Swan's History
With over 130 years of history behind it, Swan and its sister brands are synonymous with the finest matches and smoking accessories.
1844
1844
William Bryant and Francis May went into partnership, supplying general provisions from London.1850
1850
Bryant & May placed first order for matches from Swedish Match manufacturers, Lundstrom of Jankoping.1861
1861
Bryant & May set up manufacturing site at Fairfield Works, Bow in London to cope with demand for newly invented safety matches.1864
Between 1864 & 1868
New 'strike anywhere' match was launched by Bryant & May.1883
1883
'Swan wax matches' were launched.1884
1884
Bryant & May was incorporated as a public company.1906
1906
'Swan Vestas’ were launched - following the Bryant and May merger with the Diamond Match Company.1917
1917
Swedish Match Company was formed.1921
1921
Bryant & May acquired state-of-the-art factory at Garston, Liverpool and another site in Leeds. At their peak, they also had sites in Glasgow and, via subsidiaries, in Gloucester and Belfast.1927
1927
British Match Corporation (BMC) was formed - a collaboration between Bryant & May and Swedish Match.1973
1973
BMC acquired Wilkinson Sword Ltd and changed its name to Wilkinson Match Ltd. It retained Bryant & May as a separate, named business.1981
1981
Bryant & May started selling lighters.
1984
1984
Bryant & May started selling other tobacco accessories (lighter fluid, lighter gas, etc) under the Swan brand name.1985
1985
Swan cigarette papers were launched.1994
1994
Liverpool factory closed and match manufacturing was transferred to the Swedish Match factory in Tidaholm.1997
1997
On 1st January, Bryant & May Ltd changed its name to Swedish Match Ltd.2008
2008
In December, Swedish Match AB sold the UK business to Republic Technologies International.2009
2009
In February, Swedish Match UK Ltd changed its name to Republic Technologies (UK) Ltd.2012
2012
Major rebranding of Swan Papers and Filters.