History of David Brown

David Brown commenced business in 1860 as a general pattern maker, the core business at that time was the manufacture of patterns for cast gears. We have now been at the forefront of the engineering industry for nearly 150 years.

1898 - 1910
In 1898 David Brown began to manufacture machine cut gears and in 1902 they moved to the current site in Huddersfield at Park Works. David Brown died in 1903 and his sons Frank and Percy succeeded him and began to produce self-contained worm gear units complete with bearings and shafts. David Brown Park Gear Works the early years
1910 - 1930
1913 saw the company's first overseas venture when Timken-David Brown was established in the USA to manufacture worm gear units. 1914 to 1918 saw the number of employees at Park Works increase from 200 to 1000 as the company began to manufacture products for the War effort. These products included main propulsion units for warships, gun training and elevating mechanisms and trench mortar bombs. By 1921 the company was the largest worm gear manufacturer in the world. David Brown worm gear production
1930 - 1935
P.R. Jackson Ltd, steel founders and manufacturers of heavy gearing, were acquired in 1930. Following Percy Brown's death in 1931, Frank became Chairman and his 28 year old son David, Managing Director. The Radicon worm gear was introduced in 1933. The name Radicon refers to the dissipation of heat by Radiation, Conduction and Convection. David Brown's overseas involvement expanded further in 1934 when links were established with Richardson Gears (Pty) Ltd of Footscray, Victoria, Australia. David Brown patented the Merritt-Brown controlled differential steering on tank transmissions in 1935. David Brown Radicon
1935 - 1960
The first David Brown/Ferguson tractor was produced in 1936. During The Second World War saw another increase in production for the company; the aero division produced over 500,000 gears and the gearbox division over 10,000 tank transmissions. David Brown acquired Aston Martin in 1947 and Lagonda the following year. Precision Equipment (Pty) Ltd of Benoni, Transvaal was acquired in 1949.In 1959 Aston Martin won the world sports car championship which included Le Mans and the third successive win at the Nürburgring. David Brown and aston martin
1960 - 1980
A controlling interest was acquired in Sonnerdale Richardson David Brown (Pty) Ltd, Australia in 1966, consummating the 1934 link with Richardson. The one millionth Radicon Gearbox was delivered in 1968. In 1972 Aston Martin-Lagonda sold to Company Developments Ltd - now owned by the Ford Motor Company. The David Brown tractor interests were sold to Tenneco International (Inc.), becoming affiliates of J.I. Case, also in 1972. David Brown tractors
1980 - 1990
By 1983, some fifteen years after providing the gearbox for the conversion of HMS Exmouth, the first major warship to use gas turbine propulsion, a total of 120 gearboxes had been delivered or were on order for 64 warships in 9 Navies. The David Brown family interest in the Group was sold to the current management with the exception of plants in the Southern Hemisphere in 1990. David Brown marine experience
1990 - 2000
The company was successfully floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1993, ending 133 years of private ownership. Following Sir David's death in 1993, the companies in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Australia were re-acquired in 1995.In October 1998 Textron announced it had completed the acquisition of David Brown Group of the U.K. Textron
2000 - Present Day
Major Challenger 2 Tank transmission overhaul project commissioned. Significant Bradley fighting vehicle transmission overhaul project implemented. David Brown re-aligns its business with the aim of becoming a premier supplier of product and service solutions to serve end user customers in key segments of heavy industrial process industry, marine and land defence. David Brown now and the future

Powerful Brands

Screw Jack Products Benzlers Accudrive Products Cone Drive Benzlers and Cone Drive are sister companies of David Brown, also part of the Textron family. Working together enables us to offer a full range of gear products and provide global services and support.