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{{Short description|British tobacco company}}
{{redirect|Imperial Tobacco|the Canadian company|Imperial Tobacco Canada}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox company
{{Infobox company
| name = Imperial Brands plc
| name = Imperial Brands plc
Line 6: Line 9:
| image_size = 250
| image_size = 250
| image_caption = Imperial Brands offices in Bristol, April 2014
| image_caption = Imperial Brands offices in Bristol, April 2014
| former_name = Imperial Tobacco Group plc (1996{{endash}}2016)<ref name="CompaniesHouse">{{Cite web |date=1998-03-13 |title=HAFREN DYFRDWY CYFYNGEDIG overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/03527628 |access-date=2024-02-10 |website=[[Companies House]] |language=en}}</ref>
| type = [[Public limited company]]
| type = [[Public limited company]]
| traded_as = {{LSE|IMB}}<br>[[FTSE 100 Index|FTSE 100 Component]]
| traded_as = {{LSE|IMB}}<br>[[FTSE 100 Index|FTSE 100 Component]]
| area_served = Worldwide
| area_served = Worldwide
| key_people = {{collapsible list|
| key_people = {{collapsible list|
⚫
* {{wd-chairperson}}
⚫
* {{wd-ceo}}
* [[William Wills, 1st Baron Winterstoke|Sir William Henry Wills]], Bt. (First Chairman)
* [[William Wills, 1st Baron Winterstoke|Sir William Henry Wills]], Bt. (First Chairman)
* [[George Alfred Wills|Sir George Alfred Wills]], Bt. (Former President)
* [[George Alfred Wills|Sir George Alfred Wills]], Bt. (Former President)
* [[Gilbert Wills, 1st Baron Dulverton|The 1st Baron Dulverton]] (Former President)
* [[Gilbert Wills, 1st Baron Dulverton|The 1st Baron Dulverton]] (Former President)
⚫
* {{wd-chairperson}}
⚫
* {{wd-ceo}}
* Dominic Brisby and Joerg Biebernick (Joint Interim CEOs)
}}
}}
| industry = [[Tobacco industry|Tobacco]]
| industry = [[Tobacco industry|Tobacco]]
| products = [[Cigarettes]], [[cigars]], fine-cut rolling tobacco, snuff, rolling papers and tubes
| products = {{hlist|[[Cigarettes]]|[[cigars]]|fine-cut [[Shag (tobacco)|rolling tobacco]]|rolling papers and tubes|[[snus]]|[[Electronic cigarette|vapes]]|[[heated tobacco]]|[[Nicotine pouch|oral nicotine]]}}
| revenue = {{increase}} [[Pound sterling|£]]32.562&nbsp;billion (2020)<ref name=results>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imperialbrandsplc.com/content/dam/imperial-brands/corporate/investors/annual-report-and-accounts/2020/Online-Annual-Report/Annual_Report_2020.pdf.downloadasset.pdf|title=Annual Report 2020|publisher=Imperial Brands|access-date=25 February 2021}}</ref>
| revenue = {{decrease}} [[Pound sterling|£]]32.475&nbsp;billion (2023)<ref name=results>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imperialbrandsplc.com/content/dam/imperialbrands/corporate/documents/investors/reports/oar-2023/imperial-brands-2023-annual-report.pdf|title=Annual Report 2023|publisher=Imperial Brands|access-date=11 February 2024}}</ref>
| operating_income = {{increase}} £2.731&nbsp;billion (2020)<ref name=results/>
| operating_income = {{increase}} £3.402&nbsp;billion (2023)<ref name=results/>
| net_income = {{increase}} £1.558&nbsp;billion (2020)<ref name=results/>
| net_income = {{increase}} £2.456&nbsp;billion (2023)<ref name=results/>
| num_employees = 32,100 (2020)<ref name=results/>
| num_employees = 25,500 (2023)<ref name=results/>
| subsid = * Fontem Ventures
| subsid = * Fontem Ventures
* Imperial Tobacco
* Imperial Tobacco
* [[ITG Brands]]
* [[ITG Brands]]
* [[Altadis]]
* [[Altadis]]
* [[Logista]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imperialbrandsplc.com/About-us/Our-companies|title=Our companies|publisher= Imperial Brands|access-date=3 March 2019}}</ref>
* [[Logista]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imperialbrandsplc.com/About-us/Our-companies|title=Our companies|publisher=Imperial Brands|access-date=3 March 2019|archive-date=25 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161125090947/http://www.imperialbrandsplc.com/About-us/Our-companies|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| homepage = {{url|https://www.imperialbrandsplc.com/index.html|imperialbrandsplc.com}}
| homepage = {{url|https://imperialbrandsplc.com}}
| footnotes =
| footnotes =
| predecessor = [[W.D. & H.O. Wills]]
| foundation = {{start date and age|1901}}
| foundation = {{start date and age|1901}}
| location = [[Bristol]], England, UK
| location = [[Bristol]], England
}}
}}
'''Imperial Brands plc''', formerly '''Imperial Tobacco Group plc''', is a British [[Multinational corporation|multinational]] [[tobacco]] company headquartered in [[Bristol]], England. It is the world's fourth-largest international cigarette company measured by market share after [[Philip Morris International]], [[British American Tobacco]], and [[Japan Tobacco]], and the world's largest producer of [[Shag (tobacco)|fine-cut tobacco]] and [[Rolling paper|tobacco papers]].<ref>{{Cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financetopics/profiles/7494521/Alison-Cooper-lighting-up-Imperial-Tobacco.html |title=Alison Cooper: lighting up Imperial Tobacco|work=The Telegraph| date=21 March 2010 | location=London |access-date=14 March 2014}}</ref> The company is also involved in [[logistics]] through its subsidiary [[Logista]].
'''Imperial Brands plc''' (formerly '''Imperial Tobacco Group plc''') is a [[Great Britain|British]] [[Multinational corporation|multinational]] [[tobacco]] company headquartered in London and [[Bristol]], England.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Hodgson |first=Joanna |date=2023-02-16 |title=Office days: The full list of average weekly working patterns at FTSE 100 firms |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/business/office-days-average-weekly-working-patterns-ftse-100-companies-exclusive-b1059365.html |access-date=2023-07-04 |website=Evening Standard |language=en}}</ref> It is the world's fourth-largest international cigarette company measured by market share after [[Philip Morris International]], [[British American Tobacco]] and [[Japan Tobacco]] and the world's largest producer of [[Shag (tobacco)|fine-cut tobacco]] and [[Rolling paper|tobacco papers]].<ref>{{Cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financetopics/profiles/7494521/Alison-Cooper-lighting-up-Imperial-Tobacco.html |title=Alison Cooper: lighting up Imperial Tobacco|work=The Telegraph| date=21 March 2010 | location=London |access-date=14 March 2014}}</ref>


