Paul Bugge became an independent businessman by selling cigars and tobacco products in Villingen-Schwenningen.
1951
1962
He took over the tobacco and candy shop Jauch in the Merkur department store, later to become the headquarters of the Bugge organization.
1962
bis 1980
The chain store Zigarrenhaus Bugge now has 4 stores in the Villingen-Schwenningen area.
1997
Paul Bugge receives the Federal Cross of Merit for his social commitment in the city of Villingen-Schwenningen.
1997
1998
The businessman and passionate cigar smoker, Norbert Höldke, buys Zigarrenhaus Bugge, focussing on exclusive premium cigars.
1999
The Zigarren-Bugge.de online shop is launched and a despatch department for cigars established.
1999
2001
An own tax warehouse for customs clearance of imported cigar brands is approved.
The import of new cigar brands from Latin – and South America could go ahead.
2006
The founding of Paul Bugge Distributors with new administrative, dispatch and logistics offices in Karl St., Villingen-Schwenningen.
Paul Bugge gets the exclusive distribution rights for the cigar brand Cusano.
Paul Bugge for the first time exhibits at the world’s biggest tobacco trade fair, Inter-Tabac in Dortmund in a Paul Bugge booth of 120m², presenting Paul Bugge’s product portfolio on imported cigars to visitors and tobacco merchants.
2006
2007
Paul Bugge Distributors initiates an own sales force comprising three representatives to attend to its customers.
2008
Paul Bugge takes over the long-established cigar store Zigarrenhaus Dietz in Ettlingen.
2008
2010
Paul Bugge starts blending its own cigar brands in Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic and presents the first prototypes to cigar lovers and tobacco trade stores.
2011
60 Years Paul Bugge
The year of the anniversary is marked by an own cigar series “60 Aniversario”, created especially for this occasion.2011
2012
Leonel Cigars presents an exclusive, limited luxury humidor – an eyecatcher and highlight at the Inter-Tabac 2012.
2014
The Leonel Taste of Excellence Tour starts as an event tour through Germany presenting the first Leonel Cigars series.
2014
2015
Paul Bugge Distribution takes over the distribution of the newcomer brand Oscar Valladares from Honduras for Germany and Switzerland.
2016
Paul Bugge’s own sales force attends to export customers and the company also assumes responsibility for the European distribution of brands in its sales portfolio.
2016
2017
Vision 2018: A flagship store for cigar enthusiasts with event character and a feel-good atmosphere. Laying of the foundation stone for Paul Bugge’s new company headquarters.
2018
Inauguration of Paul Bugge’s new head office with its Flagship-Store, Cigar Lounge for events, Cigar Academy and additional space for Despatch & Logistics, Marketing and Customer Services.
The inaugural celebration of the Leonel Cigars Lounge in the new head office in VS-Schwenningen had an event character in a very relaxed atmosphere.
2018
seit 2020
The Paul Bugge team comprises roughly 40 staff members in three departments, attends to the needs of about 35 000 cigar lovers as well as close to 450 tobacco shops who have confidence in the quality of Paul Bugge Cigars.
Paul Bugge Distribution exports to 15 different countries in Europe and world-wide.