Sale of F.J. Burrus

The factory was sold in 1996 to Rothmans, later to become BAT.

The Ruperts were longtime competitors of the Burruses, who had a special relationship with them because the two families shared a common business philosophy. Then ROTHMANS INTERNATIONAL acquired the company and agreed to maintain the factory and F.J. Burrus’ headquarters at Boncourt. The deal was completed in 1996. ROTHMANS closed its Wetzikon factory and transferred its business to Boncourt. Three years later, in January 1999, ROTHMANS merged with BAT (British American Tobacco), which took over company leadership. BAT moved its production and headquarters from Geneva to Boncourt, and transferred its commercial activities to the Burrus building in Lausanne.

Company employees are delighted that the industrial site has remained so active. Not only has it not disappeared, it continues to grow and develop. The factories have gotten bigger, the pace has picked up, the industrial buildings have been renovated, and both plant and machinery are kept constantly up-to-date. This year marks the 200^th anniversary of the site.