Percy Francis Hall and his brother Sidney Zaleski Hall formed Hamworthy Engineering. The business then had 6 employees. Hamworthy Engineering took its name from the Parish of Hamworthy in the Borough of Poole where the original works was located. The company made a variety of products including, air compressors, and oil engines, hoists and winches. However, any plans for the company were put on hold by the outbreak of the First World War when the company became involved in Government contracts for military and armament products.
1918
Hamworthy set up its own foundry to guarantee a supply of high quality castings.
1936
A fire at the main pattern shop that spread and destroyed the engine patterns effectively ended the production of the Hamworthy engine business.
1939
The company was again involved in the war effort, this time the Second World War, however, the company did not change its manufacture to that of armaments, instead it carried on its normal production of pumps and compressors, much of which was used either directly or indirectly in the war effort.
Company started manufacturing gear pumps and hydraulic valves for Ruston-Bucyrus, the bulldozer and excavator manufacturer, based in Lincoln, England, however, in 1953 Ruston-Bucyrus decide to take over the manufacture of the products themselves.
1954
Hamworthy Engineering took the opportunity to become a License of the Hydreco Division of the American company New York Air Brake. This gave Hamworthy an exclusive franchise together with access to technical information for hydraulic equipment. Hamworthy Hydraulics was formed from this association as a 50% owned subsidiary of Hamworthy Engineering.
1955
Hamworthy Engineering moved to new premises at Fleets Corner, where 2000 staff members were employed. In 1962 Powell Duffryn acquired the interests of Hamworthy Engineering and the 50% share of Hamworthy Hydraulics.
1968
Operations were extended to include wholly owned subsidiaries in Europe and Australia.
1993
David Brown Group purchased Hamworthy Hydraulics and Hamworthy Transmissions from Hamworthy Engineering and the production facility of the Transmissions part of the business was moved to the main David Brown facility in Huddersfield.
