Cigarette Makers Might Join Forces

Tue., Jan. 12, 1999

From Staff

British American Tobacco PLC, the maker of Lucky Strike, Kent and other cigarettes, is expanding its global business with the planned $7.48 billion acquisition of rival Rothmans International BV.

The merger announced Monday would create a tobacco maker with 16 percent share of the world cigarette market, making it the second-largest global cigarette company after Philip Morris Cos. Philip Morris, manufacturer of Marlboro and other brands, has 17 percent of the world market.

British-based BAT is now the No. 2 seller internationally, and Netherlands-based Rothmans is No. 4. Together they produced more than 900 billion cigarettes in 1997.

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Cigarette Makers Might Join Forces

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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