, is a
Holding Company founded in
1969 as '''''American Brands''''' and later re-named in
1997 . The corporate headquarters are in
Lincolnshire, Illinois .
The
American Tobacco Company was founded in
1890 , and in
1969 American Brands became its parent company.
In
1987 American Brands acquired ACCO, a holding company which owned several office supply subsidiaries, which included the
Swingline brand. On
March 16 ,
2005 , the company announced that it will spin ACCO off again to sell the division to
General Binding Corporation .
The
Acushnet Company (purchased in
1976 ) is Fortune Brands'
Golf division, producing the
Titleist brands of
Golf Ball s, FootJoy sports-related clothing such as shoes and gloves, and Cobra golf clubs.
Fortune sold off the Acushnet Company's ''Acushnet Rubber'' division in
1985 , which was Acushnet's original business (circa early
1900s ).
Included in this division are Moen, Therma-Tru and Master Lock, among other well known brands.
Fortune Brands has been building a stable of well known
Wine and
Spirits brands including
Jim Beam , Knob Creek and El Tesoro.
In July 2005, Fortune Brands acquired a number of brands from Pernod Ricard following Pernod Ricard’s acquisition of Allied Domecq.
Brands being acquired by Fortune Brands include: • Sauza tequila • Courvoisier cognac • Canadian Club whisky • Clos du Bois and other Sonoma and Napa wine brands • Laphroaig malt whisky • Teacher’s Scotch whisky • Cockburn port • Harveys sherries • Larios gin • DYC whisky • Fundador Spanish brandy • Centenario Spanish brandy • Kuemmerling German bitters.
Fortune Brands’ agreement with Pernod Ricard also includes the purchase of the Maker’s Mark bourbon brand, which remains subject to regulatory clearance in the United States. While the U.S.
Federal Trade Commission conducts its review, Maker’s Mark will be owned and managed by Pernod Ricard and Pernod Ricard will receive the earnings on the brand. Fortune Brands will be compensated with interest payments pending transfer of the brand.
