Inchcape Group

Notes:

Traces origins to a group of interconnected partnerships acting variously from the mid 19th century as agency houses, shipping agents and trading concerns eventually having major interests in India, Far East, Persian Gulf and East Africa. Especially important among these early on was Mackinnon, Mackenzie & Co of India. They were especially connected with shipping businesses, in particular P&O, and plantation management. The Mackay family, in particular the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Lords Inchcape, were especially concerned with these partnerships. In 1958 these interests were brought together in a holding company, Inchcape & Co Ltd, which was then floated with the Mackay family initially retaining control. Subsequently consolidated activities and made important acquisitions such as Borneo Co, Anglo Thai Corp and Dodwell & Co of Hong Kong. Car distribution and retailing gradually emerged as a leading specialisation, in particular as a result of acquisition of Mann Egerton & Co Ltd in 1973 and of important Toyota dealerships in the 1980s. From 1990s significantly restructured business to become an international car distribution business which by 2009 operated in over 25 markets