1989-1999 Return to China

1989 A partnership with The Coca-Cola Company

Category: Beverages & Food Chain

The Coca-Cola Company invited Swire Beverages (now rebranded as Swire Coca-Cola) to be a partner in the return of Coca-Cola to Mainland China, after a near 40-year absence. Swire Beverages was granted several franchises and over the next decade, built production facilities and distribution systems in seven provinces, initially in partnership with CITIC, the Chinese Government's foreign investment arm.

1990 Reinvesting in the Chinese mainland

Category: Corporate, Aviation

The 1990s would see Swire begin to reinvest in the Chinese mainland in a variety of sectors, in addition to its stake in soft drink production, as an anchor bottler in The Coca-Cola Company’s China system. A share realignment in Cathay Pacific Airways increased the Chinese mainland shareholding in the airline, helping to secure the long-term future of Hong Kong’s aviation industry.

1993 A new business hub on Hong Kong Island

Category: Property

The first Grade A office tower at Taikoo Place was completed. Today, Taikoo Place, together with adjacent Cityplaza and Taikoo Shing, form an integrated residential, business and entertainment hub with 13 interconnected office towers and 61 residential blocks.

1994 Cathay Pacific acquires majority holding in Air Hong Kong

Category: Corporate, Aviation

Cathay Pacific Airways acquired a majority shareholding in all-cargo airline Air Hong Kong.

1994 Expanding logistics interests in Australia

Category: Corporate, Trading & Industrial

Swire purchased Australian road haulage operator Kalari, which it has subsequently expanded to offer specialist bulk storage and distribution services nationwide.

1996 Strategic share restructuring

Category: Corporate, Aviation

Cathay Pacific Airways underwent a landmark share restructuring to increase the stake in the airline held by the Chinese government's commercial arm, CITIC. This deal was seen as vital to ensuring Cathay Pacific came through the 1997 handover of Hong Kong to China with its traffic rights and Swire management intact.

1996 HAECO expands to Mainland China

Category: Aviation

Established by Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company, Taikoo (Xiamen) Aircraft Engineering Co. (today named “HAECO Xiamen”) opened for business with a single hangar and a workforce of less than 1,000. Today, HAECO Xiamen is one of Asia's largest aircraft maintenance facilities, operating from six hangars and employing over 4,600 staff.

1998

Category: Corporate

Edward Scott (1939-2002) becomes Chairman of the Swire group.

1999 Exclusive automotive dealerships

Category: Corporate, Trading & Industrial

Swire expanded its automotive trading interests with exclusive dealerships in Taiwan region for Volkswagen and Kia, some 20 years after acquiring the Volvo franchise in Taiwan region.