Imperial Brands produces over 320&nbsp;billion cigarettes per year, has 51 factories worldwide, and its products are sold in over 160 countries.<ref name=factfile>{{Cite web|url=http://www.imperial-tobacco.com/files/corporate_factfile.pdf|title=Corporate Fact File|access-date=4 September 2010|publisher=Imperial Tobacco Group plc|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100902070716/http://www.imperial-tobacco.com//files/corporate_factfile.pdf|archive-date=2 September 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Its brands include [[Davidoff]], [[West (cigarette)|West]], [[Gauloises Blondes]], [[Montecristo (cigar)|Montecristo]], [[Golden Virginia]] (the world's best-selling hand rolling tobacco), [[Drum (tobacco)|Drum]] (the world's second-largest-selling fine-cut tobacco), and [[Rizla]] (the world's best-selling rolling paper).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.imperial-tobacco.com/index.asp?page=399 |title=International strategic brands |access-date=4 September 2010 |publisher=Imperial Tobacco Group plc |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228043802/http://www.imperial-tobacco.com/index.asp?page=399 |archive-date=28 February 2009 }}</ref>
Imperial Brands has 30 factories worldwide and its products are sold in around 120 countries.<ref name=factfile>{{Cite web|url=http://www.imperial-tobacco.com/files/corporate_factfile.pdf|title=Corporate Fact File|access-date=4 September 2010|publisher=Imperial Tobacco Group plc|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100902070716/http://www.imperial-tobacco.com//files/corporate_factfile.pdf|archive-date=2 September 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Its brands include [[Davidoff]], [[West (cigarette)|West]], [[Golden Virginia]], [[Drum (tobacco)|Drum]] and [[Rizla]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.imperial-tobacco.com/index.asp?page=399 |title=International strategic brands |access-date=4 September 2010 |publisher=Imperial Tobacco Group plc |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228043802/http://www.imperial-tobacco.com/index.asp?page=399 |archive-date=28 February 2009 }}</ref>


Imperial Brands also have expanded their product range in recent years to include alternative nicotine products, including the [[Blu eCigs|blu vape brand]], the Pulze and iD heated tobacco system, and the Zone X and [[Skruf Snus|Skruf]] nicotine pouches.
Imperial Brands is listed on the [[London Stock Exchange]] and is a constituent of the [[FTSE 100 Index]]. It had a [[market capitalization]] around £18.5&nbsp;billion as of 4 June 2019, the 28th-largest of any company with a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.stockchallenge.co.uk/ftse.php |title=FTSE All-Share Index Ranking| publisher=stockchallenge.co.uk| access-date=26 December 2011}}</ref>


Imperial Brands is listed on the [[London Stock Exchange]] and is a constituent of the [[FTSE 100 Index]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=London Stock Exchange {{!}} London Stock Exchange |url=https://www.londonstockexchange.com/stock/IMB/imperial-brands-plc/about:blank |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=www.londonstockexchange.com |language=en}}</ref>
⚫
[[Imperial Tobacco Canada]], the Canadian subsidiary of [[British American Tobacco]], has no relationship to Imperial Brands.

⚫
[[Imperial Tobacco Canada]], the [[Canada|Canadian]] subsidiary of [[British American Tobacco]], has no relationship to Imperial Brands.


==History==
==History==
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===1901 to 2000===
===1901 to 2000===
[[File:Imperial tobacco factory.jpg|thumb|left|Imperial Tobacco building in Raleigh Road, [[Bristol]], constructed in 1912]]
[[File:Imperial tobacco factory.jpg|thumb|left|Imperial Tobacco building in Raleigh Road, [[Bristol]], constructed in 1912]]
The Imperial Tobacco Company was created in 1901 through the amalgamation of 13 British tobacco and cigarette companies: [[W.D. & H.O. Wills]] of [[Bristol]] (the leading manufacturer of tobacco products at that time), [[John Player & Sons]] of [[Nottingham]], and 11 other independent family businesses, which were in competition with companies from the United States by the [[American Tobacco Company]].<ref name="history">{{cite web|url=http://www.imperial-tobacco.com/index.asp?page=43|title=Imperial Tobacco History&nbsp;– Formation|publisher=Imperial Tobacco|access-date=15 March 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150301060642/http://www.imperial-tobacco.com/index.asp?page=43|archive-date=1 March 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="stead1901">{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/stream/americanizationo01stea#page/378/mode/2up | title=The Americanization of the World | publisher=Horace Markley | author=Stead, W. T. | year=1901 | pages=379–380}}</ref> First [[W. D. & H. O. Wills]] of [[Bristol]] merged with [[Stephen Mitchell & Son]] of [[Glasgow]]. Subsequently, other smaller companies including [[Lambert & Butler]], [[William Clarke & Son]], Franklyn Davey, Edwards Ringer & Bigg, Hignett Brothers, Hignett's Tobacco, Adkins & Sons, Richmond Cavendish, D&J MacDoland, and F&J Smith joined in the amalgamation. In 1904, James & Finlay Bell Ltd merged with Stephen Mitchell & Son. The Company's first chairman was Sir [[William Wills, 1st Baron Winterstoke|William Henry Wills]], Bt. of the Wills Company.<ref name="history"/>
The Imperial Tobacco Company was created in 1901, in response to the price war in the British market promoted by [[James Buchanan Duke|"Buck Duke"]]'s [[American Tobacco Company]]. It amalgamated 13 British tobacco and cigarette companies: [[W.D. & H.O. Wills]] of [[Bristol]] (the leading manufacturer of tobacco products at that time), [[John Player & Sons]] of [[Nottingham]], and 11 other independent family businesses.<ref name="history">{{cite web|url=http://www.imperial-tobacco.com/index.asp?page=43|title=Imperial Tobacco History&nbsp;– Formation|publisher=Imperial Tobacco|access-date=15 March 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150301060642/http://www.imperial-tobacco.com/index.asp?page=43|archive-date=1 March 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="stead1901">{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/stream/americanizationo01stea#page/378/mode/2up | title=The Americanization of the World | publisher=Horace Markley | author=Stead, W. T. | year=1901 | pages=379–380}}</ref> The other, smaller companies, involved in the amalgamation included [[Lambert & Butler]], [[William Clarke & Son]], Franklyn Davey, Edwards Ringer & Bigg, Hignett Brothers, Hignett's Tobacco, Adkins & Sons, Richmond Cavendish, D&J MacDonald, and F&J Smith. In 1902 the printing and packaging firm, Mardon, Son & Hall was absorbed. In 1904, James & Finlay Bell Ltd was merged into the Stephen Mitchell & Son branch. The Company's first chairman was [[William Wills, 1st Baron Winterstoke|William Henry Wills]] of the Wills Company.<ref name="history"/>


