About Swire

Our involvement in a number of our key businesses extends back over many decades - years that represent the accumulation of real depth of experience and expertise. It is one of our principal strengths to be forward-looking and take a long term view when growing our business. But while we are proud of our long history and the reputation for integrity and quality management that we have built during that time, equally important is the fact that in a diverse range of industries, Swire companies have set, and continue to set, standards for operational innovation, customer service, progressive management, and environmental best practice. We remain aware at all times that we must continually strive to 'do better'. Without original thinking, without innovation and evolution, we could not have survived and grown over the past 190 years in the way that we have.

The Swire motto is Esse Quam Videri - a Latin aphorism that may be translated as 'to be, and not to seem to be' - in other words, we are what we say we are; we do what we say we do. Today Swire is a large and highly diversified group and, while not all of our staff may be familiar with our motto, the common thread that runs through all our different businesses is dedication to the ethos it enshrines: achieving operational excellence in everything we do. Our success depends upon it.

James Hughes-Hallett