Altadis U.S.A. history

SEITA added the final initial to its name in 1935 when the production of matches (allumettes) was placed under its monopoly control as well.

In 1953 SEITA launched a third brand of cigarettes, the Royale.

1959: SEITA's status is adjusted to that of a state-owned industrial/commercial concern.

1962: SEITA employees are no longer considered civil servants.

Other changes were in store as the European countries worked toward the formation of the European Economic Community (EEC). In 1968 SEITA introduced its first "foreign" brand, adding the production, under license, of Pall Mall cigarettes.

1970: SEITA loses monopoly on tobacco cultivation in France.

More successful for the company was the 1984 launch of Gauloises Blondes, which enabled the company to hold on to its market leadership in France.

By 1985, Virginian tobacco sales in Spain had already risen to 44 percent of the total tobacco sales, and were on the verge of surpassing those of black tobacco.

1986: Tabacalera is partially privatized when Spain joins the EEC. The company diversifies into food products.

In 1987, under the presidency of Candido Velazquez Gaztelu, Tabacalera launched a wide-ranging diversification plan aimed at ensuring the company's future in the less secure post-monopoly commercial environment.

He described Velazquez's diversification program as "too ambitious," as reported by Reuters News Service on June 21, 1990. Therefore, Velazquez's successor as chairman, Miguel Angel del Valle Inclan, took office in 1989 and began a process of rationalizing the group's food and distribution activities.

In 1990, Tabacalera took a 33 percent stake in a joint venture to build a ESP 10 billion tourist complex in the Canary Islands.

In 1991, on post tax revenues of nearly FRF 13 billion, SEITA earned a net profit of FRF 226 million.

The deal was structured so that RJR Nabisco would have the option of purchasing the remaining 50 percent of Royal Brands in early 1994, which it did in May of that year.

1995: SEITA, renamed Seita, is privatized.

Seita continued to play the role of a tax collector for the French government, a position that came to the company's aid in 1997.

In addition to handcrafting premium cigars, Altadis United StatesA. established the Montecristo Relief Organization in 1999 to raise funds for charities to bring renewed hope to victims devastated by hurricanes and other natural disasters.

As one commentator wrote in The Economist of December 21, 2000, the merger "combines two small, fat and badly managed companies.

In 2002, Altadis opened a new cigarette factory in Alicante, Spain, that took over production from closed factories in Valencia, Madrid, San Sebastian, and an older plant in Alicante.

In 2003, Altadis acquired the internet seller 800-JR Cigar, Inc., one of the largest cigar retailers in the United States.

In 2004, Altadis Group economic sales rose 3.9% to euro 3.518 million with a staff of 27 500 people.

On 18 July 2007, the board of Altadis backed a €16.2 billion offer for the company by Imperial Tobacco.

The acquisition was completed on 25 February 2008 with the delisting of Altadis from the Bolsa de Madrid.

Also launched at the 2010 IPCPR, Dos Familias (Two Families) by Ortez y Turrent is the culmination of the artistry and experience of Alejandro Turrent and famed Nicaraguan cigar maker Omar Ortez.