Imperial Tobacco acquires Commonwealth Brands

Stefanie Ives

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The tobacco company has completed the takeover of US cigarette manufacturer Commonwealth Brands

Imperial Tobacco Group, the world’s fourth largest tobacco company, has taken over Kentucky-based Commonwealth Brands. The cigarette manufacturer is the fourth largest in the US, with a 3.7% share of the $376bn US cigarette market.

Imperial Tobacco Group CEO Gareth Davis said: “I am delighted that we have concluded the approvals process for our acquisition of Commonwealth Brands. As well as providing an enhanced operating platform, the acquisition provides us with access to the North American Free Trade Agreement region which will help us to be more competitive when developing our presence in Canada and Mexico, where we have recently launched Davidoff cigarettes.”

Imperial Tobacco Group sells its cigarettes, tobaccos, rolling papers, filter tubes and cigars in over 130 countries worldwide. Its brands include Lambert & Butler, Superkings, Davidoff and Rizla.