The Harrods of the East (1890-1927)

In 1890, the company purchased the goodwill and shares of “Medical Hall” from Maitland & Co. Ltd. and became primarily chemists and druggists. A few years on, the company was rebranded as “Sime & Co” to cater more towards the mass market.
The organization would go on to be formally registered as a Limited Liability Company in 1896, with David Sime Cargill as Chairman. The business was thereafter extended to Nuwara Eliya.
In 1902, renovations to the renowned Cargills Headquarters were completed and the building was transformed into an upmarket department store which served mostly the affluent.
In 1904, David Sime Cargill passed away and his many estates were converted to private limited companies. With the patriarch of Cargills gone, Walter Hamilton assumed duties as Chairman until his own death in 1927, with a long line of capable General Managers to support him.