[[File:J&FBell ThreeNuns 2oz.jpg|thumb|A {{convert|2|oz|adj=on}} tin for J&F Bell "Three Nuns" tobacco]]
[[File:J&FBell ThreeNuns 2oz.jpg|thumb|A {{convert|2|oz|adj=on}} tin for J&F Bell "Three Nuns" tobacco]]
In 1902, the Imperial Tobacco Company and the [[American Tobacco Company]] agreed to form a joint venture: the [[British American Tobacco|British-American Tobacco Company Ltd]].<ref name="history"/> The parent companies agreed not to trade in each other's domestic territory and to assign trademarks, export businesses, and overseas subsidiaries to the joint venture. It built the [[Imperial Tobacco Company Building]] at [[Mullins, South Carolina]], between 1908 and 1913.<ref name = nrhpinv>{{Cite web| title = Imperial Tobacco Company Building| work = National Register of Historic Places&nbsp;— Nomination and Inventory | date = n.d. | url = http://www.nationalregister.sc.gov/marion/S10817734003/S10817734003.pdf | access-date = 22 February 2014}}</ref> It also established its own leaf-buying organization in the United States through its building, the Imperial Tobacco Warehouse, in [[Durham, North Carolina]], which is now owned, and has been renovated by, [[Measurement Incorporated]]. American Tobacco sold its share in 1911, but Imperial maintained an interest in British American Tobacco until 1980.<ref name="history"/> In 1973, the Imperial Tobacco Company, having become increasingly diversified by acquisition of (amongst others) restaurant chains, food services and distribution businesses, changed its name to Imperial Group.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imperial-tobacco.com/index.asp?page=43|title=Imperial Tobacco History&nbsp;– Diversification|publisher=Imperial Tobacco|access-date=15 March 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150301060642/http://www.imperial-tobacco.com/index.asp?page=43|archive-date=1 March 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
In 1902, the Imperial Tobacco Company and the [[American Tobacco Company]] agreed to form a joint venture: the [[British American Tobacco|British-American Tobacco Company Ltd]].<ref name="history"/> The parent companies agreed not to trade in each other's domestic territory and to assign trademarks, export businesses, and overseas subsidiaries to the joint venture. It built the [[Imperial Tobacco Company Building]] at [[Mullins, South Carolina]], US, between 1908, and 1913.<ref name = nrhpinv>{{Cite web| title = Imperial Tobacco Company Building| work = National Register of Historic Places&nbsp;— Nomination and Inventory | date = n.d. | url = http://www.nationalregister.sc.gov/marion/S10817734003/S10817734003.pdf | access-date = 22 February 2014}}</ref> The company expanded the tobacco growing enterprises in the United States that WD & HO Wills had developed before the amalgamation of 1901. It also established its own leaf-buying organisation in the United States through its building, the Imperial Tobacco Warehouse, in [[Durham, North Carolina]], which is now owned, and has been renovated by, [[Measurement Incorporated]]. Whereas American Tobacco sold its share of BAT in 1911, a divesture prompted by Supreme Court rulings in an anti-trust case, Imperial maintained an interest in British American Tobacco until 1980.<ref name="history"/>


In 1973, the Imperial Tobacco Company, having become increasingly diversified by acquisition of (amongst others) restaurant chains, food services and distribution businesses, changed its name to Imperial Group while tobacco products continued to be sold by a newly formed subsidiary named Imperial Tobacco Limited.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imperial-tobacco.com/index.asp?page=43|title=Imperial Tobacco History&nbsp;– Diversification|publisher=Imperial Tobacco|access-date=15 March 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150301060642/http://www.imperial-tobacco.com/index.asp?page=43|archive-date=1 March 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
In 1910, Imperial Tobacco formed the [[ITC Limited|Imperial Tobacco Company of India]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.itcportal.com/about-itc/profile/history-and-evolution.aspx |title=History and Evolution |publisher=ITC Limited |access-date=14 September 2013}}</ref>


In 1985, the company acquired the [[Peoples Drug]]store chain and all subsidiaries from A. C. Israel.<ref>Chain Drug Review, 14 March 1988 "Lane being converted to the Peoples name"</ref> In 1986 the Company was acquired by the conglomerate [[Hanson plc|Hanson Trust plc]] for £2.5billion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imperial-tobacco.com/index.asp?page=43|title=Imperial Tobacco History&nbsp;– The Hanson Years|publisher=Imperial Tobacco|access-date=15 March 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150301060642/http://www.imperial-tobacco.com/index.asp?page=43|archive-date=1 March 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Divestments during the period of ownership by Hanson included [[Courage Brewery]] to [[Elders Limited|Elders]], [[Golden Wonder]] to [[Dalgety plc|Dalgety]], Finlays to Arunbhai J. Patel, the wholesaling arm of Sinclair & Collis to Palmer & Harvey, Imperial Hotels and Catering to [[Trust House Forte]] and [[Ross Group|Ross Frozen Foods]] to [[United Biscuits]]. This also led to a dispute over pension payments to employees, as seen in ''[[Imperial Group Pension Trust Ltd v Imperial Tobacco Ltd]]''.<ref>[1991] 1 WLR 589</ref> In 1996, following a decision to concentrate on core tobacco activities, Hanson de-merged Imperial and it was listed as an independent company on the UK stock exchange.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imperial-tobacco.com/index.asp?page=43|title=Imperial Tobacco History&nbsp;– The Company today|publisher=Imperial Tobacco|access-date=15 March 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150301060642/http://www.imperial-tobacco.com/index.asp?page=43|archive-date=1 March 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
In 1986, the company was acquired by the conglomerate [[Hanson plc|Hanson Trust plc]] for £2.5 billion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imperial-tobacco.com/index.asp?page=43|title=Imperial Tobacco History&nbsp;– The Hanson Years|publisher=Imperial Tobacco|access-date=15 March 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150301060642/http://www.imperial-tobacco.com/index.asp?page=43|archive-date=1 March 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Divestments during the period of ownership by Hanson included [[Courage Brewery]] to [[Elders Limited|Elders]], [[Golden Wonder]] to [[Dalgety plc|Dalgety]], Finlays to Arunbhai J. Patel, the wholesaling arm of Sinclair & Collis to Palmer & Harvey, Imperial Hotels and Catering to [[Trust House Forte]] and [[Ross Group|Ross Frozen Foods]] to [[United Biscuits]]. This also led to a dispute over pension payments to employees, as seen in ''[[Imperial Group Pension Trust Ltd v Imperial Tobacco Ltd]]''.<ref>[1991] 1 WLR 589</ref> In 1996, following a decision to concentrate on core tobacco activities, Hanson de-merged Imperial and it was listed as an independent company on the UK stock exchange.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imperial-tobacco.com/index.asp?page=43|title=Imperial Tobacco History&nbsp;– The Company today|publisher=Imperial Tobacco|access-date=15 March 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150301060642/http://www.imperial-tobacco.com/index.asp?page=43|archive-date=1 March 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref>


