In 1881, George R. Alston established Geo. R. Alston & Co, a company that specialized in buying and exporting of
cocoa. In 1890, Alston left Trinidad and Tobago and initiated a partnership deal with McGregor Frame (Frame Alston & Co). Frame Alston & Co then succeeded by Alston Arbuthnot & Co were the
London agents of the Trinidad company until the death of Alston in 1918. In 1904, a saw mill and a lumber and hardware store was launched. During that period, Alston & co. advertised its locations in the
Port of Spain and was an agent for seven companies. In 1914, the company Alston & co expanded its export and import business to also include
ship chandlery, cargo handling and being an agent for
steamships lines. During that year, steamships were still using coal to power the ships, Geo. R. Alston & Co acquired the Trinidad Coaling Company and supplied coal to companies that owned steamships. Alston & co between 1914 and 1920 handled exporting of cocoa and sugar from the
Port of Spain. In 1921, Geo. R. Alston & Co was incorporated as a
Limited liability company (LLC) becoming Alston and Company Limited. Between 1926 and 1928 Roy Alston, Wilfred Alston and Gerald Wight were appointed Directors. Alston & Company by agreement in 1935 with C. Tennant Sons took over trading operations in San Fernando. On January 1, 1948, Alston & co-founded a sales agency department to give adequate facilities for the distribution of different manufactured goods produced by Alston & co-manufacturing subsidiaries. In that time Sir Erol dos Santos had just retired from colonial service of Trinidad and Tobago, and was invited to join the board of Alston & Co Limited. Erol Santos was at his time of service a financial secretary. In 1957, Alston & Co decided to withdraw from the wholesale provision business and to shut down then handover the electrical department to
General Electric company. In 1959, ANSA Barbados was established. Early 1963 Trinidad and Tobago Insurance Limited (TATIL) was established at the
Port of Spain, handling fire, marine, motor and accident insurance. Five years later several companies were merged to become Alston Marketing Co. Limited (AMCO). The McEnearney Business Machines Limited was formed from the business machine department of Charles McEnearney & Co. Limited in which in 1969 a four takeover bid ended in the merger of Alston and McEnearney. In 1971, the shipping and travel departments of which were the last remaining trading subsidiaries of Alston Limited were changed into a wholly owned Limited liability company, Alston Shipping and Travels Limited.
Tatil Building In 1972, construction began on the landmark
Tatil Building in Port of Spain, which was completed in 1974. Tatil Building rises 12 floors above ground and is high. The building houses the Trinidad and Tobago Insurance Limited company. The total construction budget was TT$8.2 million. The building is owned by ANSA McAL. ==Later history==