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Please note - A full and in-depth history of the Wolseley company can be found in David Edgington's book - Wolseley Stationary Engines which can be purchased online from www.stationaryenginebooks.co.uk Further details can also be found as a plotted history from www.wolseley.com Brief Company and Engine History The Wolseley Sheep Shearing Machine Company was founded in 1887 by Frederick York Wolseley of Sydney, Australia and was one of the first to produce mechnically powered sheep shearing machinery. It was not until the early 1900's that the company started producing cream separators to compete with this flourishing new market of dairy equipment. Following on from this success and to keep up with rapid demand, the Wolseley company invested in a new production facility at Witton, Birmingham, England. At the same time an engineering branch of the company was created to further develop the shearing equipment and eventually engine production. During the transition from the original works to the new complex it is thought that engine experimentation, design and production took place. With the growing popularity and repuation of engines from firms such as Lister and Petter, Wolseley quickly took the opportunity to move into this new market. By producing engines they could offer both the separator and also the engine required to drive it and at the same time enter into a market of opportunity by providing engines to carry out other duties - such as shearing sets etc. This was around 1909 and it would appear to tie in with the move from the original works to the site at Witton. The development of the stationary engines reflected the era. The first engines were vertical single cylinder units of a similar layout and style to the likes of the Lister J and L types which were already very successful. The range of engines produced can be found here listed in the generally accepted order of production. Many engines were exported to Australia and New Zealand for the sheep shearing industry, this is reflected in the fact that many of the early and rarer Wolseley engines reside in preservation here. Following almost 70 years of engine production and development the company ceased producing engines in 1975. The last air cooled engine rolled off the production line and was eventually to be acquired for preservation around 20 years later and can be seen here. The Wolseley company is still in existance today as a leading worldwide supplier of heating and plumbing products. Some historical Wolseley links:- http://www.wolseley.com/about_history1.html http://www.wolseley.asn.au/flyingw/whistory.html
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