David Brown (entrepreneur) facts for kids

Sir David Brown (born May 10, 1904 – died September 3, 1993) was a famous English businessman. He led his family's company, David Brown Limited, which made gears and machine tools. He also owned David Brown Tractors, a company that built farm tractors. Later, he became known for owning the luxury car makers Aston Martin and Lagonda, and the shipbuilding company Vosper Thorneycroft.

Early Life and Family Business

1914 DBS (David Brown & Sons) Valveless car at Tolson Museum

David Brown was born in 1904 in Huddersfield, Yorkshire. His family's company, David Brown & Sons, was started by his grandfather. They specialized in making parts for machines that transfer power, like gears.

When he was 17, David started working at the family business as an apprentice. He learned how everything worked, from making parts to managing projects. Even though his father wasn't interested in cars, David loved them. He even designed and built his own car, called the "Daybro," using parts from the family factory.

David was also a keen motorcycle racer. He modified his own powerful motorcycle and competed in hill climb races. He was even invited to race in the famous Isle of Man TT, but his father wouldn't let him.

In 1928, David traveled to the United States, Africa, and Europe to learn about different business methods. When he returned, he started a new factory in Penistone that made special steel parts. This factory was very successful and made parts for airplanes, power stations, and oil fields.

In 1933, David Brown became the managing director of David Brown & Sons. Under his leadership, the company grew much bigger.

Building Tractors

In 1936, David Brown started a new company called Ferguson-Brown with Harry Ferguson. They worked together to build tractors. However, they disagreed on how the tractors should be designed.

So, David Brown decided to design his own tractor. In 1939, he launched the David Brown VAK1 tractor. It was very popular, and more than 7,700 were sold. During the Second World War, David Brown Ltd made many gears and gearboxes for military equipment. The money from these products and the tractors made David Brown a very wealthy man.

Owning Aston Martin

After the war, in 1946, David Brown saw an advertisement in a newspaper for a "High Class Motor Business" for sale. He found out it was Aston Martin. He visited the company and test drove their new prototype car, the "Atom."

Even though the car's engine wasn't very powerful, David saw its potential. In 1947, he bought Aston Martin for £20,500. After buying the company, he worked to turn the "Atom" into a car that could be sold to the public. He preferred convertibles, so the car was redesigned with an open top. It became known as the Aston Martin 2-Litre Sports, or the DB1.

Adding Lagonda to the Family

In 1947, David Brown learned that another car company, Lagonda, was in financial trouble. He visited the company and met the famous engine designer W. O. Bentley. Bentley showed him a new, modern 6-cylinder engine he had been working on.

David Brown realized this engine would be perfect for his new Aston Martin cars. Even though other companies were interested, David made an offer, and to his surprise, he bought Lagonda for £52,500. This included the rights to the new engine.

The new engine was soon used in the Aston Martin DB2. In 1955, David Brown also bought a company called Tickford, which built car bodies. He then moved all Aston Martin and Lagonda manufacturing to the Tickford factory.

The famous 'DB' series of Aston Martin cars, like the DB5 and DB6, were named after David Brown using his initials.

In 1972, David Brown faced financial difficulties. He was forced to sell his tractor division and Aston Martin Lagonda. Years later, in 1993, the 'DB' name was brought back for Aston Martin cars. David Brown was even invited to become the Honorary Life President of Aston Martin Lagonda.

Shipbuilding and Later Life

In 1963, David Brown's company bought a large part of Vosper & Company, a shipbuilding business. This company later merged with another to become Vosper Thornycroft in 1966. This company built warships.

In 1977, the British government took over the warship building part of the company. David Brown was unhappy about this and moved to live in Monte Carlo. In 1990, he sold his remaining shares in the David Brown Corporation for £46 million.

David Brown enjoyed playing polo and hunting. He also bred horses, and one of his horses, Linwell, won a major race in 1957. He was a qualified pilot and even had his own airfield.

Sir David Brown was knighted in 1968 for his important contributions to industry. He passed away in September 1993 in Monte Carlo.