The story
Founded by Alfred Dunhill in 1907, in London.1
Early history
Alfred Dunhill Limited was developed by Alfred Dunhill (1872–1959) after he inherited his father's saddlery business on London's Euston Road at the age of 21 in 1893. Alfred Dunhill developed a line of automobile accessories called "Dunhill's Motorities". This first collection included car horns and lamps, leather overcoats, goggles, picnic sets and timepieces, which provided the company with the strap line of "Everything But The Motor". Within a few years, the business moved towards the luxury market with the opening of two Dunhill Motorities stores in Mayfair. In 1904 Dunhill had patented a "Windshield Pipe" to help a driver smoke while driving. Dunhill's first tobacconist and pipe shop opened in 1907 on Duke Street. Dunhill retired from the business in the 1920s, leaving the position of managing director and president to his brother Alfred-Henry, then daughter Mary, and finally his grandson Richard.
Later history
In the mid-1950s, Dunhill produced one of the first butane gas lighters. This design has remained relatively unchanged since and was regularly used by James Bond in both print and on the screen.
In 1967, Rothmans International, which was controlled by Anton Rupert's Rembrandt Group, acquired 50.6% of the company. By 1975, Dunhill had sales of £35 million, 75% of which came from lighters. In 1977, the company acquired 59.6% of the West German manufacturer and distributor of high quality writing instruments, Montblanc, for Deutschemark 6.4 million and the brand was used on a wide range of luxury goods other than pens. By the late 1970s, Alfred Dunhill was offering a range of 3,500 luxury products in more than 20 stores round the world. In 1979 and 1980, Dunhill acquired 36.8% of jewellers, Asprey and tried to gain control but failed, although made £1 million profit from the venture. By 1985, the group's revenues had increased over ten times in ten years to £450 million, with only 10% now being from the traditional business. In March 1985, the company expanded further, acquiring French fashion house, Chloé, for £6.5 million and took its ownership in Montblanc up to 100% from 91%.
Alfred Dunhill began sponsoring golf tournaments in 1985, with the first annual Dunhill Cup golf tournament, following up in 2001 with its successor, the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
By 1993, Rothmans owned 57% of Dunhill and it was decided to separate the groups, with one for tobacco (a new Rothmans International) and one for luxury goods (Vendôme Luxury Group), with Dunhill becoming wholly owned by Vendôme, together with Cartier. Vendôme was controlled by Richemont, founded by Anton Rupert's son Johann.
Dunhill also released fragrances, with a ten-year licensing agreement with Inter Parfums, Inc. made in 2013, replacing a prior agreement with Procter & Gamble. The brand's first perfume (Dunhill for Men) was launched in 1934.
From Wikipedia’s article on Alfred Dunhill Limited, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.4