Henri’s 100 years

It’s 100 years since Henri Wintermans first started his first cigar factory. Dominic Roskrow travelled to Maastricht to see how his company is celebrating the past and looking to the future.

On the face of it Maastricht is a one trick town, famous for a treaty that bound Europe together and nothing much else. Even the name conjures up an image of bland Eurocratland. And where exactly is it? Belgium? Germany? The Netherlands? Unless you’re a bureaucrat or perhaps a law student, it’s not the sort of place you’re likely to go to.

That is, unless you’re invited to celebrate the fact that Henri Wintermans started his own cigar-making business 100 years ago this year.

And that’s exactly why cigar retailers, salesmen and journalists braved Arctic weather and travelled across the globe to central Europe recently.

When you think about it, the Dutch town – it’s just inside the border with Belgium should you be wondering – is a fine meeting place for a celebrating a glorious centenary; it’s at the heart of Europe, boasts stylish hotels, has excellent transport links and is soaked in history.

For Henri Wintermans, it’s also as good a place as any to celebrate its national heritage. For two days the company played host to a mix of guests from as far afield as Australia, Canada and Iceland.

That Henri Wintermans moved with his brother from rolling cigars to running a factory a century ago is cause for celebration in itself. It also happens to be 70 years since he struck out alone and formed his own business with an eye on the world export market. But the Maastricht meeting had a far more practical purpose, too.

For as the world of tobacco enters an increasingly uncertain.....

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By Dominic Roskrow

Section : Spotlight

Page number : 10

Published in Cigar Buyer Issue 1 on 01/06/2004.

This article is 100 months old and some information provided may be time sensitive. Please check all details of events, tours, opening times and other information before travelling or making arrangements.



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	Henri’s 100 years It’s 100 years since Henri Wintermans first started his first cigar factory. Dominic Roskrow travelled to Maastricht to see how his company is celebrating the past and looking to the future. On the face of it Maastricht is a one trick town, famous for a treaty that bound Europe together and nothing much else. Even the name conjures up an image of bland Eurocratland. And where exactly is it? Belgium? Germany? The Netherlands? Unless you’re a bureaucrat or perhaps a law student, it’s not the sort of place you’re likely to go to. That is, unless you’re invited to celebrate the fact that Henri Wintermans started his own cigar-making business 100 years ago this year. And that’s exactly why cigar retailers, salesmen and journalists braved Arctic weather and travelled across the globe to central Europe recently. When you think about it, the Dutch town – it’s just inside the border with Belgium should you be wondering – is a fine meeting place for a celebrating a glorious centenary; it’s at the heart of Europe, boasts stylish hotels, has excellent transport links and is soaked in history. For Henri Wintermans, it’s also as good a place as any to celebrate its national heritage. For two days the company played host to a mix of guests from as far afield as Australia, Canada and Iceland. That Henri Wintermans moved with his brother from rolling cigars to running a factory a century ago is cause for celebration in itself. It also happens to be 70 years since he struck out alone and formed his own business with an eye on the world export market. But the Maastricht meeting had a far more practical purpose, too. For as the world of tobacco enters an increasingly uncertain..... To read the rest of this article you can buy this issue or subscribe to Cigar Buyer to have every issue delivered direct to your door. By Dominic Roskrow Section : Spotlight Page number : 10 Published in Cigar Buyer Issue 1 on 01/06/2004. Subscribe Buy this issue More from this issue Preview other issues This article is 100 months old and some information provided may be time sensitive. Please check all details of events, tours, opening times and other information before travelling or making arrangements. Copyright Cigar Buyer © 1999-2012. All rights reserved. To use or reproduce part or all of this article please contact us for details of how you can do so legally.