TobaccoToday » Acquisitions

Protabaco – Colombia

Chris Crawley — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 18:08:42 +0000

When PMI made a firm bid to buy Protabaco in Colombia most, including myself, thought the deal would not be turned down by the Colombian Government. We were wrong.

Now PMI (PHILIP MORRIS INTERNATIONAL) is asking Colombian regulators to reconsider their plan to buy Protabaco but it is not at all clear if the government will overturn its decision as PMI already owns what used to be rival Coltabaco – based in Medellin Colombia. Together they control 90%+ of the local Colombian market, which is around 20 billion sticks.

Colombia’s Superintendent of Industry and Commerce rejected PMI’s bid to buy Protabaco for $452 million.

Interestingly, does this open the door for rival BAT to gain entry into the Colombian market? We think it does. Watch this space or provide a comment.

Protabaco manufactures Mustang, Premier and President.

Imperial UK sells Sodim to Hauni

Chris Crawley — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:57:44 +0000

Hauni Maschinenbau AG acquired Sodim SAS from Imperial Tobacco Group Plc on February 2 2010.

The sale by Imperial is no great surprise as Sodim clearly did not represent core business activities and was probably slated for sale soon after Imperial acquired Altadis.

In a press release Sodim reiterated its personnel, biz relationships, and location remain unaffected.

Perhaps of greater interest are the potential repercussions of this acquisition.

Premises are likely to be consolidated in the longer term – perhaps merging with Hauni’s affiliate Decoulfe.

Sodim has enjoyed a recent virtual monopoly within Imperial and this may change.

Huni on the other hand has previously worked with market leader Cerulean in developing on-line measurement systems to complement machinery.

What’s your view?

This new relationship provides Hauni with an important additional portfolio of products in the areas of metrology and measurement systems.

Philip Morris International looking at the e-cig business?

Lou Maiellano — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:06:05 +0000

PMI Reported To Be In Negotiations With Ruyan

An OfficialWire report on November 4th said Philip Morris International is in negotiations with Ruyan Group, the manufacturer of the original e-cigarette in 2005. According to an article on Quamnet.com, “Ruyan Group said that an agreement between the Company and Philip Morris International Management S.A. could not be reached on matters relating to the co-operation between them on its ‘electronic cigarettes’ by the end of the first and exclusive phase of negotiations.” It is unclear what the news could mean for the e-cigarette industry, but “Philip Morris wants in,” the report said (OfficialWire 11/4).

Can anyone shed light on this possibility? Is it a possibility? Why Ruyan? If not Ruyan then who? Or is someone just blowing a lot of smoke (vapor)? What would this do to all the competition if it became a reality? Could Marlboro one day have an electronic version? What are your thoughts? Does PMI really want in?

German Tobacoo Group seeks investors in European value brands

Chris Crawley — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 15:22:10 +0000

German Tobacco welcomes investors
Feb 12, 2009—German Tobacco Group (GTC) of Frankfurt, Germany, is seeking strategic investors and partners for completion of its first two acquisitions of German cigarette manufactures and the international launch of its S.A.L.E. brand.

Introduced to Austrian and German markets in 2007, S.A.L.E. focuses on the dynamically growing international value brand’ segment in Europe.

With a market volume of 95 billion cigarettes, 20 million adult smokers, a shift from premium to value brands and a predictable tobacco taxation policy, Germany is still an attractive operating environment for tobacco companies, according to GTG.

What’s more, Germany still allows billboard advertising and recently loosened smoking restrictions in bars and restaurants.

For more information……… visit

http://tobaccoreporter.com/home.php?id=498&art=1926

or contact……….

Thomas Deng Mahmoud Schumann
German Tobacco Group AG
An der Welle 4
D-60322 Frankfurt
Ph +49-69-257389-83, Fax -84

Aufsichtsratsvorsitzender/Chairman:Thomas Deng Mahmoud Schumann
Vorstand: Herbert Neumeister (CEO), Gunnar Anger (CFO)
Registergericht/Commercial Register: Amtsgericht Frankfurt HRB76711

Altria Closes UST Acquisition – What Does This Mean?

