Washington H. Soul Pattinson
| Public (ASX: SOL) | |
| Industry | Diversified |
| Founded | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (January 21, 1903) |
| Founder | Lewy Pattinson |
| Headquarters | Sydney, Australia |
Key people | Robert Millner, Executive Chairman |
| Website | Whsp.com.au |
Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited is an Australian investment company founded by businessman Lewy Pattinson.
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.
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 1900s, the Souls asked Pattinson to buy their business. As a result, Pattinson and Co. bought out Washington H. Soul and Co. and the entity became 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 and its headquarters remain at 160 Pitt Street Mall, Sydney.
Principal activities
The company's principal activities are diverse, spanning the following concerns:
- 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 investments in subsidiaries and associated investments include:
- New Hope Coal
- Brickworks Limited
- Australian Pharmaceutical Industries
- TPG Telecom (27.7%)[1]
- Clover Corporation Limited
- Pitt Capital Partners
- Souls Funds Management
- Choiseul Investments
- Milton Corporation
WHSP also operates nine pharmacies in Sydney, including two in the CBD and seven in the main Sydney metropolitan area.
Chairman of Washington H. Soul Pattinson
- 1903-1905 Lewy Pattinson
- 1906-1929 Sir Thomas Hughes
- 1930-1950 William Frederick Pattinson
- 1950-1999 Jim Millner
- 1984-present Robert Millner