Masonite International, 1 Premdor Dr, Dickson, TN 37055, US

More than 100 years ago, Hail & Cotton began as a partnership between E.A. Hail of Adairville, Ky., and M.R. Cotton of Madisonville, Ky. With two processing plants in Springfield, Tenn., and sales offices in Wilson, N.C., the company participates in purchasing, processing and selling all United States leaf types. The processing facilities are modern and capable of meeting diverse processing needs. The principal leaf types processed in the facilities include flue cured, burley, dark fired and dark air cured varieties. Hail & Cotton processes leaf tobaccos to meet customer requirements by threshing strips for cigarettes, cigars and chewing products, as well as packing butted and straight-laid leaves and in bundle form. The annual leaf purchases are made at auctions sanctioned by the United States Department of Agriculture during the marketing seasons by the company s leaf buying personnel and through direct contracts with tobacco growers. In addition to U.S. purchases, Hail is active in Europe, Asia, Africa and South America.