British American Tobacco Company Description
When people pick up smoking, British American Tobacco (BAT) picks up steam. Spun off in the reorganization of B.A.T. Industries, BAT is the world's #2 tobacco company (behind Marlboro maker Altria Group). The firm makes about 715 billion cigarettes each year and sells them in more than 150 countries. BAT's global cigarette brands include Dunhill, Kent, Lucky Strike, and Pall Mall -- just four in a portfolio of some 300. The company also makes loose tobacco and regional cigarette brands. Its former US unit, Brown & Williamson (Kool and GPC cigarettes), merged with R.J. Reynolds Tobacco (RJRT) in 2004. Reinet Investments SCA, controlled by South African billionaire Johann Rupert, is BAT's largest shareholder.
View the Comprehensive Company Description for British American Tobacco
The Company Description provides a historical perspective of British American Tobacco's organization from inception to current status.
Produced by Hoover's in-house editorial team, the Company Description tracks ownership transitions, company progress via mergers and acquisitions, major growth milestones, and strategic initiatives, to provide a holistic view of British American Tobacco's evolution in the marketplace.
