Jardine Matheson Holdings (SEA) Ltd
Biography
Jardine Matheson Holdings (S.E.A.) Ltd originated from the firm Henry Waugh & Co. Ltd of Singapore. Henry Waugh & Co. Ltd was formed in 1929, following the acquisition of Katz Brothers Ltd, importing agents (established 1864), by one of its directors, Henry Waugh (d. 1934). Jardine, Matheson & Co. Ltd acquired a majority interest in Henry Waugh & Co. Ltd in 1954, and purchased the company in 1961. The firm was renamed Henry Waugh Ltd in 1959, then Jardine Waugh Ltd in 1961.
The company's main business at the time of the acquisition was engineering and general imports. It also acted as the Secretaries and Agents of tin mining and insurance companies, and staffed engineering workshops in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Sandakan and Singapore. The company had three subsidiaries:
Jardine Waugh (Singapore) Ltd was incorporated in Singapore, with a branch at Johore Bahru, and held the agencies of the Automatic Telephone & Electric Co. Ltd, Parke Davis International Corporation and Wyeth International Ltd.
Jardine Waugh (Malaya) Ltd was incorporated in the Federation of Malaya, with its Head Office at Kuala Lumpur and branches at Ipoh, Kota Bharu, Kuantan, Malacca, Penang and Seremban, and held the agencies of the Lombard Insurance Co. Ltd and North British & Mercantile Insurance Co. Ltd.
Jardine Waugh (B) Ltd was incorporated in the State of Brunei, with its Head Office in Brunei Town and branches at Kuching, Miri and Sibu (Sarawak), Jesselton, Lahad Datu, Sandakan and Tawau (North Borneo) and Brunei (Brueni State), and held the agency of the Lombard Insurance Co. Ltd.
Jardine Waugh Ltd was associated with Plantation Agencies Ltd, which it formed in 1955 in conjunction with two other agency houses; Jawa Manufacturing Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary handling the manufacture of a range of Yardley and Chesebrough Pond cosmetics for which Jardine Waugh Ltd were the agents; and Rundle & Co. Ltd, of which it was the Manufacturers' Representative.
The company's main office in Singapore became a branch of Jardine Waugh (Malaya) Ltd during 1965-1966, before reverting to the name of Jardine Waugh (Singapore) Ltd. In 1973 Jardine Waugh Ltd became Jardine Matheson Holdings (S.E.A.) Ltd.