===2000 to present===
===2000 to present===
[[File:Hamburg.Othmarschen.Haus K in O.Verwaltung.wmt.jpg|thumb|The Reemtsma head office in Hamburg, Germany, pictured July 2009]]
[[File:Hamburg.Othmarschen.Haus K in O.Verwaltung.wmt.jpg|thumb|The former Reemtsma head office in Hamburg, Germany, pictured July 2009]]
In 2003, Imperial acquired the world's then fourth-largest tobacco company, [[Reemtsma|Reemtsma Cigarettenfabriken GmbH]] of Germany: the deal added brands such as [[Davidoff]], [[Peter Stuyvesant]], and [[West (cigarette)|West]] to its portfolio.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1860105.stm|title=BBC News - BUSINESS - Imperial buys top German cigarette maker|work=bbc.co.uk|access-date=15 March 2015}}</ref> In 2007, Imperial Tobacco entered the United States tobacco market with its $1.9-billion acquisition of Commonwealth Brands Inc., then the fourth-largest tobacco company in the US.<ref name=AP-12-2007>Bruce Schreiner, [http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071224/BIZ/712240312/1076/rss01 "Houchens expanding at a rapid pace: Company has evolved since Kentucky start"], Associated Press, 24 December 2007</ref> In February 2008, Imperial acquired the world's then fifth-largest tobacco company, [[Altadis]], whose brands included [[Fortuna (cigarette)|Fortuna]], [[Gauloises Blondes]], and [[Gitanes]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/19/business/worldbusiness/19tobacco.html|title= Imperial Tobacco to buy Altadis for $17bn|date= 19 July 2007 |work=New York Times|access-date=15 March 2015}}</ref> A number of factory closures were subsequently announced, including the long-running cigar factory in Bristol.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imperial-tobacco.com/index.asp?page=78&newsid=608|title=Imperial Tobacco Group PLC - Media - News - Imperial Tobacco Group PLC announces European integration restructuring projects (19 June, 2008)|work=imperial-tobacco.com|access-date=29 October 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005060853/http://www.imperial-tobacco.com/index.asp?page=78&newsid=608|archive-date=5 October 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
In 2003, Imperial acquired the world's then fourth-largest tobacco company, [[Reemtsma|Reemtsma Cigarettenfabriken GmbH]] of Germany: the deal added brands such as [[Davidoff]], [[Peter Stuyvesant (cigarette)|Peter Stuyvesant]], and [[West (cigarette)|West]] to its portfolio.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1860105.stm|title=BBC News - BUSINESS - Imperial buys top German cigarette maker|work=bbc.co.uk|date=7 March 2002|access-date=15 March 2015}}</ref> In 2007, Imperial Tobacco entered the United States tobacco market with its $1.9-billion acquisition of Commonwealth Brands Inc., then the fourth-largest tobacco company in the US.<ref name=AP-12-2007>Bruce Schreiner, [https://archive.today/20121208181608/http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071224/BIZ/712240312/1076/rss01 "Houchens expanding at a rapid pace: Company has evolved since Kentucky start"], Associated Press, 24 December 2007</ref> In February 2008, Imperial acquired the world's then fifth-largest tobacco company, [[Altadis]], whose brands included [[Fortuna (cigarette)|Fortuna]], [[Gauloises Blondes]], and [[Gitanes]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/19/business/worldbusiness/19tobacco.html|title= Imperial Tobacco to buy Altadis for $17bn|date= 19 July 2007 |work=New York Times|access-date=15 March 2015}}</ref> A number of factory closures were subsequently announced, including the long-running cigar factory in Bristol.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imperial-tobacco.com/index.asp?page=78&newsid=608|title=Imperial Tobacco Group PLC - Media - News - Imperial Tobacco Group PLC announces European integration restructuring projects (19 June, 2008)|work=imperial-tobacco.com|access-date=29 October 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005060853/http://www.imperial-tobacco.com/index.asp?page=78&newsid=608|archive-date=5 October 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref>


Following the [[Scottish Parliament|Scottish Parliament's]] decision in January 2010 to ban the display of tobacco products in shops, as well as the availability of tobacco vending machines in public buildings with effect from autumn 2011, Imperial Tobacco attempted to challenge the change in the law on the grounds that regulations of the sale goods rested with the [[Houses of Parliament]] in [[Westminster]]. However, this case was dismissed on 30 September 2010 by [[Alastair Campbell, Lord Bracadale|Lord Bracadale]] in the [[Court of Session]] in [[Edinburgh]].<ref>{{Cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-11442855 |publisher=BBC News | title=Tobacco firm loses legal battle | date=30 September 2010}}</ref>
Following the [[Scottish Parliament|Scottish Parliament's]] decision in January 2010, to ban the display of tobacco products in shops, as well as the availability of tobacco vending machines in public buildings with effect from autumn 2011, Imperial Tobacco attempted to challenge the change in the law on the grounds that regulations of the sale goods rested with the [[Houses of Parliament]] in [[Westminster]]. However, this case was dismissed on 30 September 2010 by [[Alastair Campbell, Lord Bracadale|Lord Bracadale]] in the [[Court of Session]] in [[Edinburgh]].<ref>{{Cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-11442855 |publisher=BBC News | title=Tobacco firm loses legal battle | date=30 September 2010}}</ref>


In 2011, Altadis USA Inc. said it would add to its [[Fort Lauderdale, Florida]], headquarters and move Commonwealth Brands Inc. employees from [[Bowling Green, Kentucky]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Cigar Company to Create 55 Jobs in Fort Lauderdale|work=[[Sun-Sentinel]]|date=29 June 2011|page=1D}}</ref> The company's name changed to Commonwealth-Altadis Inc.<ref>{{cite news|title=9-to-5 News|work=[[The Daily News (Kentucky)|Daily News]]|date=7 December 2011}}</ref>
In 2011, Altadis USA Inc. said it would add to its [[Fort Lauderdale, Florida]], headquarters and move Commonwealth Brands Inc. employees from [[Bowling Green, Kentucky]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Cigar Company to Create 55 Jobs in Fort Lauderdale|work=[[Sun-Sentinel]]|date=29 June 2011|page=1D}}</ref> The company's name changed to Commonwealth-Altadis Inc.<ref>{{cite news|title=9-to-5 News|work=[[The Daily News (Kentucky)|Daily News]]|date=7 December 2011}}</ref>
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In April 2014, Imperial announced the closure of its long-running Horizon factory in [[Nottingham]]. The factory closed in 2016, marking the end of cigarette production in England.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-36324884|title=Last English-produced cigarettes made in Nottingham|date= 21 May 2016|access-date=2 July 2018}}</ref>
In April 2014, Imperial announced the closure of its long-running Horizon factory in [[Nottingham]]. The factory closed in 2016, marking the end of cigarette production in England.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-36324884|title=Last English-produced cigarettes made in Nottingham|date= 21 May 2016|access-date=2 July 2018}}</ref>


On 15 July 2014, [[Reynolds American]] agreed to buy [[Greensboro, North Carolina]]-based [[Lorillard Tobacco Company]], for $27.4 billion.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/07/15/reynolds-american-to-buy-lorillard-for-27-4-billion/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0|title=To Compete With Altria, Reynolds American Is Buying Lorillard|first=Michael J. de la Merced and Chad|last=Bray}}</ref> The deal also included the sale of the [[Kool (cigarette)|Kool]], [[Winston (cigarette)|Winston]], [[Salem (cigarette)|Salem]], and [[blu eCigs (tobacco company)|blu eCigs]] brands to Imperial for $7.1 billion.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/id/101837775|title=Feeling blu? E-cig company spun off in major tobacco deal|first=Dan|last=Mangan|work=[[CNBC]]|date=15 July 2014}}</ref> In November 2014, Imperial said Commonwealth-Altadis and the Lorillard operations being acquired would be called [[ITG Brands|ITG Brands LLC]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Imperial Tobacco chooses name for proposed expanded U.S. subsidiary|last=Craver|first=Richard|work=[[Winston-Salem Journal]]|date=6 November 2014|page=A9}}</ref> The deal with Lorillard was completed on 12 June 2015, and as part of the deal, Greensboro became the location of the ITG headquarters.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.journalnow.com/business/business_news/local/itg-s-florida-workforce-not-moving-to-greensboro/article_840a4d84-1472-11e5-b083-133f811abc3d.html|title=ITG's Florida workforce not moving to Greensboro|last=Craver|first=Richard|work=Winston-Salem Journal|date=16 June 2015|access-date=26 June 2015}}</ref> On 1 November 2018, ITG announced production would move from the former [[American Tobacco Company]] plant in [[Reidsville, North Carolina]], built in 1892 and later expanded, to Greensboro by 2020. The plant made [[USA Gold]], Sonoma, Montclair and Rave.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.greensboro.com/business/local_business/itg-brands-moving-tobacco-production-from-reidsville-to-greensboro/article_67b26f83-d734-50b6-95a9-ca7b275ff9e4.html|title=ITG Brands moving tobacco production from Reidsville to Greensboro |work=[[News & Record]]|date=1 November 2018|access-date=2 November 2018}}</ref>
On 15 July 2014, [[Reynolds American]] agreed to buy [[Greensboro, North Carolina]]–based [[Lorillard Tobacco Company]], for $27.4 billion.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/07/15/reynolds-american-to-buy-lorillard-for-27-4-billion/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0|title=To Compete With Altria, Reynolds American Is Buying Lorillard|first=Michael J. de la Merced and Chad|last=Bray|date=15 July 2014 }}</ref> The deal also included the sale of the [[Kool (cigarette)|Kool]], [[Winston (cigarette)|Winston]], [[Salem (cigarette)|Salem]], and [[blu eCigs (tobacco company)|blu eCigs]] brands to Imperial for $7.1 billion.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2014/07/15/feeling-blu-e-cig-company-spun-off-in-major-tobacco-deal.html|title=Feeling blu? E-cig company spun off in major tobacco deal|first=Dan|last=Mangan|work=[[CNBC]]|date=15 July 2014}}</ref> In November 2014, Imperial said Commonwealth-Altadis and the Lorillard operations being acquired would be called [[ITG Brands|ITG Brands LLC]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Imperial Tobacco chooses name for proposed expanded U.S. subsidiary|last=Craver|first=Richard|work=[[Winston-Salem Journal]]|date=6 November 2014|page=A9}}</ref> The deal with Lorillard was completed on 12 June 2015, and as part of the deal, Greensboro became the location of the ITG headquarters.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.journalnow.com/business/business_news/local/itg-s-florida-workforce-not-moving-to-greensboro/article_840a4d84-1472-11e5-b083-133f811abc3d.html|title=ITG's Florida workforce not moving to Greensboro|last=Craver|first=Richard|work=Winston-Salem Journal|date=16 June 2015|access-date=26 June 2015}}</ref> On 1 November 2018, ITG announced production would move from the former [[American Tobacco Company]] plant in [[Reidsville, North Carolina]], built in 1892, and later expanded, to Greensboro by 2020. The plant made [[USA Gold]], Sonoma, Montclair and Rave.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.greensboro.com/business/local_business/itg-brands-moving-tobacco-production-from-reidsville-to-greensboro/article_67b26f83-d734-50b6-95a9-ca7b275ff9e4.html|title=ITG Brands moving tobacco production from Reidsville to Greensboro |work=[[News & Record]]|date=1 November 2018|access-date=2 November 2018}}</ref>


[[File:Imperial tobacco logo.svg|thumb|Former logo of the company, used until 2016 when it changed to "Imperial Brands"]]
[[File:Imperial tobacco logo.svg|thumb|Former logo of the company, used until 2016 when it changed to "Imperial Brands"]]
In February 2016 Imperial changed its name to "Imperial Brands" to distance itself from tobacco.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityam.com/233947/imperial-tobacco-is-rebranding-to-imperial-brands|title=Imperial Tobacco is rebranding to Imperial Brands|date=5 February 2016|publisher=City AM|access-date=25 March 2016}}</ref>
In February 2016, Imperial changed its name to "Imperial Brands" to distance itself from tobacco.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityam.com/233947/imperial-tobacco-is-rebranding-to-imperial-brands|title=Imperial Tobacco is rebranding to Imperial Brands|date=5 February 2016|publisher=City AM|access-date=25 March 2016}}</ref>


In 2018 a subsidiary, Imperial Brands Ventures, took a stake in Oxford Cannabinoid Technologies which is licensed by the UK government to develop cannabis-based medicines.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-44645569|title=Tobacco giant Imperial Brands invests in medical cannabis|publisher=BBC News|date=28 June 2018|access-date=2 July 2018}}</ref>
In 2018, a subsidiary, Imperial Brands Ventures, took a stake in Oxford Cannabinoid Technologies which is licensed by the [[UK government]] to develop cannabis-based medicines.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-44645569|title=Tobacco giant Imperial Brands invests in medical cannabis|publisher=BBC News|date=28 June 2018|access-date=2 July 2018}}</ref>


