Fred Vandermarliere is part of the Belgian family that owns Oliva Cigar Co., one of the largest vertically integrated cigar operations in Nicaragua. The Vandermarlieres invested heavily in Estelí agriculture and manufacturing, building Tabolisa into a facility capable of producing millions of cigars annually—including the acclaimed Serie V, Melanio, and NUB lines that have earned multiple Cigar of the Year honors.
Fred's role reflects the globalization of the premium cigar industry: European capital meeting Nicaraguan tobacco expertise to create world-class products at scale. Under family leadership, Oliva has become both a major brand owner and a significant employer in Estelí—demonstrating that corporate structure (Oliva is grouped as corporate on the map) can coexist with agricultural investment and manufacturing quality that competes at the highest enthusiast levels.