Altadis S.A. History

Company Perspectives:

With 20,000 employees and activities in nearly 35 countries, Altadis is a multicultural, internationally-orientated Group, generating more than a third of sales from foreign markets. Underpinned by a solid financial position, Altadis is pursuing a growth strategy based on acquisitions and international expansion in order to reinforce its leadership position and create value for its shareholders and employees.

Key Dates:

1636:

Estanco de Tabaco, the Spanish royal monopoly on tobacco, is established.

1674:

The French tobacco industry is nationalized by Louis XIV.

1791:

The French national tobacco monopoly is abolished during the Revolution.

1810:

The French state tobacco monopoly is re-established by Napoleon.

1825:

The cigarette is invented.

1887:

Management of the Spanish state tobacco monopoly is leased to Arrendataria de Tabacos.

1926:

Service d'Exploitation industrielle des tabacs (SEIT) is established as the government tobacco monopoly in France.

1935:

Production of matches (alumettes) is added to the French tobacco monopoly, which is renamed SEITA

1945:

Tabacalera, Sociedad Anonima, Compañia Gestora del Monopolio de Tabacos y Servicios Anejos is formed, and the Spanish government assumes control of the tobacco monopoly again.

1959:

SEITA's status is adjusted to that of a state-owned industrial/commercial concern.

1960:

The European Economic Community (EEC) eases import strictures on cigarettes and other products among member states.

1962:

SEITA employees are no longer considered civil servants.

1964:

SEITA is given monopoly over tobacco distribution in France.

1970:

SEITA loses monopoly on tobacco cultivation in France.

1971:

Foreign cigarette brands are given free access to French market.

1972:

SEITA loses monopoly on import of EEC-produced matches.

1976:

SEITA loses monopoly on tobacco importation and distribution; warning labels are required on French cigarette packs; cigarette advertising is banned in France.

1986:

Tabacalera is partially privatized when Spain joins the EEC. The company diversifies into food products.

1990:

Nearly all forms of tobacco advertising are banned in Spain.

1994:

After diversifying too quickly, Tabacalera divests most of its food brands; by 1996 the company divests all of its non-tobacco, non-distribution operations.

1995:

Tabacalera buys General Cigar Company.

1995:

SEITA, renamed Seita, is privatized.

1999:

Seita and Tabacalera merge to form Altadis; the company buys a controlling stake in the Cuban cigar monopoly Corporación Habanos and becomes the world leader in cigar production.

2003:

Altadis purchases 80 percent control of the Moroccan state tobacco monopoly.

2004:

Altadis acquires Etinera, the former logistics division of the onetime Italian state tobacco monopoly.

Company History:

Further Reading:

• "Altadis to Make More Closures," World Tobacco 196, September 2003, p. 10.
• Apted, Emma, "Altadis Sees Safety in Acquisitions," World Tobacco, March 2001, p. 23.
• Brown, Jonathan, "Altadis Extends North African Presence," Duty-Free News International, July 1, 2003, p. 9.
• "Bullish Opening in Pamplona," World Tobacco, May 2002, p. 28.
• Campo, Silvia, "Altadis to Benefit from Restructuring," World Tobacco, March 2002, p. 26.
• Campo, Silvia, "One Factory Replaces Three," World Tobacco, July 2002, p. 35.
• "Cashing in on Africa's Smokers," Asia Africa Intelligence Wire, June 13, 2003.
• Crawford, Leslie, "The Tobacco Group where Everything Rolls out Two-by-Two," Financial Times, December 21, 2000, p. 28.
• "Cuban Cigar Production Drops as World Demand Slumps," Cuba News, November 2000, p. 3.
• Du Bois, Peter C., "A U.K. Analyst is Bullish on Spain," Barron's, July 3, 1989, p. 36.
• Fitere, Anne-Laurence, "Riche, Vieille, et Jolie," L'Expansion, January 6, 1994, p. 82.
• Fortson, Danny, "Altadis Smokes Rivals in Morocco Auction," Daily Deal, June 3, 2003, n.p.
• Haggman, Matthew, "Cigar Giant Fights Counterfeit Smokes," Miami Daily Business Review 78, no. 47, August 15, 2003, p. A1.
• Iskander, Samer, "Altadis to Buy Back 5% of Its Shares," Financial Times, December 6, 1999, p. 26.
• Kaupp, Katia D., "Chique et Choc Chez S.E.I.T.A.," Le Nouvel Observateur, April 1984, p. 65.
• "Merger between SEITA and Tabacalera Cleared," European Report, December 8, 1999.
• Mulligan, Mark, "Altadis Profits Hit by Slower French Sales," Financial Times, September 1, 2004, p. 24.
• Phalon, Richard, "Smoke Rings," Forbes, August 28, 1995, p. 92.
• "Prête pour une Guerre des Prix," La Vie Française, May 24, 1997, p. 29.
• "Rich Raise Count of Montecristos," Sunday Business (London), November 26, 2000, p. C7.
• Ridgway, Laurence, "Altadis Shares Down on Acquisition News," World Tobacco, July 2003, p. 8.
• Rigsby, G.G., "Job Cuts Planned in Hav-A-Tampa Merger," Business Journal (Tampa, Fla.), June 23, 2000, p. 3.
• "RJR Nabisco Buys Full Stake in Spain's Royal Brands," Reuter Business Report, May 9, 1994.
• Routier, Airy, "Seita: Cap sur la Distribution," L'Expansion, December 21, 1989, p. 70.
• Schwimmer, Anne, "Spanish Issues Expected," Pensions & Investments, October 28, 1991, p. 38.
• "Seita: Profil," Fusions et Acquisitions, April 1996, p. 4.
• Selva, Meera, "Spanish Tobacco Firm Favourite to Gain Cigarette Maker," Sunday Business (London), September 22, 2002.
• Simpson, David, "Gauloises: To Oxford and the Middle East," Tobacco Control, June 2001, p. 92.
• "Smoke in Your Eyes," Economist, October 9, 1999, p. 83.
• "Spain: A Striking Protest," World Tobacco, November 2003, p. 5.
• "Tabac: une Taxe Speciale Seita," Le Nouvel Observateur, December 4, 1997, p. 92.
• "Tabacalera, Selling Stakes in Food Firms, Focuses on Tobacco," Wall Street Journal, September 20, 1996, p. B5C.
• Torres Mulas, R. & D. Hortas, Tabacalera: 350 Años Despues, Madrid: Tabacalera, 1987.
• "Ups and Downs in Euroland's Cigarettes," Tobacco Europe, March-April 2002, p. 6.
• Welling, Kathryn M., "Ahead of the Herd," Barron's, February 13, 1995, p. 22.
• Wherry, Rob, "Merger Mentality," Forbes Global, April 14, 2003, p. 946.
• White, David, "Tobacco Partners in Cuban Cigar Deal," Financial Times, December 10, 1999, p. 29.

Source: International Directory of Company Histories, Vol.72. St. James Press, 2005.