Thursday 31st May 2007

Entrepreneur buys Willans Harness

Willans Harness secures new owner in its 40th year

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Stockbridge Racing Ltd., manufacturers and distributors of the Willans brand of motorsport harnesses, has been acquired by engineering entrepreneur Simon Perkins.

The current owner, John Fenning, set the company up in 1967 and is looking to retire and pass on the reins to someone with the same entrepreneurial flair to sustain and grow the Willans Harness business. The new owner, Simon Perkins, is no stranger to motorsport and engineering having already operated several successful engineering businesses and also an established historic racer himself.

Fenning will stay on at Willans for an extended period to ensure a smooth transition to the new owner – who enthused - “John has built up a fantastic business in Willans from its pioneering beginnings and I’m committed to developing the business further

“We’ve got some well thought out plans to help grow the Willans business, including the introduction of new products.  With the worldwide distribution network John has developed, we’ll be able to take full advantage of the wider product range, ensuring the company continues to build.  The company has the credentials, too, having provided harnesses to at least 15 F1 World Champions as well as champions in many other series around the world.”

[Garlick]

Look like a fun couple of guys.

All the best chaps.

[PetrolTed]

Strapping story

[Garlick]

You surely wouldn't want to be tied down with that company?

[jon-]

Belting news!

[Garlick]

The chaps in the pic seem to be restraining their excitement

[ScoobieWRX]

They're engineers....what do you expect

[RobPhoboS]

Loving the comments, keep em comming !

[rimmer]

and whats wrong with engineers................. lol

Edited by rimmer on Thursday 31st May 19:56

[bencollins]

If they develop a new product, it should be called "the chip", then you can have ....etc

[ScoobieWRX]

rimmer said:

and whats wrong with engineers................. lol

Edited by rimmer on Thursday 31st May 19:56

What's right with them

[andy.shent]

I wish you lot would belt up!

[P100]

Buckle up guys looks like we are some strapping puns!!

[Tapster]

Er, sorry peeps, but may I ask something on Willans harnesses?

I've been showing restraint, but I can't take it any more!

I'm a rock climber & it has always struck me how a Willans harness for vehicles is so similar in heavy duty nylon or PP "tape" material used, to the WHILLANS sit-harness, one of the first modern climbing harnesses.
I suppose that the names are different by one letter, but it does seem a coincidence that these unusual surnames are so nearly the same, and so are the products.

Any comments ??

[steve-V8s]

Top company. You can (could) turn up on the doorstep with a meeting tomorrow and a harness that was the wrong length and they would drop everything to help. Hope that level of service and the fact that when you phone them a person not a message answers will remain.

[ultima666]

Reading this article has made me very angry, Willans Harness was in fact started by my late father Terence "Dumbo" Willans and not John Fenning. The rights to use the Willans name on harnesses for use in racing/rally cars was sold to John in 1978, There isn't even a mention of my father in the whole article. The full history of Willans Harness can be found on www.willansltd.co.uk under the heading "about us"

[P100]

ultima666 said:

Reading this article has made me very angry, