rjr-june-2012 [read-only]

1875

Richard Joshua Reynolds established a chewing tobacco business in the town of Winston, North Carolina.

In 1890 the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (RJR) was chartered as a corporation by the state of North Carolina.

1899

ATC acquired a majority stake in the RJR.

No image needed – line to ATC

1911

In 1911, the American Tobacco Co. (Trust) was dissolved and RJR reestablished the business as an independent tobacco company.

1913

RJR introduced Camel, a pre-packaged blended cigarette; by

1915 RJR initiated the one-piece, 10-pack

carton.

1931

RJR introduced the Camel humidor pack in 1931 with a moisture-proof, sealed, cellophane outer wrap for freshness.

1942

The Camel billboard erected in Times Square, released smoke rings into the air, and remained in New York City until 1985.

1954

In 1954 RJR launched Winston filter cigarettes, promoting the brand with the slogan, “Winston Tastes Good Like a Cigarette Should.”

By 1958 Winston cigarettes became the top selling brand.

1956

Salem cigarettes, the industry’s first king-size, filtered-menthol, marketed the brand as a “new idea in smoking.”

1960’s

In the mid 1960’s RJR diversified, and acquired food companies such as, Pacific Hawaiian Products the makers

of Hawaiian Punch, Patio Mexican Foods, and Chun King the producers of packaged Chinese food.

1969

RJR launched Doral cigarette the first, “low ‘tar’ and nicotine cigarette with flavor enough to say… ‘taste me.”

1969

RJR purchased Sea-land Service, a shipping

company, and formed a new parent company

named RJR Industries.

1970

.RJR Industries added to their portfolio American Independent Oil Co, better known as Aminoil, a domestic crude oil and

natural gas exploration company.

1974

Competing with Marlboro Lights,

Winston extended its brand line, creating Winston

Lights in 1974.However, in 1976 Marlboro

surpassed Winston as the best selling cigarette.

1979

Del Monte Tropical Fruit Company was acquired by RJR adding pineapples, bananas and canned fruit to their

portfolio.

1982

RJR purchased Heublien Spirits, owners of Kentucky Fried Chicken, Smirnoff Vodka, and Grey Poupon. In 1986 RJR

Nabisco sold Kentucky Fried Chicken to PepsiCo., and in 1987 the alcoholic spirit lines to Grand Metropolitan.

1985

In 1985 RJR Industries sold Aminoil and acquired Nabisco; subsequently RJR Industries was renamed RJR Nabisco.

1988

RJR introduced Joe Camel; RJR uses “tie in” promotion to cross advertise both Mexican Patio Foods and Camel cigarettes.

1988

Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR) a private equity firm, specializing in leverage buyouts, purchased RJR Nabisco in a

hostile takeover bidding war.

1989

1989 Premier cigarettes, a potentially reduced risk product, was test marketed in two cities, however RJR eventually

abandoned the Premier brand.

1996

RJR marketed Eclipse cigarettes as lower risk product.

1997

Winston cigarettes reformulated their brand and marketed new Winston “No Bull no additive cigarette.”

2001

In 2001 RJR acquired Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company, makers of the American Spirit brand.

2003

During 2003, RJR and British American Tobacco PLC entered into an agreement forming a new publicly traded holding

company, Reynolds American, Inc. (RAI).

2008

RAI acquired Conwood Smokeless Tobacco Company, and changed the companies name to the American Snuff Company.

2009

RJR nationally launched Camel Snus, a Smokeless Tobacco product; the following year RJR test marketed Camel

Dissolvables.

2009

Reynolds American purchased Niconovum AB, makers of the Zonnic Pouch, Zonnic Mouth Spray, and Zonnic Gum.