Hermann Dietrich Upmann
Hermann Dietrich Upmann | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Bielefeld-Altstadt, Germany |
| Died | January 29, 1894 (aged 77) Bremen, Germany |
| Occupation(s) | Banker, trader, cigar manufacturer |
| Known for | Founder of the H. Upmann cigar brand |
Hermann Dietrich Upmann (born 1 May 1816 in Bielefeld-Altstadt, Germany – died 29 January 1894 in Bremen, Germany) was a prominent banker, trader, and cigar manufacturer based in Cuba, renowned for founding the H. Upmann cigar brand in 1844.
At the age of 23, Upmann journeyed to the Americas in 1839 to join The Gravenhorst & Co. During this trip, he was convinced to remain in Havana, where the tobacco sector was flourishing. There, he mastered the craft of cigar production, purchased a local factory, and introduced the H. Upmann brand—now recognized as one of the world’s oldest cigar labels.
By 1855, Upmann had garnered several accolades and received the Royal Warrant as "Supplier to His Majesty Don Alfonso XII, King of Spain." His manufacturing facility ranked among the top five tobacco producers in Cuba. Additionally, he held a directorial position within the Havana Cigar Brand Association, which focused on combating counterfeit cigars.
Facing challenges posed by Cuba’s tropical environment, Hermann returned to Germany in 1848 but entrusted his youngest brother, August Ludwig Upmann (born 1818), with overseeing Cuban operations. Back in Germany, Hermann established Gebrüder Upmann & Co. located in Bremen.
In 1864, his nephew Heinrich Upmann arrived in Cuba. Funded primarily by Hermann’s capital, they launched a banking business catering to tobacco merchants throughout the Antilles. This enterprise developed into a fully integrated company managing cultivation, manufacturing, packaging, and distribution through their own shipping fleet.
Hermann retired from active management in 1890; his nephew Heinrich took over leadership alongside partners Heinrich Runken and Theodore Garbade—the latter also serving as president of the Union of Cigar Manufacturers of the Island.
Hermann Dietrich Upmann passed away in Bremen in 1894 and was laid to rest at the family plot in Riensberger Cemetery.