Rothmans International plc
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Rothmans International plc. was a British tobacco and beer manufacturer, now merged into British American Tobacco. Its brands included Rothmans and Dunhill. Its headquarters were in Essex.
Sponsorship of motorsports
Rothmans was an active promoter of motorsports, principally in Europe, yet in world championships series.
Since 1982, they supported the factory Porsche effort, winning the 1982 24 Hours of Le Mans 1-2-3 with their Porsche 956. Rothsmans-Porsche also won the World Sportscar Championship, many other races and later Le Mans events in the 1980s.
Also, in 1980s Grand Prix motorcycle racing, Rothmans supported Honda, e.g. Freddie Spencer.
In F1, they sponsored Williams F1 during their mid 1990s World Championship heyday.
Timeline
- 1890 A tobacco company is founded by Louis Rothman.
- 1900 Rothman opens a showroom, Rothmans of Pall Mall. This is a shop of long standing which receives deliveries daily by horse and cart even today.
- 1905 King Edward VII grants Rothmans a royal warrant.
- 1929 Rothmans is traded on the stock market.
- 1954 Rembrandt Tobacco Company acquires controlling interest in Rothmans.
- 1958 Rembrandt acquires Carreras Ltd.
- 1967 Carreras acquires 51% stake in Alfred Dunhill, Ltd..
- 1972 Rothmans provides corporate financial support for the British olympic team.
- 1976 Rothmans provides corporate financial support for the inaugural Hong Kong Sevens.
- June 1993 Rothmans launches Marlboro Light King Size.
- January 1996 Rembrandt Group and Richemont merge their tobacco business under the Rothmans International name.
- 1999 Rothmans merges with British American Tobacco.
Trivia
Rothmans cigarettes are said to be a favourite of the leader of North Korea, General Secretary Kim Jong-Il.
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