Background
Andrew was born in Stonehaven-Fetteresso, Scotland, the third and youngest son of Robert Yule, a clothier, by his wife Elizabeth.
Andrew was born in Stonehaven-Fetteresso, Scotland, the third and youngest son of Robert Yule, a clothier, by his wife Elizabeth.
He had two older brothers, David, a cashier at Register House in Edinburgh, and George, also an entrepreneur and trader. Andrew and George moved from Scotland to Manchester around 1855. Three years later, in 1858, they formed a partnership as warehousemen.
The same year, encouraged by profits to be made in colonial trade, Andrew moved to India.
One of the first businesses he established there was the Hoolungpooree Tea company. In 1866, he formed Andrew Yule and Company and established operations in Calcutta.
He also acted as trade representative for several companies. By 1875, he had established interests in jute, cotton and coal as well as in tea.
Andrew visited England frequently and finally retired there in 1888, settling in Dulwich (now a part of London).
He died in 1902. David eventually inherited all of the family"s enterprises.