Philip Morris International

Philip Morris International (PMI) was established in 1847 and has since become one of the largest tobacco companies globally, employing approximately 82,700 people.

In 1854, Philip Morris produced his first cigarettes.

In 1870, the headquarters at 22 New Bond Street, London, started producing Philip Morris Cambridge and Philip Morris Oxford Blues, which were later renamed Oxford Ovals and Philip Morris Blues.

In 1872, Gustav Eckmeyer became the exclusive agent for Philip Morris in the United States, handling the import and sale of English-made cigarettes.

In 1881, Leopold Morris, son of Philip Morris, partnered with Joseph Grunebaum to establish Philip Morris & Company and Grunebaum, Ltd.

In 1885, Leopold Morris partnered with Joseph Grunebaum to form Philip Morris & Company and Grunebaum, Ltd.

In 1902, Marlboro is established and registered as a trademark, eventually becoming one of the most famous brands for the company. This marked a significant milestone in the company's history.

In 1919, Philip Morris introduced the iconic coronet logo. This logo became a symbol of the company's brand identity.

In 1926, the Philip Morris International Corp. was dissolved.

In 1945, Otway Chalkley assumes the role of Chairman of the Board, while Alfred E. Lyon takes on the position of President at Philip Morris.

Alfred E. Lyon takes over as Chairman of the Board in 1949, while O. Parker McComas assumes the role of President at Philip Morris, signifying a shift in leadership within the company.

In 1954, Marlboro was re-packaged and test-marketed as a full-flavored man's cigarette by Philip Morris.

In 1960, a new slide and shell package design was successfully introduced for Benson & Hedges, the top-selling premium-priced cigarette brand in America.

In 1961, Philip Morris signed a license agreement with SEITA, the French Tobacco monopoly, for the manufacture and distribution of Parliament.

In 1962, the 'Marlboro Country' ad slogan was introduced in selected markets.

In January 1964, the Surgeon General's Report on Smoking and Health was issued, highlighting the negative health effects of smoking.

In January 1965, Marlboro production started in France under a licensing agreement with SEITA, the French tobacco monopoly.

On January 1, 1967, the corporate structure of Philip Morris was reorganized to establish Philip Morris Incorporated and three operating companies: Philip Morris Domestic, Philip Morris International, and Philip Morris Industrial. Joseph F. Cullman 3rd became the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Philip Morris Incorporated.

In August 1968, Philip Morris acquired Godfrey Phillips Ltd., a British holding company, which gave them interests in various companies including Godfrey Phillips India, Ltd., Premier Tobacco Industries Ltd. in Pakistan, and Godfrey Phillips New Zealand (later renamed Philip Morris (New Zealand) Ltd.).

In January 1969, Philip Morris Incorporated announced that their operating revenues for 1968 surpassed $1 billion for the first time, marking a significant milestone for the company.

In June 1969, Philip Morris purchased 53% ownership of Miller Brewing Co. from W.R. Grace & Co.

In October 1969, Philip Morris signed a license agreement with Fabrika Duvana Sarajevo in Yugoslavia for the production of Marlboro cigarettes.

In June 1970, Philip Morris gained full control of Miller Brewing by purchasing the outstanding shares. This acquisition marked a significant move in the beverage industry.

During August 1970, Philip Morris bought 47% of the stock of Miller Brewing from the De Rance Foundation in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This transaction further solidified Philip Morris's position in the brewing sector.

On January 2, 1971, a ban on cigarette TV and radio advertising went into effect.

By the end of 1972, Marlboro had achieved the status of being the best-selling cigarette globally.

In January 1973, Philip Morris Incorporated achieved a milestone as their operating revenues exceeded $2 billion for the first time.

In May 1973, Surtech Coating Co. was established by Philip Morris Industrial, showcasing the company's diversification into coating technologies beyond its traditional tobacco business.

Philip Morris International advocates for the regulation of the tobacco industry during the public hearings on the Framework Convention for Tobacco Control held by the World Health Organization.

In 2005, Philip Morris International announced an agreement with the China National Tobacco Company (CNTC) for the licensed production of Marlboro in China and the establishment of an international equity joint venture outside China.

Philip Morris International has invested 12.5 billion dollars since 2008 to develop, scientifically substantiate, and commercialize smoke-free products.

The company's flagship smoke-free innovation has become the top nicotine brand worldwide within less than a decade of its introduction, showcasing the shift away from traditional cigarettes.

Philip Morris International is commemorating eight years of developing smoke-free products at PMI.

In 2010, Philip Morris International lobbied against Uruguay's anti-smoking laws and filed a complaint under the Switzerland-Uruguay bilateral investment treaty. In 2016, the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes ruled in favour of Uruguay.

PMI and Altria Group, Inc. establish a strategic framework where Altria provides e-cigarette products to PMI for international commercialization, and PMI offers two smoke-free products to Altria for commercialization in the United States.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) grants authorization for the sale of PMI's IQOS in the United States, affirming its potential benefits for public health after a thorough evaluation of PMI's premarket tobacco product applications from 2017.

In July 2021, Philip Morris International agreed to acquire Vectura for £1 billion, expanding its presence in the pharmaceutical industry.

Philip Morris International commemorates its 15th anniversary as a publicly traded company by ringing the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange. The event highlights the company's commitment to smoke-free innovation and its mission to eventually eliminate cigarettes.

Philip Morris International operates two smoke-free product research facilities in Switzerland and Singapore, with over 1,586 research and development scientists, engineers, and technicians dedicated to smoke-free products.

Jacek Olczak, CEO of Philip Morris International, announces the launch of an anti-smoking campaign, aiming to make smoking history.

Philip Morris International announces its ambition to transition into a more than two-thirds majority smoke-free company by 2030, emphasizing a shift towards smoke-free products for adult smokers.