 Its operations in Vienna began in the mid-1840s; the head office from 1883 to 1902 was at the Palais Epstein.The noted philanthropist Goodwin Newton of Barrells Hall, and Glencripesdale Estate was Director and Chairman for a long period in the late nineteenth century.In the early twentieth century Sir Henry Birchenough the future president of the British South Africa Company also served as a director of the company.