Swisher International

Swisher International is an American tobacco manufacturer most widely known for its machine-made cigars, Swisher Sweets. It has a portfolio of other products as well, including 3 categories of smokeless tobacco.

## History

Swisher International got its start in 1861 when David Swisher, a traveling salesman, received a small cigar business as settlement for a debt. Almost 30 years later, David's sons showed an interest in expanding the cigar business and looked to increase production. By 1895, the Swisher Brothers had three factories capable of hand-rolling 300,000 cigars per day. In 1913, John Swisher purchased his brother, Harry's, interest in the company and brought in his son, renaming the company Jon. H. Swisher & Son. In 1918, they introduced the King Edward cigar brand. In 1923, they re-located from the Midwest to Jacksonville, Florida.

While much of the nation was crippled by the Great Depression, the Swisher family was able to implement machine-rolling technology, cutting the cost per cigar significantly, and demand remained high. By 1940, King Edward cigars were the world's best selling cigar. In 1958, the namesake Swisher Sweets brand that is still widely popular today was introduced. The company began a series of acquisitions in the 1980s supported by their strong cigar sales.

In 1985, Swisher acquired Corral Wodiska y Ca., maker of Bering Premium cigars. In early 1986, Swisher purchased the Universal Cigar Company, which included the brands Optimo, La Primadora, Santa Fe, and El Trelles, as well as another manufacturing plant. After strengthening its cigar portfolio, the company decided to diversify into smokeless tobacco, and decided to purchase the Helme Tobacco Company. Helme's brands included Silver Creek and Redwood moist snuff; Lancaster, Chattanooga Chew, and Mail Pouch; and Navy, Lorillard, and Railroad Mills dry snuff brands. Helme had production facilities in Helmetta, NJ and Wheeling, WV; the Wheeling facility is still in use today.

In 1986, the Helme Tobacco Company was acquired by American Maize Products Co., which also owned Swisher. Helme and Swisher operated separately until the two companies merged in 1994.

### History of Helme Tobacco

Since Swisher's smokeless products would not exist without the Helme Tobacco Company, it is also important to include its history. There had been snuff mills dating back to 1750 in North Brunswick, NJ with the Parsons mill. In the mid to late 1800s, George W. Helme built a snuff mill and tobacco factory in an area formerly called "Railroad Mills" that he renamed Helmetta, New Jersey, in honor of his daughter.

## Current Brands

Dipping tobacco is currently available in the following brands:

* Creek
* Kayak

Chewing tobacco is currently available in the following brands:

* Bowie
* Chattanooga Chew
* Lancaster
* Mail Pouch
* Starr

Dry snuff is currently available in the following brands:

* Buttercup
* Honey Bee
* Lorillard
* Navy
* Railroad Mills
* Society
* Square
* Superior
* Tops

Limited information is available on Swisher's dry snuff products. Reports indicate that a discount tier of seeminly unbranded, flavored dry snuffs do exist, with such names as "Strawberry", "Wild Cherry", etc. It is unknown at this time how many are available or the extent of their distribution.

## Former Brands

Dipping tobacco:

* Cooper
* Gold River
* Redwood
* Silver Creek (renamed Creek)

Chewing tobacco:

* Jackson's Apple Jack

## References

1. ↑ https://www.referenceforbusiness.com/history2/66/Swisher-International-Group-Inc.html
2. ↑ https://media.bizj.us/view/archive/jacksonville/pdf/Swisher\_International\_Ryan\_Retirement\_Announcement.pdf
3. ↑ http://abnf.co/NJ-helme\_tobacco\_history.htm