Universal Corporation (Universal) is a global leaf tobacco supplier. Universal is a holding company that operates through a number of directly and indirectly owned subsidiaries. Universal�s primary subsidiary is Universal Leaf Tobacco Company, Incorporated. The Company operates in over 30 countries on five continents. The largest portion of its business involves the procuring and processing of flue-cured and burley leaf tobacco for manufacturers of consumer tobacco products. The Company�s reportable segments for its flue-cured and burley tobacco operations are North America and Other Regions. It also has a third reportable segment, Other Tobacco Operations, which comprises its dark tobacco business, its oriental tobacco joint venture, and certain tobacco-related services. The Company�s business is procuring, financing, processing, packing, storing, and shipping leaf tobacco for sale to, or for the account of, manufacturers of consumer tobacco products worldwide.