Imperial Tobacco was created in 1901 through the amalgamation of thirteen British tobacco and cigarette companies. Today, Imperial Tobacco Group plc is the world's fourth largest international tobacco company and the only tobacco manufacturer in the UK, where it is also market leader. It is the second largest UK-based tobacco company by global sales.

In September 2004, their factory engineer, Mike Gillard, was looking to install an integrated Access Control, Fire Roll Call and Time & Attendance system to separate the cigar factory from the marketing departments and other non cigar factory employees. "Imperial Tobacco had already installed a similar Smart Card system at our Nottingham factory, and Tensor were recommended by them" explained Mike to the Tensor reporter. However, Mike Gillard also asked local companies in the Bristol area to quote for the supply of their new security system. We finally decided on Tensor because of "... the flexibility of their software", said Mike.

Tensor installed a Smart Card based Integrated Security Management System in May 2005. It comprised three equipped with Smart Card scanners and a computerised command system called WinTA Access Enterprise. No problems were encountered with the installation of the hardware or software.

Human Resource and IT staff from Imperial Tobacco were trained in the use of the WinTA Access Enterprise software at Tensor's Training Centre in Hail Weston.

Mike felt that Imperial Tobacco use the system to it's full potential. Asked what he liked most about his Tensor security system, Mike replied, "It's ease of use", and he described as "good" the ease of use of the Tensor Smart Cards by the workforce. Mike also said that they have had to use the Fire Roll Call system on occasions.

Since the original installation, further Access Control points have been added to the system in June 2007. These were to control access to the outdoor smoking shelters

Customer Information

Imperial Tobacco is the world's fourth largest international tobacco company and the only tobacco manufacturer in the UK where it is also market leader. It is the second largest UK-based tobacco company by global sales. It is Germany's second largest tobacco company following its purchase of Reemtsma Cigarettenfabriken GmbH in 2003 which added brands such as Davidoff, Peter Stuyvesant and West to its portfolio. In 2007 Imperial Tobacco entered the United States tobacco market with its acquisition of Commonwealth Brands Inc, the fourth largest tobacco company in the US. Imperial Tobacco's corporate headquarters are in Bristol, England. It has more than 30 factories operating around the world, and employs some 14,500 people.

Imperial Tobacco Group PLC
Imperial Tobacco Limited
P O Box 735
Winterstoke Road
Bristol
Avonmouth
BS99 1UP
Tel: 0117 953 0000
Fax: 0117 963 6403

Website: www.imperial-tobacco.com