Lorillards

Lorillard Tobacco Company, commonly known as Lorillard, was an American tobacco company founded in 1760 by Pierre Lorillard in New York City. It grew into one of the oldest and largest tobacco manufacturers in the United States, producing cigars and later cigarettes for a national market. In the early to mid-20th century the company expanded its cigarette operations, introducing several enduring brands, including Old Gold and Newport. Newport, a menthol cigarette brand launched in the late 1950s, became one of the company's best-selling products and helped Lorillard play a prominent role in the menthol segment of the U.S. market.

Corporate evolution and ownership changes followed decades of growth. In 2014, Reynolds American announced its plan to acquire Lorillard for about $27.4 billion; the deal closed in 2015, and Lorillard ceased to operate as an independent company. Lorillard's brands were integrated into Reynolds American's portfolio, and the combined company continued to market them under the Reynolds American umbrella.

The acquisition and subsequent corporate realignments reflected broader consolidation in the U.S. tobacco industry. In 2017, British American Tobacco (BAT) completed its acquisition of Reynolds American, bringing Lorillard’s former brands under BAT's U.S. operations. As a result, the Lorillard corporate entity no longer exists, but its legacy brands remain active within the portfolio of BAT through Reynolds American's structure.

Lorillard’s historical significance lies in its long tenure as a major American tobacco producer and in the marketing of influential brands that shaped market dynamics and competitive strategies in the mid-to-late 20th century.