I know, but the purist in me wishes it wasn't needed - we can get away with it on some brands due to the wrapper's thickness and texture, but not feasible on the HE... we made a real gallant try - adjusted the boxes 3 times, added wood block spacers of two differing types, tried foam, tried two different paper inserts, and then a bundle wrap but in the end nothing we came up with worked 100%.
I swear I felt bad for Willy when I told him I gave the order to cello all his cigars, I felt like I kicked his dog... :/
I can't speak for other manufacturers, but I know for all of us here at DE we take this stuff very personal, we spend a year plus working on ideas, blends, packaging, etc for the brands we release and we definitely become vested in the projects so when we have to change something we didn't envision it feels like a compromise. Willy knows, JD knows, Nick knows and I know that the cello being added to the HE cigars will ultimately mean consumers will get their products delivered in their optimum smoking condition yet we can't help but say to ourselves, "damn... wish we didn't have to add the cello, the cigars looked so much prettier without it..."
BR,
STS
CEO, DE