Oettinger Davidoff AG, the Swiss company behind a portfolio of premium cigar brands, has publicly announced a change in its ownership structure that places the business in the hands of the next generation of the founding family.
Oettinger Davidoff disclosed that Lilian Schaffner-Schneider and Christine Ryhiner-Schneider, daughters of longtime owner Dr. Ernst Schneider, have transferred the company’s entire share capital to their direct descendants. The exact identities of the individuals receiving the shares were not specified in the announcement.
The press release characterized the transaction as a full transfer of ownership within the Schneider family while maintaining the company’s status as a family-owned enterprise.
Under the revised ownership arrangement:
- The current leadership team will remain unchanged.
- The Schneider family will continue to hold two seats on Oettinger Davidoff’s six-member board of directors.
Oettinger Davidoff emphasized that no adjustments to the company’s executive management were planned in connection with the ownership change.
Oettinger Davidoff AG is a privately held Swiss company known for producing and distributing premium handmade cigars. Its brand portfolio includes Davidoff, AVO, Camacho, Cusano, The Griffin’s, Private Stock, and Zino variants. The company operates manufacturing facilities in the Dominican Republic and Honduras and maintains a global network of retail and wholesale channels, including Davidoff flagship stores and partner outlets in more than 130 countries.
In the press release announcing the transition, Domenico Scala, Chairman of the Board of Directors, described the transfer as a milestone in the company’s 150-year history. Scala stated the goal of the ownership transition is to support continuity in the company’s longstanding strategic direction and preserve its position in the premium cigar segment.