Drummond & Co. was established in 1894 the business quickly grew, focussing on the chemical manufacturing department, especially the manufacture of pills. They were said to be the largest manufacturers in that line in Australasia.

Aerated water manufacturing was secondary to medicine manufacturing for Drummond & Co. They used a pressure-type gauge as a trade mark on their aerated water bottles. Aerated waters, pure fruit cordials etc. were manufactured from the rear of their chemist store at 80 Adelaide Road. They also had a branch office in Riddiford Street.

The firm purchases the very best material in the market, and employs them in the manufacture of cordials, and it is no wonder that the latter are sought after and hold such high position throughout the district of Wellington. A special line in which this firm trades is the manufacture of the well known and popular temperance drink, "Phosphade", which is a powerful nerve and brain tonic.

(Wellington Cyclopaedia, 1897).

Drummond & Co. also operated a printing department, from which the 'Newtown Advocate' was published. This printing business was also used to print all the labels used in dispensing and chemical departments of their business.

The proprietors of Drummond & Co. were Arthur J. Bellows and Walter J. Petherwick. Bellows was born in Nelson on 9th March 1866. He came to Wellington with his parents and served his apprenticeship with Kempthorne, Prosser & Co. then acted as a salesman with this company. He then travelled for some eight years for Sharland & Co.