Thomas made his first connections in Mexico with the British firm Exter & Geaves, a company founded in 1824 with offices in London, Veracruz, Mexico City, and Buenos Aires. The firm underwent several name changes over the following decades until, in 1873, Charles O. Phillips, son of Thomas Phillips, became a partner, and the company was renamed Graham Phillips & Company. In 1876, it became Watson Phillips y Compañía when Robert Brown Watson joined as a partner. In 1893, Thomas R. Phillips, grandson of Charles, also became a partner. The name it holds to this day is Watson Phillips y Compañía Sucesores, S.A. de C.V.
Until 1890, Watson Phillips y Compañía primarily focused on importing textiles such as linen and cotton, as well as hardware and mercury from Manchester, while also exporting silver, cochineal, and other goods. It also represented important banks and insurance companies. Over the years, the company's imports grew during the first half of the 20th century, while exports saw the opposite trend.
Thomas made his first connections in Mexico with the British firm Exter & Geaves, a company founded in 1824 with offices in London, Veracruz, Mexico City, and Buenos Aires. The firm underwent several name changes over the following decades until, in 1873, Charles O. Phillips, son of Thomas Phillips, became a partner, and the company was renamed Graham Phillips & Company. In 1876, it became Watson Phillips y Compañía when Robert Brown Watson joined as a partner. In 1893, Thomas R. Phillips, grandson of Charles, also became a partner. The name it holds to this day is Watson Phillips y Compañía Sucesores, S.A. de C.V.
Until 1890, Watson Phillips y Compañía primarily focused on importing textiles such as linen and cotton, as well as hardware and mercury from Manchester, while also exporting silver, cochineal, and other goods. It also represented important banks and insurance companies. Over the years, the company's imports grew during the first half of the 20th century, while exports saw the opposite trend.
RECENT HISTORY
The company has adapted to the country's economic and market conditions, gradually leaving behind its bicycle wholesale business under the trade names Phillips, Hercules, and Raleigh. Similarly, it ceased importing BSA and Triumph motorcycles. In 1996, it ceased the medical supplies business, which included manufacturing plaster bandages for immobilizing broken bones under the Gypsona brand and a line of antiseptics and germicides.
At the turn of the millennium, Watson Phillips returned to its roots, focusing almost exclusively on importing specialty chemical products and raw materials, wood products, and providing sophisticated packaging materials for the pharmaceutical industry.
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