OUR STORY
Tres Estrellas is Spain’s leading brand for matches, dating back to 1887. Today, it is a hallmark of natural quality and safety on the Spanish market, not only for matches but also for other fire products such as briquettes, fire lighters and other fire lighting products.
1994
The well-established and appreciated Three Stars brand launched its Spanish branch, Tres Estrellas.
1992
Swedish Match acquired Fosforera Española and began working towards the goal of producing a sulphur-free, natural and sustainable match made from renewable raw materials.
1956
The industry returned to private ownership, and the auction was won by Grupo Fierro. Two new companies were formed: Fosforera Española and Fosforera Canariense.
1908
When the Gremio contract expired, the government created a new monopoly to be managed by the Ministry of Finance.
1892
To raise money, the Spanish government decided to nationalise the matchmaking industry by passing a law to create a state-controlled monopoly, Gremio.
1887
The Three Stars brand was founded, and successfully marketed throughout the British Empire. It became so well known for its box motifs of local customs and tastes that the brand got nicknamed "The Mona Lisa of Labels".
1884
Swedish professor Gustav Eric Pasch invented a striking surface on the outside of the matchbox.
1836
The first Swedish Match factory opened in Stockholm. In Spain, Don Pedro González was the first match producer, operating out of Barcelona.
1831
The first matches were invented, lit by rubbing the match head against any surface. The danger of spontaneous ignition was high and the match head contained highly toxic components.