The Meyer Group of Companies is celebrating its 150th anniversary, having begun as a shipping and coal-bunkering agency in the Town of St George in 1876.

Founded as the William E Meyer & Company Ltd, the business has evolved from its maritime roots into a diversified organisation with interests spanning shipping, freight, trucking, waste management, tours and shore excursions, forensic accounting and property development.

William Meyer was a Russian-born, US Civil War veteran whose post-war travels brought him to Bermuda, where he launched the company to service ships, the core business of the company even today.

Henry Hayward, the popular longtime Mayor of St George and former Member of Parliament, literally began on the ground floor of the company some 75 years ago, eventually rising to become a major shareholder.

Today, his daughter Cheryl Hayward-Chew, chairwoman and chief executive, said the Meyer Group is celebrating the corporate history and growth while looking firmly towards the future.

She said: “Reaching 150 years is an extraordinary achievement and one of which we are immensely proud. This anniversary belongs to far more than the Meyer Group of today. It belongs to the thousands of employees, customers, business partners, shareholders, families and friends who have contributed to the company's success over the past century and a half.

“Our longevity has never been about standing still. It has come from adapting to change while remaining true to the values that have sustained the Meyer Group for generations: integrity, resilience, service and a long-term commitment to Bermuda.

“As we celebrate our history, our focus is firmly on ensuring the Meyer Group continues to thrive for generations to come.”

She said the Meyer Group’s story is a testament to the importance of adaptability and innovation in achieving longevity.

By the mid-1900s, the company provided a wide range of services to calling vessels, including line handling, towing, emergency engine repairs, welding, fabrication and water barge operations.

Its Wellington Slip property featured a machine shop, boatyard, tammy lift and the iconic 1,000-ton railway powered by an 1865 steam engine.

The company said in a statement: “As containerisation transformed global shipping, vessel technology advanced and Bermuda’s cruise tourism sector expanded, the Meyer Group adapted by maintaining its ship agency services, while developing specialised freight and shore excursion divisions and expanding into new sectors.

“This ability to adapt has been a hallmark of the company’s history, demonstrated in its response to significant events in Bermuda's maritime industry, including the emergency disembarkation of passengers from the MV Horizon during the 1994 Legionnaires’ disease outbreak.

“The longevity of the business is reflected in its people. At the company’s 2026 team appreciation party, approximately 25 employees represented a remarkable 503 years of collective service.”

Mr Hayward also marked his 75th year with the company, commenting: “When you look back over 150 years, the businesses and technology have changed enormously, but the importance of people and service has not.

“The Meyer Group’s success has always come from understanding what Bermuda and our customers need and being prepared to adapt to meet those needs.”

The 150th anniversary year has also marked the beginning of an important new chapter for the Meyer Group.

In June, the company announced its amalgamation with The BEST Group of Companies, building on a relationship developed through the companies’ QRS Ltd joint venture, operational collaboration during the Covid-19 pandemic, and representation on one another’s boards.

The amalgamation was designed to support long-term sustainability, succession planning, innovation and growth, combining the Meyer Group's experience and stability with The BEST Group’s operational capabilities and entrepreneurial approach.

“Celebrating our past is important, but the best way we can honour 150 years of the Meyer Group is by preparing the company for its future,” Ms Hayward-Chew said. “Our amalgamation with The BEST Group is part of that responsibility. It gives us an opportunity to move forward with the experience, capabilities and people of both organisations.”

She concluded: “As we advance into our second century, the Meyer Group will continue to adapt and evolve to meet the changing demands of our world. What will not change is our commitment to our customers, our people and Bermuda. We are enormously proud of where the Meyer Group has come from and equally excited about where we can go next.”

The Meyer Group is commemorating the milestone with an anniversary cocktail reception this evening, bringing together employees, industry partners, family members and friends who have contributed to the company's history and success.