One interesting thing I learned in Nica from Jon Drew, was that the box trade is pretty black market. Wood is expensive in Nicaragua, and the regulations are strict. Therefore, some box factories participate in shady activity. Companies like Drew Estate pay more money and experience more set-backs because they use legal companies who don’t break the law to make their boxes.

Few manufactures have box factories of their own, probably because of the strict restrictions in place on wood, but we were able to see one. What surprised me was how EVERYTHING is done by hand, including applying the labels to the boxes and packing them with cigars.

Here’s the wood for the boxes

And some guys making the boxes

A pile of almost-boxes

This machine adds hinges and clasps to boxes (one of the very few machines used in the cigar making process)

Applying the labels to the boxes with glue

Finished boxes ready to go!