Business History Explorer Supported by the Business Archives Council

Boulton & Watt

Other Business Names:

  • Soho Foundry
  • Boulton, Matthew
  • Watt, James, senior
  • Murdock, William
  • Watt, James, & Co
  • Boulton, M & R, & J & G Watt & Co

Locations city-town / local authority / county1974 / region-state / country:

  • Birmingham, Birmingham, West Midlands, West Midlands, England
  • Cornwall, Cornwall, South West, England
  • London, Greater London, Greater London, Greater London, England
  • Smethwick, Sandwell, West Midlands, West Midlands, England

Sectors:

  • Mechanical engineering Engine & turbine production exc transport
  • Transport equipment production Marine engines & other marine equipment production

Notes:

Established in 1775 by Matthew Boulton, 1728-1809, and James Watt, 1736-1819, at Boulton's Soho Manufactory, Handsworth, Birmingham. Formed to exploit Watt's patent for an advanced steam engine design that was superior to the existing and widely used Newcomen engine. Emerged as leading steam engine manufacturers with an international reputation. Relocated in 1796 to the newly built Soho Foundry, Smethwick, an advanced facility using innovative production and management techniques. c1802 established a London branch which came to be known as M & R Boulton & J & G Watt & Co. The business was subsequently inherited by their sons, James Watt junior, 1769-1848, and Matthew R Boulton, 1769-1848. James Murdock, 1754-1839, was a vital long term employee and partner from 1810 to 1833 when he retired. The business was known as James Watt & Co from c1848 and latterly it had developed interests in marine engines; in 1820s and 30s it established a London base for installation of engines in steamboats. Both Matthew Boulton and James Watt had a wide portfolio of other business, inventive and scientific interests outside Boulton & Watt

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