Fuente — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 09:16:54 +0000

Altria Group Inc. announced on January 6th that it has closed its acquisition of UST Inc., the parent of US Smokeless Tobacco Company, in a $10.4 billion, or $69.50 per share, deal announced in September 2008. Altria will assume $1.3 billion in debt. Altria’s purchase of UST gives it a leading position in the growing smokeless tobacco market. Altria Group CEO Michael Szymanczyk said the integration of UST will position the company well, as domestic cigarette sales are declining by 3-4% annually (AP 1/6).

The long rumored, highly anticipated rumor has come to reality as the acquisition has come to a close. But now a new chapter will be written as the industry in the midst of it’s most severe challenges will watch how this acquisition plays it’s part in the never ending tobacoo saga.

So what does this acquisition mean to the industry?

What affect will it have on retail?

What about it’s affect on cobsumers?

Will it encourage the argument for the the reduction of harm of moist tobacco products?

What are your thoughts on how PM will integrate USST into their business?

How will it affect product development?

Will it affect taxation of moist tobacco products?

Will pricing of moist tobacco products be affected by the ever increasing price of a pack of cigarettes?

Or will the low end MST products hold pricing in line?

So many questions?

What do you think?

What does this acquisition really mean?

What’s the title of the next chapter?

Merger mania!

Chris Crawley — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:35:06 +0000

I recently had a one-sided conversation with a senior executive on the supply side of the industry. His premise was Reynolds (American) was readying itself to buy Lorillard. I disagreed.

Further incensed by my lack of clarity he pushed on declaring it “was obvious / inevitable” – not to me it seems!

It had all been thought out. Reynolds buys Lorillard – relocating it to Whitaker Park in Winston-Salem, consolidating it into existing premises with all the staff reductions and cost savings imaginable.

This was further evidenced on the market side by the recent announcement from Reynolds to de-emphasize Kool. The conclusion was in favor of the soon-to-be Reynolds brand – Newport!

Good theory – I still don’t buy it.

What’s your thought?

What’s happening at Altadis?

Fuente — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 06:33:16 +0000

First a price increase in June. Then another in September? Volume declines while others are growing? And what’s this I hear about a mandatory 3% shipping charge? Is this a first? Is money that tight? I hear folks are not happy with all this? What’s next? Is there something we need to know? Any one know what’s going on at Altadis? Or is it an effect caused by consolidation of the industry? Give me the scoop! I wanna know what’s up!

REYNOLDS AMERICAN INC. BUYS LORILLARD TOBACCO?

Fuente — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 03:56:57 +0000

So will this be a future headline that we will all be greeted by or is there another entity that will reach deep into their pockets and ante up a whole lot of peso’s. Or will Lorillard actually reach out and diversify their business? Is Swedish Match in their sights? How does Nat Sherman or National Tobacco fit? Or does Reynolds go down to Jacksonville and talk to the Swisher boys? So what are your thoughts? Are there any other combinations that make sense. So as the consolidation continues has it affected the business? Or is that all still to come in the future? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

I am Fuente and I have been in the Tobacco business many, many years I and appreciate the opportunity that Chris Crawley has offered me to post blogs on this very informative tobacco blog.

Altria to buy UST!

Chris Crawley — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 21:51:59 +0000

Earlier postings on Tobacco Today – some months ago predicted PM USA would acquire either Swedish Match or USST to gain a significant entry into the smokelsss market. Evidently they’ve made their move – and we think its a smart move for PM USA.

They gain immediate participation in large portions of the smokeless category with big market shares. PM also gains significant product development access further enabling it to gain future synergies.

So who will acquire Swedish Match?

PMI to Acquire RBH – Canada

Chris Crawley — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 20:25:25 +0000

PMI already owned over 40% of RBH anyway but this is an interesting move for PMI – what’s next?

More acquisitions in Canada?

Does this signal an interest in Virginia markets?