Colibri Back in Business

David Savona
Posted: June 16, 2009

Colibri, one of the biggest names in cigar lighters, is back in business. In April, Alliance Time, a New York City company, purchased the Providence, Rhode Island, lighter brand for undisclosed terms.

The new company is known as CST Enterprises LLC, with headquarters in East Providence, Rhode Island, the same building and offices where Colibri Group made its headquarters.

Colibri Group shut down and went into receivership on January 15, laying off 280 employees. The sudden departure was a shock to the cigar industry.

The return brings one of the biggest lighter names back to the cigar business—Colibri lighters have been made since 1928.

"We have owners now that are entrepreneurs, not private-equity guys, with capital behind them," said Mann. "What hasn't changed is the sales and management team, and the heritage of the brand."

Mann, who was with Colibri in its prior form, said the company's first order of business was taking care of the returns that were sitting since the January shutdown.

"We're replacing everything with brand-new lighters," Mann said. Consumers who purchased Colibri lighters will have their lifetime guarantees fulfilled by the new owners.

"We had a lifetime guarantee—we're going to honor that," said Mann. New lighters sold by Colibri will carry a twoyear warrantee.

In late May, Colibri made a deal to bring back its highest end line of cigar accessories, those bearing the Tonino Lamborghini logo, which retail in the $150 to $200 price range.

See Also: