A small dispensary company which later takes the A S Watson name opens
in Guangzhou.
1841
The dispensary moves its operations to Hong Kong and is renamed as HK
Dispensary.
1863
Hongkong and Whampoa Dock Company (HWD) is established to acquire docks
and repair yards at Whampoa, on the Pearl River in China, and at the then
newly constructed dry docks at Aberdeen on Hong Kong Island.
The HK Dispensary becomes A S Watson.
1877
A young Briton, John Duflon Hutchison joins Hong Kong's small community
of expatriate merchants in the employment of Robert Walker and Company.
Before long he is able to take over the company, thus forming John D Hutchison
and Company Ltd and the early roots of the Hutchison names are formed.
1883
A.S. Watson expands overseas to the Philippines and
China; establishes a pharmacy and a soft drink factory (1884) in Manila.
1903
Watson's Water is established to provide the purest and the healthiest
water to consumers in Hong Kong and the Mainland China.
Hutchison
Whampoa Limited.