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.

    Cricket (owners of Swan) was the first disposable lighter brand in the world.

  • 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. Major rebranding of Swan Papers and Filters