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Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited is an Australian public company.
It is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange under the code SOL.
The company's principal activities can be considered diverse. Their investments are in the following industries:
- ownership of shares and properties,
- coal mining,
- bulk handling,
- commercial television licensee and operator,
- program and television production,
- telecommunications carrier,
- retailing of pharmaceutical products,
- manufacture, processing and marketing of seasonings, essences, food colours, perfumes and aromatic chemicals,
- fruit juices,
- reconstitution of polyethylene film.
WHSP's main operating subsidiaries currently are:
- New Hope Corporation Limited Group
- SP Telecommunications Limited
- Keith Harris & Co. Ltd
- Orchy Fruit Juices
WHSP also has associated investments in:
- Australian Pharmaceutical Industries Limited (23%)
- Brickworks Limited (49%)
- Clover Corporation Limited (29%)
WHSP also operates nine pharmacies in Sydney, including two in the CBD and seven in the main Sydney metropolitan area.
History
In 1872, Caleb Soul and his son Washington opened their first store at 177 Pitt Street, Sydney, trading as Washington H. Soul and Co. They later moved to 158-160 Pitt Street, the present head office of the company.
Lewy Pattinson emigrated to Australia in 1881 after hearing of Soul's success and became good friends with him. They were never in competition in business, and in the early 1900's, the Souls asked Pattinson to buy their business.
As a result, Pattinson and Co, and Washington H. Soul and Co. merged to become Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited, the company named out of respect for Pattinson's friend.
The first public offering of shares was in December, 1902, and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited was listed on the Sydney Stock Exchange (now the Australian Stock Exchange) on 21 January 1903.
WHSP celebrated one hundred Years as a listed public company in 2002.
More than forty employees have worked for the company for over fifty years.
Four generations of the Pattinson family have served the company as have three generations of the Dixson, Spence, Rowe and Letters families.
Board of directors
- Robert D. Millner - Chairman
- Michael J. Millner - Non-Executive Director and Deputy Chairman.
- Peter R. Robinson - Executive Director.
- Graeme L. Robertson - Non-Executive Director.
- David J. Fairfull - Non-Executive Director.
External links
"Washington H. Soul Pattinson"