Rembrandt Group

Rembrandt was split into Remgro (an investment company with financial, mining and industrial interests) and Richemont (a Swiss-based luxury goods group).

Rupert launched the group in 1948 when he was working as a chemistry lecturer at the University of Pretoria, purchased two small cigarette-making machines, and was granted a concession to sell cigarettes.

[3] The cash generated from the sale of tobacco was invested to diversify the group's assets (mining and metals, energy and banking).

Richemont also owns such luxury brands as Cartier (jewellery); Alfred Dunhill and Sulka (designer clothing); Seeger (leather bags); Piaget, Baume & Mercier and Vacheron Constantin (Swiss watches) and Montblanc (pens).

[4] In 1995 Rembrandt and Richemont consolidated their respective tobacco interests into Rothmans International, which was at the time the world's fourth largest cigarette manufacturer.