HISTORY
Meyer Group of Companies is a success story starting with the development of a shipping and coal bunkering agency and developing into a widely diversified business group that oversees shipping, freight, shore excursions, forensic accounting and property development. From humble beginnings, it started with a vision from Captain Wm. E. Meyer, who in 1876, created Wm. E. Meyer & Co. Limited, a shipping and coal-bunkering agency based in the historic Town of St. George, Bermuda. The company also owned and operated work boats, water barges, coal barges and tug boats, which allowed them to offer a comprehensive list of services to the all- important shipping industry serving Bermuda. Almost a century later in 1951, the company commenced operation of a machine shop specialising in ship repairs and related services. This business segment was expanded and later leased out to a private operator. When it comes to the history of Meyer Travel Agency, it all started in 1907 after chartering the Prince George. A 19-knot vessel, the Prince George was dubbed the “finest ship in Bermuda waters” at the time, sky rocketing this newly formed company to notoriety. The vessel ran between Bermuda and New York, carrying the mail and 100 passengers who paid $40 for a round trip ticket. In 1946, the Meyer Group's agency operations expanded to Hamilton with the opening of its Reid Street office, offering port agent services to incoming vessels and travel agent services to the Bermuda public. Meyer became one of the first members appointed to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Pan American World Airways and British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC). In 1972, the parent company amalgamated Meyer’s ship, freight and travel agency operations to form Meyer Agencies Ltd. In the late 1970’s, Meyer transformed its industrial mechanical yard at Somers Wharf, on Water Street in St. George’s, into a world class shopping and dining waterside destination. In 1980 in conjunction with Michael Freisenbruch, Meyer Agencies Ltd. joined forces to form the Freisenbruch-Meyer Group, at that time Bermuda’s largest local insurance intermediary. In 1986, Meyer Agencies Ltd moved into the newly purchased Waverley property at 35 Church Street. The location offered convenience and a central point to service customers. As the agency operations became more specialized over the next decades, operations were separated as Meyer Freight Ltd., Meyer Tours Ltd. and Meyer Travel Ltd, with port agency operations remaining within Meyer Agencies Ltd., Today Meyer Agencies Ltd. operates from St. George’s, Hamilton and Dockyard with its offices servicing Bermuda’s regular and occasional callers. Meyer Freight Ltd.