarmaking at Tabadom to analyze best practices and to develop new production techniques that streamlined the production process and improved Davidoff’s already sterling reputation for producing quality products. Termed “crop to shop,” Espinal’s ideas incorporated a complete overhaul of the company’s production philosophy and engendered better cohesion among all of Davidoff’s assets at all levels of a product’s life. While Tabadom had already established its reputation as an industry leader in producing quality cigars, Espinal’s ideas have helped the entire Tabadom and Davidoff organizations to improve their processes even more.
“I have had the opportunity to analyze all the production processes in a very detailed way through all the jobs that I worked at Tabadom, and I planned a program of activities which we have gradually implemented throughout those years,” Espinal explains. “Based on the consolidation of what we are as a company and the efficiency of our processes, we have developed successful projects ensuring the consistency and quality of our cigars over time. The success of all the changes consisted mainly in the implementation of new quality controls throughout the production process, in the development and diversification of our tobacco seed bank and executing our plans for growing our own tobacco in Honduras. These steps enhance our ability to meet not only the highest quality standards but also the satisfaction of all of our aficionados.”
This story first appeared in the May/June 2019 issue of Tobacco Business magazine. Members of the tobacco industry are eligible for a complimentary subscription to our magazine. Click here for details.
– By Stephen A. Ross, senior editor of Tobacco Business Magazine.
