Petters Limited was a conglomerate with a complex web of affiliated companies.
Its subsidiaries included Petters Group Worldwide, Petters Retail, and Petters Media, among others.
Petters Limited was a holding company that controlled a diverse range of businesses, from consumer electronics to financial services.
These affiliated companies were instrumental in the conglomerate's growth and expansion, but also contributed to its eventual downfall.
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Related Companies
Petters Limited has had connections with several notable companies over the years. The company was renamed Vickers-Petters Ltd after acquiring the former Vickers factory in Ipswich in 1920, but this part of the business was later renamed Petters (Ipswich) in 1927.
The Ipswich factory was closed in 1929 and sold. Petters joined the Associated British Oil Engine Company in 1937.
In 1949, Petter was spun off and joined another engine manufacturer, J&H McLaren & Co., at the old Lagonda works in Egham Hythe near Staines, Middlesex.
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Petter & Handyman
The Petter & Handyman was a clever move by the J. B. Petter Company Limited to counter the threat of cheap American imports.
In 1903, American imports like the Fairbanks Morse Company's "Jack of all Trades" engine disrupted the British market, putting pressure on the young company.
The Petter Handyman was a low-cost engine that cost approximately 80% of the Petter Standard, making it an attractive option for customers.
It was only available in batches of 50 or more units for more economic production, but this strategy helped Petters preserve their market position for two decades.
This allowed them to produce both two-stroke and four-stroke engines from 1920, expanding their product line and staying competitive.
Vickers
Vickers-Petters was renamed after buying the former Vickers factory in Ipswich in 1920, but that part of the business was later renamed Petters (Ipswich) in 1927.
The Ipswich factory was closed by mid 1929, and the Ipswich works and land were sold.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When did Lister and Petter merge?
Lister Petter was formed in 1986 through the merger of Petters Limited and R A Lister and Company. This strategic partnership united two industry rivals under a single brand.
Are Lister Petter engines still made?
Yes, Lister Petter engines are still manufactured, with production sites in the UK and China. Engines are produced for both industrial applications and gen sets, with some models dating back to the 1980s.
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