Soon after the end of the war in 1945 Mr. E.R. Williams, who was Mayor of Hamilton visited London and was entertained at dinner by the former Governor of Bermuda, Lord Burghley. Among the guest who had been invited was Sir William (later Lord) Rootes, Chairman of one of Britain’s leading motor manufacturers, the Rootes Group. During the course of dinner Lord Burghley told Sir William that Bermuda had recently passed legislation permitting the use of motor vehicles, and suggested the Mr. Williams would be a good choice as distributor for Rootes vehicles. Some weeks later, and much to his surprise, Mr. Williams received a cable advising him that he had been appointed.
He decided to form a partnership with an old friend, Mr. George Holmes, and his Accountant Mr. W.D. Purvey. Thus, in a rather casual way, Holmes Williams and Purvey came into being. The first shipment of cars from Rootes arrived in Bermuda on Mach 13th, 1946 and consisted of two Hillman Minx Saloons, both of which were sold to Mr. Claude Terceira for service as taxis. A further shipment of 12 cars arrived a few weeks later, but it was not until November 1946 that shipment began to arrive with some regularity. In those early months no staff or facilities were available, but customers were so eager to take delivery that in cases as soon as the cars were off loaded they would arrive with a can of gasoline, put in the tank, and drive the car to their home.
The Partnership realized that this was not a state of affairs which could continue, and approached Mr. J.R. Plowman, who was planning to relinquish his position as Director of Supplies in the Government with a proposal that he become fourth partner and manage the infant business.
Having accepted the proposal, Mr. Plowman traveled to London later that year and visited the Rootes office in Devonshire House, London and the factories in Coventry. This enabled personal relationships to be established, and set up a good line of communication with the senior staff and directors involved. The need for premises was very evident and arrangements were made for the lease of a Showroom on Pitts Bay Road and garage facilities at Laffan Street.
In June 1947 Sir William Rootes paid his first visit to Bermuda and emphasized that these limited facilities were inadequate. In consequence agreement was reached to buy a house owned by Mr. Williams on Serpentine Road. The house was gutted to enable quick service facilities to be installed on the ground floor, and a small office area and spare parts store on the upper level. It was agreed that a service technician would be sent from Rootes to plan the further development of the site, and Mr. E. Grimshaw arrived in August. In conjunction with a local architect he planned what at the time seemed a large building in the grounds at the rear of the house, and this provided a machine shop, body shop, parts department and showroom. The new building was opened for business Mr. Williams, in his capacity of Mayor, on January 1st, 1949, and it has remained the Head Office, together with service and parts, up to the present time. Mr. Maurice Titterton was appointed Service Manager, Mr. J. Irving Pearman joined the company in 1950, being employed in the body shop.

At this time the northern boundary of the property was the marsh drainage canal which was not covered, and on the other side was marshland which was also owned by Mr. Williams, but was divided by the railway track which ran right through the middle. Over the years it was possible to arrange, firstly for the canal to be covered, secondly to buy the marshland and reclaim it by exchange with the Corporation of Hamilton who had taken over the derelict railway property. This enabled the HWP property to be put to practical use and provided space for needed development, which the Corporation were enable to improve Woodlands Road which is now the northern boundary of Serpentine Road property.
In 1953 the Shell Co. of Bermuda purchased a site on East Broadway for the purpose of constructing a modern service station and the Company immediately started negotiating with a view to being appointed as Managers, and with the completion of the station early in 1953 were informed they had been successful, and have operated the station for over forty years.
The business was steadily growing, and it became clear that a partnership was not a satisfactory method of operation. In consequence as the result of the necessary legislation Holmes, Williams and Purvey Ltd. Was incorporated in May 1950 and Mr. Plowman was appointed Managing Director, Mr. Williams Chairman, Mr. Holmes Vice Chairman and Mr. Purvey a Director.
In 1954 it was learned that Mr. R.D. Aitken, who had been General Electric Co. distributor in Bermuda for many years was planning to retire, and he invited Mr. Plowman to go to Head Office of the Company in New York with a view to HWP Ltd. Being appointed to succeed him. Lengthy negotiations followed but in December the decision was made to appoint the Company. The premises occupied by Mr. Aitken were very limited in size, but it was found there was a considerable area of unused space at the rear of the shop. Arrangements were made to lease this, and the whole area was gutted and rehabilitated with the result it was possible to open a very attractive showroom in April 1955, the ceremony being carried out by a Senior Executive from G.E. Mr. Reginald Cabral was appointed Manager, with Mr. Walter Fox in charge of service, under their guidance the business was greatly expanded. At about this time Sir William Rootes purchased a house in Bermuda and expressed a wish for his family to purchase shares in the Company. The directors welcomed the proposal and accordingly shares were issued, and Sir William appointed a Director, thus giving the company a direct link with its source of supply vehicles.
The continued growth in both the motors and electrical divisions made it essential to increase the working facilities available, and the arrangements were made to purchase a property at St. John’s Road on which it was possible to build a large warehouse for storing motor vehicles and a smaller one for electrical products, whilst leaving a considerable area available for future expansion.
In a period of two weeks in 1959 the Company suffered two great losses. First, Mr. Williams died suddenly as a result of a heart attack whilst he was sailing his yacht, and exactly two weeks later, Mr. Holmes passed away on the Riddles Bay Golf Course. Both had taken a great interest in the Company, which was now faced with a greatly depleted Board. Mr. Plowman was appointed Chairman, and Mr. Purvey Vice Chairman. Now more than a half-century after it’s birth, the HWP Group is Bermuda's premiere retailer, featuring Automotive and Motorcycle Locations.