Type Public (ASX: SOL) Website Whsp.com.au Founded 1872 | Industry Diversified Founder Lewy Pattinson Key person Robert Millner | |
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Key people Robert Millner, Executive Chairman Stock price SOL (ASX) A$ 18.65 -0.10 (-0.53%)7 Apr, 4:10 PM GMT+10 - Disclaimer Headquarters New South Wales, Australia Subsidiaries New Hope Coal, KH Foods Limited | ||
Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited is an Australian investment company founded by businessman Lewy Pattinson.
Contents
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:
WHSP's main investments in subsidiaries and associated investments include:
WHSP also operates nine pharmacies in Sydney, including two in the CBD and seven in the main Sydney metropolitan area.