Republic Tobacco for sale, may get over $2 billion: sources

(Reuters) - Republic Tobacco, a privately held company that makes the Drum brand of loose tobacco in the United States, is seeking a buyer and could fetch more than $2 billion in a potential sale, according to people familiar with the matter.
The Illinois-based maker of tobacco and rolling papers has attracted interest mostly from private equity firms, said the three people, who declined to be identified because the process is not public.
Republic, which could be worth as much as $2.3 billion according to one of the people, is being advised by Credit Suisse Group (CSGN.VX) on the process, they said. Other brands Republic owns include Top tobacco and Job rolling papers. Continued