FENWICK

1862
Noël Fenwick founded an export agency at 8 rue St-Georges, Paris. He sold fancy goods and fashion articles such as statuettes, ornaments, antique furniture, fashion accessories, trinkets and musical instruments to visiting tourists (mainly English-speaking). The main export business was with the United States.
1878
While travelling in the United States, Francis Fenwick, Noël Fenwick's son, met Mr Brown of BROWN & SHARPE. They got on well together which led to Fenwick importing into France the first mechanical hair clippers made by BROWN & SHARPE. 40,000 clippers were sold in the first year. This was the start of the Fenwick IMPORT business.
Other products followed, such as Snell bicycles (mass produced) with wooden wheel rims and the first Calligraph and Densmore typewriters. To improve typewriter sales, Fenwick set up the first typewriting school in Rue de Paradis.
1885
Noël Fenwick's sons, Francis and Charles, converted the agency into a limited partnership: Fenwick Frères & Co.
Brown & Sharpe sent one of the earliest milling machines to a customer in Antwerp. The customer defaulted and FENWICK was asked to find a new customer. The milling machine was then sold to Clément Bayard.
1889
FENWICK Frères & Co took part in the Universal Exhibition.
1890
After Brown & Sharpe, FENWICK became an agent for Gleason. Other well-known brands such as
Pratt & Whitney, Norton and Ingersoll, followed.
1892
1892 was the start of the MACHINE TOOL business under the direction of François Mandon.
1904
The first Yale chain hoist was imported.
1910
The partnership was converted into a Limited Liability Company and François Mandon, Arts & Métiers engineer who was taken on in 1892 to develop the MACHINE TOOL business became a shareholder.
1917
A 1,100 m2 workshop was set up in rue Godillot, Saint-Ouen.
1918
The first electric Yale forklift truck was imported.
1927
After the French Franc was devalued against the dollar, FENWICK obtained a licence to manufacture Yale forklift trucks. This was the start of the MANUFACTURING business.
1932
The EXPORT business was discontinued.
André Citroën commissioned FENWICK to manufacture his specialist repair tools.
1947
Sunnen, an American company, appointed FENWICK as its agent.
1948
FENWICK became agent for Johnson outboard motors and took part in the first marine trade fair. This was the start of the MARINE business.
1950
Robert Fenwick went to visit Bell, a dump truck manufacturer, and returned with the exclusive agency for their helicopters. This was the start of FENWICK's involvement in AVIATION. The company subsequently also acted for CESSNA, famous for its pleasure and business planes. A flying school was set up.
1951
INNOCENTI, an Italian manufacturer, licensed FENWICK to manufacture Labretta scooters in France.
1954
The office premises at 69 rue du Docteur Bauer, St-Ouen (Seine Saint Denis) were completed.
1957
DE-STA-CO, the leading American toggle clamp manufacturer, appointed FENWICK as its agent.
1960
FENWICK was restructured as three companies: the parent company, FENWICK, and the subsidiaries, FENWICK MANUTENTION and FENWICK AVIATION.
1967
Yanmar, a Japanese diesel engine manufacturer, and Hydrovane, a British sliding vane compressors manufacturer, appointed FENWICK as their agent.
1970
FENWICK MANUTENTION terminated its licence agreement with Yale.
Okuma appointed FENWICK as agent. This was the start of the Japanese era.
1981
Fuji appointed FENWICK as agent for its electronic component insertion machines.
1982
FENWICK AVIATION was sold to the Freyssinet investment company (Transair).
1984
FENWICK transferred its handling truck business to the German company, LINDE : LINDE created the French company, FENWICK - LINDE, which continues to sell forklift trucks in France under the FENWICK name.
Robert FENWICK's son, Francis, was appointed Managing Director.
1987
FENWICK IBERICA was created in Barcelona to extend the agency for the Fuji range to Spain and Portugal.
1989
Dynaction acquired a majority shareholding from a large number of family shareholders.
1990
Acquisition of PRECITOOL Antwerp.
1992
Acquisition of PERFECBORE, Switzerland.
The MARINE division extended its range by becoming agents for Japanese Tohatsu outboard motors.
1997
As part of its debt reduction strategy, Dynaction sold its majority shareholding to the management.
FENWICK became a family business once again.
1998
The Abrasion division became exclusive importer of Kemet - Lapmaster products (lapping machines and equipment).
1999
PRECITOOL FENWICK became exclusive distributor of Fuji products in the Netherlands.
The Compressor division extended its range by taking on the exclusive agency for German Boge compressors. The FENWICK-Okuma Technical Centre was opened in Marnaz (Haute Savoie).
2000
François Mandon's great grandson, Jean-François VÈNE, became Managing Director.
2001
PRECITOOL FENWICK became the exclusive distributor of Sunnen products for Benelux. This made FENWICK the exclusive distributor for Sunnen products in Benelux, France and Switzerland.
2002
Acquisition of ALGAR, Milan. This gave the FENWICK group the exclusive distribution rights for Fuji products in Benelux, France, Spain and Italy.
2003
The subsidiary, Algar, was appointed distributor of Tohatsu engines in Italy and was also responsible for Tohatsu engine sales in Croatia. FENWICK became Tohatsu engine distributor for Malta.