Oettinger Davidoff Appoints General Manager for Planned Subsidiary in Germany

Oettinger Davidoff AG has appointed Olaf Ruf as the future General Manager and Vice President of Davidoff of Geneva Germany, a new subsidiary it intends to create after terminating the existing collaboration with its German sales partner Arnold André. Based in Hamburg, Davidoff of Geneva Germany will start operating with January 1,  2017.

“Germany is one of the most important markets in the world for Oettinger Davidoff AG,” states Oettinger Davidoff CEO Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard, announcing the appointment of Olaf Ruf. “Competent industry experts are vital for the successful marketing of our portfolio in this market. With Olaf, we have brought one of the most capable of them on board.”

Martin Kaufmann, Senior Vice President Europe & Global Travel Retail, to whom Olaf Ruf will report, states: “I am confident that Olaf will bring a totally new momentum to our business in Germany. I am very much looking forward to a close and successful collaboration.”

The present country manager for Germany, Mario Samec, will continue to act as a link to the current sales partner Arnold André until the end of the year, while simultaneously setting up the new sales structure with Olaf Ruf, as a future member of his management team.

The 43- year-old German Olaf Ruf has extensive experience and a close-knit network in the German and international tobacco business and will act as an external consultant during the course of the year, heading the planning and preparation for taking over the operative business at the end of the year.

Olaf Ruf has worked in various internationally active companies in the industry and was a member of the management of Imperial Tobacco and Reemtsma, among others.