GODFREY PHILLIPS LTD
The Godfrey Phillips company was founded in 1844 in Bevis Marks in Aldgate, London, by the cigar maker Godfrey Phillips, who was the eldest son of Henry Phillips, born in the countryside outside London in October 1826. When his sons were old enough and worked in the business, the name of the firm was changed to Godfrey Phillips & Sons Ltd. On August 21, 1900 Godfrey Phillips died and in 1908 the company was sold, and Godfrey Phillips, Limited was formed. The first directors were the partners- Joseph Phillips, chairman, Philip Phillips, David Phillips, Spencer Phillips and Arthur Phillips. Later, the business was listed on the London Stock Exchange as Godfrey Phillips Plc. In 1936, Godfrey Phillips (India), Limited was created; the building of native architecture was dedicated to the production of the group’s brands Cavander’s, De Reszke and Greys. In 1967, Godfrey Phillips Ltd. of London entered into an agreement with International Tobacco Co. that opened a factory in northern India to produce on behalf of the company. After the merger of D. Macropolo & Co. Ltd., with the company, International Tobacco Co. Ltd. became a subsidiary of it. In 1968, Philip Morris Inc. made a takeover bid for Godfrey Phillips Plc and the family shareholders were unable to prevent the sale of the company. Godfrey Phillips India has manufacturing facilities in Rabale in Navi Mumbai and two units in Ghaziabad (near Delhi). They also have an R&D center in Mumbai and a food R&D center in Ghaziabad, and a tobacco procurement unit in Guntur (Andhra Pradesh). Godfrey Phillips India has an international division for exporting its own brands of cigarettes, cut and blended tobacco, tobacco leaf and providing technical services and contract manufacturing.
