TODAY, REPUBLIC GROUP IS THE LEADING GLOBAL MANUFACTURER OF ROLLING PAPER BOOKLETS, PRODUCING MORE THAN A BILLION BOOKLETS EVERY YEAR.
Our story began in 1838, when Jean Bardou, Perpignan-based baker, had the brilliant idea to cut some thin sheets of paper into a booklet of cigarette rolling papers. A diamond, representing Perpignan’s coat of arms, is nestled between his initials on the booklet. At first glance, it looks like an O, and those rolling papers became JOB papers, which were manufactured by Société JOB, the company created by the Bardou family.
They erected cigarette paper production plants in central Perpignan. Over the years, the appearance of the booklets evolved; the different kinds of papers used grew and diversified.
1822
The “Papeterie de l’Odet” paper factory opens in Brittany, France.
1838
Jean Bardou sells the first JOB paper booklets in Perpignan, France.
1883
SWAN is created in the UK, becoming iconic for matches, rolling papers, and filters across the country.
1894
ZIG-ZAG is created by Braunstein in France, pioneering the patented interleaved booklet of rolling papers.
1918
Birth of the OCB brand in Brittany, France.
1928
Creation of the TOP Roll-Your-Own brand.
1956
Bolloré and JOB buy Braunstein and the ZIG-ZAG brand.
1969
Don Levin creates the predecessor of Republic Brands in Chicago.
1972
Republic Brands acquires exclusive distribution rights for JOB paper booklets in the United States.
1986
OCB, JOB, and ZIG-ZAG rolling papers are all produced in the same factory in Perpignan.
1987
TOP Tobacco, US, joins the Group as the leading RYO brand, and OCB is acquired for the US market.
2000
Republic Group acquires the company which name becomes Republic Technologies International.
2002
ALTESSE, an Austrian tube producer, joins the Group, becoming a leader in this growing segment.
2003
The PTC factory opens in Barcelona, Spain, to produce smoker accessories and special items.
2004
Relocation of Altesse tube production to a brand new factory in Fürstenfeld, Austria.
2005
Acquisition of OCB GmbH, distributor of RYO and MYO products in Austria.
2006
The TOP Tubes factory is opened near Montreal, Canada, for the North American market. Republic Technologies Canada is in charge of the distribution in Canada.
2007
Acquisition of OCB Vertriebs, distributor of RYO and MYO products in Heinsberg Germany (close to Dusseldorf).
2008
Swedish Match UK is acquired, becomes Republic Technologies UK, distributing SWAN products in the UK.
2010
Zig-Zag UK, a distributor of Zig-Zag products, is acquired and becomes part of Republic Technologies UK
2011
Republic Technologies International opens its new European distribution center in Perpignan, France.
2014
Republic Technologies France enters the e-cigarette market by producing e-liquids under the e-CG brand.
2019
Republic Technologies France invests in expanding its logistics center and purchasing new machines.
2020
Innovative So-Good (e-liquids) joins the group
2021
PTC becomes Republic Technologies Iberia. The filter and tube production is relocated in a brand new factory in Abrera near Barcelona, Spain.
