Universal Corporation is one of the world's leading tobacco merchants. Incorporated in 1886, Universal is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, in the United States.
Current operations
Universal buys, sells, and processes flue-cured and burley tobacco. It also holds a 49% interest in Socotab, LLC, a large dealer in oriental leaf tobaccos. The company does not manufacture cigarettes or other consumer tobacco products, although its largest customer is Altria Group (owner of Philip Morris USA).
Universal common stock is part of the S&P 600 index.
History
After the 1911 breakup of the American Tobacco Company trust, Jacquelin P. Taylor incorporated Universal out of six formerly independent leaf merchants.[2]
On January 3, 2020, Universal purchased FruitSmart.[3]