Page 38 - Sphere No.13 (Dec 2004)

H I S T O R Y
SPHERE 36
9
A lot of water has flowed down the Pearl River since the
first company associated with Hutchison Whampoa
Limited (HWL) was founded in Canton (now
Guangzhou) in 1828. During those 176 years, the fortunes of
Hong Kong and the merchants who made the island their
home have risen and fallen, and risen again.
Today, HWL is participating in one of the most exciting
chapters in its history.
While remaining focused on its core businesses – keeping
international trade flowing, operating manufacturing plants,
running busy retail outlets and erecting landmark
buildings – HWL is also seizing the opportunities presented by
new technologies in areas such as telecommunications
and e-commerce.
In recent years, HWL has emerged as a leading player in the
mobile telecoms industry and is a pioneer in rolling out the
latest generation 3G networks.
HWL embraces the globe, operating on five continents in 42
countries, but Hong Kong is home, and the Group’s businesses
are intertwined with daily life in the territory.
When Hong Kong Island’s lights go on, the power comes
from Hong Kong Electric.
Hundreds of thousands of people communicate daily over
mobile phone networks run by 3 Hong Kong.
The A.S. Watson group, which operates water and beverage
manufacturing facilities and offers a vast range of goods in its
450+ retail outlets, directly traces its roots 176 years and
130km up the Pearl River to Guangzhou. People buy their rice
at PARKnSHOP and their TVs at Fortress stores.
On the international scene, HWL takes pride in being able
to operate globally yet integrate with local cultures.
Hutchison Ports Holdings, the world’s largest container
ports operator, keeps boxes moving across the continents, with
35 ports operations worldwide.
Husky Energy pumps oil from the frigid fields of northern
Canada and from beneath the North Atlantic Ocean floor.
Eleven million people in seven countries stay in touch
via mobile networks provided by Hutchison Telecom,
a company listed in both New York and Hong Kong.
When an American child receives a toy for Christmas, or
when a UK customer purchases a bluetooth headset for his
mobile phone, there’s every likelihood these items were made
by Hutchison Harbour Ring, a listed manufacturing
arm of HWL.
When residents of South Australia plug in to the electricity
supply, the power keeps flowing thanks to HWL’s investments
A tale of vision, enterprise & success that is older than Hong Kong itself.
THE
HUTCHISON
STORY