Stijn Elbersen Becomes New Director of Global Sales and Marketing for Small Batch Traders

Another former long-time employee of STG is joining West Tampa Tobacco Company. Stijn Elbersen, now the owner of Small Batch Traders, a Dutch distributor of premium cigars, will be the new director of global sales and marketing. Elbersen was already helping his former collegues Rodriguez and Martinez as an independent sales consultant, but now joins the company.

“As friends and former colleagues at STG/General Cigar, we have a deep respect and trust of Stijn and his capabilities,” said Gus Martinez, president and co-owner of West Tampa Tobaco Co., via a press release. “He has been instrumental to this point in building our brand outside of the U.S. and we expect to see continued global growth in the near future. We are fortunate to not only have the opportunity to welcome someone who has a deep understanding of the industry but shares the same values that both Rick and I believe will be key to the success of our company.”

Previously Elbersen worked at Habanos SA, Swedish Match and STG. For the last, he helped to introduce General Cigars products on the Euripean market. Rick Rodriguez was the blender and the face of CAO, one of the prominent General Cigars brands. Eventually Elbersen was promoted to director of international sales and marketing before being forced out.

For the last year, Elbersen has been focussed on his own Small Batch Traders company and through that company he got involved with West Tampa Tobacco Company, and his former collegues.