Universal Corporation - About Us

1886 - J.P. Taylor & Company formed. It was known as “the great shipping and exporting establishment, the largest in the South.”

1918 - Charter of Incorporation issued for Universal Leaf Tobacco Company, Incorporated.

1927 - Universal Leaf Tobacco Company, Inc. listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

1930 - With the severe economic downturn at the beginning of the decade, Universal concentrates on building efficiencies through larger processing volumes and cost-cutting measures.

1930 - The Company continues to expand its presence in foreign markets, most significantly in China and Canada.

1938 - Universal establishes branch in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe).

1940 - The period of World War II and the rebuilding years that followed create challenges for Universal and significant growth opportunities in the U.S. and abroad. Cigarettes become the dominant form of smoked tobacco.

1941 - Universal operations in China suspended during World War II. Cigar leaf operations reorganized under W.H. Winstead Co. of Pennsylvania.

1953 - Universal forms the Rhodesian Leaf Tobacco Co. to develop tobacco exports from Central Africa.

1958 - Universal establishes the first scientific laboratory focused on the tobacco supply chain.

1960 - Universal expands its operations in four continents and develops economies of scale through super plants.

1960 - Universal expands in Rhodesia until U.N. economic sanctions stemming from the country’s civil war cut off the Rhodesian market.

1960 - Growing acceptance of leaf from Malawi leads Universal to form Limbe Leaf Tobacco Company in Malawi.

1961 - Universal builds super plants in Henderson, Smithfield, and Wilson, NC, as well as Canada.

1964 - Universal expands operations in Greece and Italy through a partnership with a Dutch Company.

1970 - Universal enters the Brazilian market through its Dutch partnership.

1984 - Counterflow separator patented to provide more efficient separation of tobacco leaf from its stem.

1986 - Universal acquires NV Deli-Maatschappij, its partner in Greece, Italy and Brazil. This company also brings diversification opportunities in lumber and agri-products.

1988 - The company acquires Thorpe & Ricks in North Carolina, expanding its U.S. base.

1990 - Universal acquires the German company, Gebrueder Kulenkampff AG, expanding activities in Brazil and Turkey, and becoming the world’s leading dark air-cured tobacco merchant.

1996 - Universal implements a global strategy that emphasizes partnerships with customers to promote supply stability.

1998 - The Company announces the beginning of a common share repurchase that develops into a $350 million program.

2001 - Contract leaf purchasing begins in the United States, supplanting the traditional auction market system.

2003 - The grand opening of the state-of-the-art super plant in Nash, North Carolina.

2006 - Opening of Mozambique processing facility.

2007 - Universal marks 37 years of consecutive annual dividend increases.

2008 - George C. Freeman III elected as Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Universal Corporation.

2013 - Universal begins a joint venture known as AmeriNic, Inc. to supply liquid nicotine for the electronic cigarette market.

2014 - Universal develops MobiLeaf, a digital tablet-based solution to efficiently monitor and promote sustainable tobacco production and farmer participation.

2015 - Carolina Recycled Ag Materials, LLC, an onsite compost operation, was developed for the purpose of composting tobacco by-products which consist of dust, leaves and stems.

2015 - Universal announces 45th consecutive annual increase in common stock dividends.

2016 - Universal lauches a new brand featuring an updated logo and website. This begins Universal's countdown to its centennial anniversary in 2018.

2016 - Carolina Innovative Food Ingredients, Inc. (CIFI, Inc.), an endeavor into the fruit and vegetable food ingredients market, is launched. CIFI completes its greenfield processing facility in Nash County, NC and begins sales.

2016 - Universal begins an initiative called the Ripple Effect. It's a renewed mindset that emphasizes our commitment to being a responsible corporate citizen in collaboration with our community partners. It promotes positive transformative change and strong communities.