After searching for a new chairman since February, the company announced its senior independent director Thérèse Esperdy would take the role.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.insidermedia.com/news/south-west/new-chairman-revealed-at-imperial-brands-as-revenues-rise-but-profits-fall|title=New chairman revealed at Imperial Brands|last=Media|first=Insider|website=Insider Media Ltd|language=en|access-date=2019-11-05}}</ref>
In November 2019, after searching for a new chairman since February, the company announced its senior independent director Thérèse Esperdy would take the role.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.insidermedia.com/news/south-west/new-chairman-revealed-at-imperial-brands-as-revenues-rise-but-profits-fall|title=New chairman revealed at Imperial Brands|last=Media|first=Insider|website=Insider Media Ltd|language=en|access-date=2019-11-05}}</ref>


In July 2020, [[Stefan Bomhard]], the former chief executive of global automotive distributor [[Inchcape plc|Inchcape]] and former president of [[Bacardi|Bacardi Europe]], became chief executive of Imperial Brands.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hancock |first=Alice |date=2020-02-03 |title=Imperial Brands names new chief executive |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/cd417bfa-4657-11ea-aee2-9ddbdc86190d |access-date=2023-07-04}}</ref>
In November 2019, Imperial Brands said it would reduce its investment in vaping products for at least the coming year as it reported a decline in underlying earnings. Adjusted earnings per share of 273.3p in the 12 months to 30 September were up 0.4% on last year, or down 1.6% on a constant-currency basis, having guided to flat at constant currencies in a pre-close trading update-cum-profit-warning in September.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk/companies/news/906292/imperial-brands-resets-plans-after-earnings-vaporised-906292.html|title=Imperial Brands "resets" plans after earnings vaporised|last=Haill|first=Oliver|date=2019-11-05|website=Proactiveinvestors UK|language=en|access-date=2019-12-05}}</ref> As of November, Imperial Brands shares have an 11.5% dividend yield.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://seekingalpha.com/article/4304086-imperial-brands-still-worst-of-big-4-tobacco-stocks|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713061958/https://seekingalpha.com/article/4304086-imperial-brands-still-worst-of-big-4-tobacco-stocks|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 July 2020|title=Imperial Brands: Still The Worst Of The Big 4 Tobacco Stocks|date=2019-11-08|website=Seeking Alpha|language=en|access-date=2019-12-05}}</ref>

In 2021, Imperial Brands opened an office in Hammersmith, West London.<ref name=":0" /> In 2021 Imperial Brands launched the Pulze and iD heated tobacco system in selected European markets. The company has also launched Zone X, an oral nicotine brand, in several European countries.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tobaccotactics.org/article/nicotine-pouches/|title=Nicotine Pouches|publisher=University of Bath|access-date=11 February 2024}}</ref>

In 2022 and 2023, Imperial Brands launched blu 2.0, an upgrade to its blu vaping device, in the UK and several other countries.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ralph |first=Alex |date=2023-07-04 |title=Smokers crave alternative, says Imperial boss |website=The Times|language=en |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/smokers-crave-alternative-says-imperial-boss-3bcndsfn7 |access-date=2023-07-04 |issn=0140-0460}}</ref>


==Archives==
==Archives==
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{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* All [[Japan Tobacco|JTI]] {{refn|Products in Australia – [[Camel (cigarette)|Camel]], [[More (cigarette)|More]], [[Mevius]], among others|group=note|name=aus}}
* All [[Japan Tobacco|JTI]] {{refn|Products in Australia – [[Camel (cigarette)|Camel]], [[More (cigarette)|More]], [[Mevius]], among others|group=note|name=aus}}
* [[Bastos (cigarette)]]
* Ducados
* Ducados
* [[Dutch Masters (cigar)]]
* [[Backwoods Smokes]]
* [[Backwoods Smokes]]
⚫
* blu (vape)
* Brandon's
* Brandon's
* [[Capstan (cigarette)|Capstan]] {{refn|along with [[British American Tobacco]]|group=note|name=bat}}
* [[Capstan (cigarette)|Capstan]] {{refn|along with [[British American Tobacco]]|group=note|name=bat}}
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* [[Gauloises]]
* [[Gauloises]]
* [[Gitanes]]
* [[Gitanes]]
* [[Horizon (cigarette)|Horizon]]
* Horizon
* [[John Player & Sons]]
* [[John Player & Sons]]
* [[John Player Best]]
* John Player Best
* [[kool (cigarette)|Kool]]
* [[kool (cigarette)|Kool]]
* [[Lambert & Butler]] {{refn|Because Imperial Tobacco does not own the trademark on the original name, Lambert & Butler is known in some countries as L&B or Great & British|group=note|name=aust}}
* [[Lambert & Butler]] {{refn|Because Imperial Tobacco does not own the trademark on the original name, Lambert & Butler is known in some countries as L&B or Great & British|group=note|name=aust}}
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{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[Bali Shag]] {{refn|Fine-cut tobacco|group=note|name=fine}}
* [[Bali Shag]] {{refn|Fine-cut tobacco|group=note|name=fine}}
⚫
* blu (vape)
⚫
* [[Drum (tobacco)|Drum]] {{refn|group=note|name=fine}}
* [[Golden Virginia]] {{refn|group=note|name=fine}}
* [[Drum (tobacco)|Drum]] {{refn|group=note||name=fine}}
* Players Gold Leaf {{refn|group=note|name=fine}}v
* [[Golden Virginia]] {{refn|group=note||name=fine}}
* Champion Legendary {{refn|group=note|name=fine}}
* Players Gold Leaf {{refn|group=note||name=fine}}
* Pulze and iD
⚫
* Champion Legendary {{refn|group=note||name=fine}}
* [[RizLa+]] {{refn|[[Rolling paper]]|group=note|name=roll}}
* [[RizLa+]] {{refn|[[Rolling paper]]|group=note|name=roll}}
* [[Tally-Ho (rolling papers)|Tally-Ho]] {{refn|group=note|name=roll}}
* [[Tally-Ho (rolling papers)|Tally-Ho]] {{refn|group=note||name=roll}}
* [[Skruf Snus]] {{refn|[[Snus]] tobacco|group=note|name=snus}}
* [[Skruf Snus]] {{refn|[[Snus]] tobacco|group=note|name=snus}}
* Van Nelle {{refn|group=note|name=fine}}
* Van Nelle {{refn|group=note||name=fine}}
* [[White Ox]] {{refn|group=note|name=roll}}
* [[White Ox]] {{refn|group=note||name=roll}}
* Zone
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}


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File:Fortuna cigarettes (Spain) - front.jpg|Fortuna cigarettes packet
File:Fortuna cigarettes (Spain) - front.jpg|Fortuna cigarettes packet
File:Gauloises Blondes.JPG|Packets of Gauloises Blondes cigarettes
File:Gauloises Blondes.JPG|Packets of Gauloises Blondes cigarettes
File:MonteCristo Cigar.jpg|A Montecristo cigar
File:Drum Original Tobacco.jpg|A packet of Drum tobacco
File:Drum Original Tobacco.jpg|A packet of Drum tobacco
File:LEXMARK-SCAN 005.jpg|Rizla+ King Size Silver Slims
File:LEXMARK-SCAN 005.jpg|Rizla+ King Size Silver Slims
Line 150: Line 163:


