In 1867, engine maker Wood, Baldwin & Co. was founded in Rastrick, Yorkshire, by Joseph Wood, John Baldwin, Samuel Mitchell, and Richard Woodhouse. In 1873 the business relocated to the Clifton Bridge Iron Works in Brighouse, less than one mile away. In 1881, partner Joseph Wood died and the remaining partners reorganized as Wood, Baldwin, Mitchell and Woodhouse. A couple of years later Baldwin sold out to Woodhouse and Mitchell, and the name changed to Woodhouse & Mitchell. In 1902 the business was reorganized as Woodhouse & Mitchell Ltd.
During the early 20th century the managing director was Richard Woodhouse. He retired in 1926 and was replaced by Joseph Mitchell, who died in 1934. The company was then acquired by John Illingworth (who another local business, jewellery maker Widdop, Shackleton & Co.) and the business reorganized as Woodhouse & Mitchell (1934) Ltd. This ownership change seems to have been when the company diversified beyond engines and gearing to make machine tools, especially engine lathes.
In 1962 Woodhouse & Mitchell merged with another Yorkshire machine tool maker, Frederick Town & Sons, Ltd., to create Town Woodhouse Ltd. By 1963 they were part of the Ward Group, which was descended from machine tool maker T. W. Ward Ltd.
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