Imperial Tobacco Company of Great Britain and Ireland

The formation of Imperial came about as a result from the threat of competition from The American Tobacco Company (ATC). This threat was spearheaded by ATC’s head, James Buchanan Duke. Duke went to England in 1901 with the hope of buying up several independent tobacco companies there.

In response to Duke’s takeover attempt, thirteen family-run businesses, led by Wills, Players and Lamber & Butler, met in December 1901. At this meeting they formed The Imperial Tobacco Company (Great Britain and Ireland) Limited, and elected Sir William Henry Wills (who became Lord Winterstoke in 1906) as the chairman. Imperial continued to work as separate companies, trading under their own names and being responsible for their own sales and manufacture.

The home office of the firm was established in Great Britain with branches also located in Ireland. The American headquarters of the company was established in Richmond, Va. and operates branches throughout the southeastern United States.

By 1960, the company began refocusing its mission in a more diversified manner. This focus was away from tobacco, and more toward the food, drink and leisure industries. In 1969 it changed its name to Imperial Tobacco Group Limited.)