==Operations==
==Operations==
The Nottingham factory, and the group's French factory in [[Nantes]] closed in 2016, with production moved to Eastern Europe.<ref name="ft.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/49283930-c4a3-11e3-b2fb-00144feabdc0.html|title=Imperial Tobacco to cut jobs and shut factories in UK and France|work=Financial Times|access-date=15 March 2015}}</ref>
The Nottingham factory and the group's French factory in [[Nantes]] closed in 2016, with production moved to Eastern Europe.<ref name="ft.com">{{cite news|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/49283930-c4a3-11e3-b2fb-00144feabdc0.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/49283930-c4a3-11e3-b2fb-00144feabdc0.html |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Imperial Tobacco to cut jobs and shut factories in UK and France|work=Financial Times|date=15 April 2014|access-date=15 March 2015|last1=Robinson|first1=Duncan|last2=Carnegy|first2=Hugh}}</ref>

== Controversies ==
In May 2022, ''[[The Times]]'' reported that the company had lobbied politicians in Scotland. [[Ivan McKee]], the trade minister, was the highest-ranking government official who had met with the executives from Imperial Brands: he met them twice in 2018.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Macaskill |first=Mark |title=Tobacco firms lobbied politicians in Scotland in 'breach of WHO treaty' |newspaper=[[The Times]] |language=en |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/tobacco-firms-lobbied-politicians-scotland-breach-who-treaty-tznmvh6s3 |access-date=2022-05-31 |issn=0140-0460}}</ref>


==Notes==
==Notes==
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{{Imperial Tobacco}}
{{Imperial Tobacco}}
{{Navboxes
{{Navboxes
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{{Major tobacco companies}}
{{Major tobacco companies}}
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{{FT 30 constituents}}
{{FT 30 constituents}}
}}
}}
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{{Authority control}}
{{Portal bar|Companies|United Kingdom}}
{{Portal bar|Companies|United Kingdom}}

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{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Imperial Brands| ]]
[[Category:Imperial Brands| ]]
[[Category:British companies established in 1901]]
[[Category:Tobacco companies of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Tobacco companies of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:1996 initial public offerings]]
[[Category:Companies listed on the London Stock Exchange]]
[[Category:Companies listed on the London Stock Exchange]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies established in 1901]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies established in 1901]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies based in Bristol]]
[[Category:Multinational companies headquartered in England]]
[[Category:Multinational companies headquartered in England]]
[[Category:Companies formed by merger]]
[[Category:Companies in the FTSE 100 Index]]

Latest revision as of 22:20, 17 November 2024

"Imperial Tobacco" redirects here. For the Canadian company, see Imperial Tobacco Canada.

Imperial Brands plc
FormerlyImperial Tobacco Group plc (1996–2016)[1]
Company typePublic limited company
LSE: IMB
FTSE 100 Component
IndustryTobacco
PredecessorW.D. & H.O. Wills
Founded1901; 123 years ago (1901)
HeadquartersBristol, England
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
List
Products
RevenueDecrease £32.475 billion (2023)[2]
Increase £3.402 billion (2023)[2]
Increase £2.456 billion (2023)[2]
Number of employees
25,500 (2023)[2]
Subsidiaries
Websiteimperialbrandsplc.com

Imperial Brands plc (formerly Imperial Tobacco Group plc) is a British multinational tobacco company headquartered in London and Bristol, England.[4] It is the world's fourth-largest international cigarette company measured by market share after Philip Morris International, British American Tobacco and Japan Tobacco and the world's largest producer of fine-cut tobacco and tobacco papers.[5]

Imperial Brands has 30 factories worldwide and its products are sold in around 120 countries.[6] Its brands include Davidoff, West, Golden Virginia, Drum and Rizla.[7]

Imperial Brands also have expanded their product range in recent years to include alternative nicotine products, including the blu vape brand, the Pulze and iD heated tobacco system, and the Zone X and Skruf nicotine pouches.

Imperial Brands is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.[8]

Imperial Tobacco Canada, the Canadian subsidiary of British American Tobacco, has no relationship to Imperial Brands.

History

[edit]

1901 to 2000

[edit]
Imperial Tobacco building in Raleigh Road, Bristol, constructed in 1912

The Imperial Tobacco Company was created in 1901, in response to the price war in the British market promoted by "Buck Duke"'s American Tobacco Company. It amalgamated 13 British tobacco and cigarette companies: W.D. & H.O. Wills of Bristol (the leading manufacturer of tobacco products at that time), John Player & Sons of Nottingham, and 11 other independent family businesses.[9][10] The other, smaller companies, involved in the amalgamation included Lambert & Butler, William Clarke & Son, Franklyn Davey, Edwards Ringer & Bigg, Hignett Brothers, Hignett's Tobacco, Adkins & Sons, Richmond Cavendish, D&J MacDonald, and F&J Smith. In 1902 the printing and packaging firm, Mardon, Son & Hall was absorbed. In 1904, James & Finlay Bell Ltd was merged into the Stephen Mitchell & Son branch. The Company's first chairman was William Henry Wills of the Wills Company.[9]

A 2-ounce (57 g) tin for J&F Bell "Three Nuns" tobacco

In 1902, the Imperial Tobacco Company and the American Tobacco Company agreed to form a joint venture: the British-American Tobacco Company Ltd.[9] The parent companies agreed not to trade in each other's domestic territory and to assign trademarks, export businesses, and overseas subsidiaries to the joint venture. It built the Imperial Tobacco Company Building at Mullins, South Carolina, US, between 1908, and 1913.[11] The company expanded the tobacco growing enterprises in the United States that WD & HO Wills had developed before the amalgamation of 1901. It also established its own leaf-buying organisation in the United States through its building, the Imperial Tobacco Warehouse, in Durham, North Carolina, which is now owned, and has been renovated by, Measurement Incorporated. Whereas American Tobacco sold its share of BAT in 1911, a divesture prompted by Supreme Court rulings in an anti-trust case, Imperial maintained an interest in British American Tobacco until 1980.[9]

In 1973, the Imperial Tobacco Company, having become increasingly diversified by acquisition of (amongst others) restaurant chains, food services and distribution businesses, changed its name to Imperial Group while tobacco products continued to be sold by a newly formed subsidiary named Imperial Tobacco Limited.[12]

