Ferguson Production history

In 1889, Frederick moved the Company to Birmingham, England, where he formed Wolseley Sheep Shearing Machine Co.

Following the success in 1895 of Austin’s experimental automobile, he was given permission to design and build what would be Wolseley’s first car.

In December of 1909 Fergusons dream became a reality Ferguson flew his monoplane and was the first Irishman to ever build and fly his own plane.

In 1911 he founded a company which included tractor retail.

In 1926 Ferguson developed a Hydraulically driven version of the three-point linkage and patented it.

During the 1930’s the first Ferguson tractors were built by the David Brown Company.

Following the breakup of Ford Ferguson in 1947 Ferguson joined with Massey Harris Forming what is known today As Massey Ferguson.

In 1955, the company changed its name from Wolseley Sheep Searing Machine Co.

Harry Ferguson remained Chairman of Massey Harris Ferguson until 1957.

In 1958, the company completed the merger with Geo.

In 1960, The Wolseley-Hughes Group acquired Nu-Way Heating Limited.

Ferguson remained an inventor and engineer setting up Harry Ferguson Research, which produced the P99 Race car, winning the British Grand Prix in 1961 with driver Stirling Moss.

In 1965, the Group ceased manufacturing of all sheep shearing equipment, and OBC acquired Granville Controls and Yorkshire Heating Supplies.

In 1967, Wolseley acquired HC Webb & Co., and added lawnmowers and hedge trimmers to the product portfolio.

In 1973, OBC, Granville Controls and Yorkshire Heating Supplies formed the main constituents of Wolseley-Hughes Merchants (today known as Wolseley UK). The subsidiary originally distributed spare parts for burners but later the business also began to distribute domestic system radiators and boilers.

In 1976, the Group ceased engine manufacturing and started expanding within the UK heating and plumbing market.

In 1979, Wolseley acquired the John James Group of Companies Limited, which includes a significant distributor of industrial pipe, valves and fittings, now trading under the Mechanical side of the Wolseley brand.

In 1982, Wolseley acquired Ferguson Enterprises, a distributor of plumbing and heating supplies.

In 1985, Wolseley UK was established to distribute building products.

In 1986, the Group was renamed Wolseley plc.

In 1992, the company acquired France’s leading supplier of plumbing supplies, Brossette.

In 2000, Cinven acquired most of the Group’s manufacturing businesses.

In 2002, Wolseley acquired Clayton, the fourth largest wholesale distributor of waterworks, wastewater, and storm drainage material in the US. That year, also acquired The Wasco Group, expanding into Holland.

In 2007, Wolseley acquired DT Group, a distributor of building materials in the Nordic region, with operations in Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and Norway.

Ferguson Films was established in 2010.

Our last winner was Brad Jenkins from Green Bay , who won a Samsung KU6179 Ultra HD TV on 14.05.2019 with his 5-billionth Search.