In 1986, the company was acquired by the conglomerate Hanson Trust plc for £2.5 billion.[13] Divestments during the period of ownership by Hanson included Courage Brewery to Elders, Golden Wonder to Dalgety, Finlays to Arunbhai J. Patel, the wholesaling arm of Sinclair & Collis to Palmer & Harvey, Imperial Hotels and Catering to Trust House Forte and Ross Frozen Foods to United Biscuits. This also led to a dispute over pension payments to employees, as seen in Imperial Group Pension Trust Ltd v Imperial Tobacco Ltd.[14] In 1996, following a decision to concentrate on core tobacco activities, Hanson de-merged Imperial and it was listed as an independent company on the UK stock exchange.[15]

2000 to present

[edit]
The former Reemtsma head office in Hamburg, Germany, pictured July 2009

In 2003, Imperial acquired the world's then fourth-largest tobacco company, Reemtsma Cigarettenfabriken GmbH of Germany: the deal added brands such as Davidoff, Peter Stuyvesant, and West to its portfolio.[16] In 2007, Imperial Tobacco entered the United States tobacco market with its $1.9-billion acquisition of Commonwealth Brands Inc., then the fourth-largest tobacco company in the US.[17] In February 2008, Imperial acquired the world's then fifth-largest tobacco company, Altadis, whose brands included Fortuna, Gauloises Blondes, and Gitanes.[18] A number of factory closures were subsequently announced, including the long-running cigar factory in Bristol.[19]

Following the Scottish Parliament's decision in January 2010, to ban the display of tobacco products in shops, as well as the availability of tobacco vending machines in public buildings with effect from autumn 2011, Imperial Tobacco attempted to challenge the change in the law on the grounds that regulations of the sale goods rested with the Houses of Parliament in Westminster. However, this case was dismissed on 30 September 2010 by Lord Bracadale in the Court of Session in Edinburgh.[20]

In 2011, Altadis USA Inc. said it would add to its Fort Lauderdale, Florida, headquarters and move Commonwealth Brands Inc. employees from Bowling Green, Kentucky.[21] The company's name changed to Commonwealth-Altadis Inc.[22]

In 2013, Imperial opened a new global headquarters in Bristol.[23]

In April 2014, Imperial announced the closure of its long-running Horizon factory in Nottingham. The factory closed in 2016, marking the end of cigarette production in England.[24]

On 15 July 2014, Reynolds American agreed to buy Greensboro, North Carolina–based Lorillard Tobacco Company, for $27.4 billion.[25] The deal also included the sale of the Kool, Winston, Salem, and blu eCigs brands to Imperial for $7.1 billion.[26] In November 2014, Imperial said Commonwealth-Altadis and the Lorillard operations being acquired would be called ITG Brands LLC.[27] The deal with Lorillard was completed on 12 June 2015, and as part of the deal, Greensboro became the location of the ITG headquarters.[28] On 1 November 2018, ITG announced production would move from the former American Tobacco Company plant in Reidsville, North Carolina, built in 1892, and later expanded, to Greensboro by 2020. The plant made USA Gold, Sonoma, Montclair and Rave.[29]

Former logo of the company, used until 2016 when it changed to "Imperial Brands"

In February 2016, Imperial changed its name to "Imperial Brands" to distance itself from tobacco.[30]

In 2018, a subsidiary, Imperial Brands Ventures, took a stake in Oxford Cannabinoid Technologies which is licensed by the UK government to develop cannabis-based medicines.[31]

In November 2019, after searching for a new chairman since February, the company announced its senior independent director Thérèse Esperdy would take the role.[32]

In July 2020, Stefan Bomhard, the former chief executive of global automotive distributor Inchcape and former president of Bacardi Europe, became chief executive of Imperial Brands.[33]

In 2021, Imperial Brands opened an office in Hammersmith, West London.[4] In 2021 Imperial Brands launched the Pulze and iD heated tobacco system in selected European markets. The company has also launched Zone X, an oral nicotine brand, in several European countries.[34]

In 2022 and 2023, Imperial Brands launched blu 2.0, an upgrade to its blu vaping device, in the UK and several other countries.[35]

Archives

[edit]

The principal companies involved in setting up Imperial Tobacco were W. D. & H. O. Wills Limited and John Player & Sons of Nottingham. Bristol Archives holds extensive records of W D & H O Wills and Imperial Tobacco (Ref. 38169).[36] Nottinghamshire Archives hold the John Player and Sons collections (main ref. DD/PL).[37] The archives at Liverpool Central Library hold records of the Ogden Branch (Ref. 380 OGD).[38]

Products

[edit]

The company's brands include:[39]

Cigarettes

[edit]

Other

[edit]
[edit]
  • Fortuna cigarettes packet
    Fortuna cigarettes packet
  • Packets of Gauloises Blondes cigarettes
    Packets of Gauloises Blondes cigarettes
  • A packet of Drum tobacco
    A packet of Drum tobacco
  • Rizla+ King Size Silver Slims
    Rizla+ King Size Silver Slims
  • Skruf snus
    Skruf snus

Operations

[edit]

The Nottingham factory and the group's French factory in Nantes closed in 2016, with production moved to Eastern Europe.[40]

Controversies

[edit]

In May 2022, The Times reported that the company had lobbied politicians in Scotland. Ivan McKee, the trade minister, was the highest-ranking government official who had met with the executives from Imperial Brands: he met them twice in 2018.[41]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Products in Australia – Camel, More, Mevius, among others
  2. ^ a b along with British American Tobacco
  3. ^ British American Tobacco's old products
  4. ^ Because Imperial Tobacco does not own the trademark on the original name, Lambert & Butler is known in some countries as L&B or Great & British
  5. ^ a b Along with Japan Tobacco
  6. ^ a b c d e f Fine-cut tobacco
  7. ^ a b c Rolling paper
  8. ^ Snus tobacco

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "HAFREN DYFRDWY CYFYNGEDIG overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". Companies House. 13 March 1998. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d "Annual Report 2023" (PDF). Imperial Brands. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  3. ^ "Our companies". Imperial Brands. Archived from the original on 25 November 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
  4. ^ a b Hodgson, Joanna (16 February 2023). "Office days: The full list of average weekly working patterns at FTSE 100 firms". Evening Standard. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  5. ^ "Alison Cooper: lighting up Imperial Tobacco". The Telegraph. London. 21 March 2010. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  6. ^ "Corporate Fact File" (PDF). Imperial Tobacco Group plc. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 September 2010. Retrieved 4 September 2010.
  7. ^ "International strategic brands". Imperial Tobacco Group plc. Archived from the original on 28 February 2009. Retrieved 4 September 2010.
  8. ^ "London Stock Exchange | London Stock Exchange". www.londonstockexchange.com. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  9. ^ a b c d "Imperial Tobacco History – Formation". Imperial Tobacco. Archived from the original on 1 March 2015. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  10. ^ Stead, W. T. (1901). The Americanization of the World. Horace Markley. pp. 379–380.
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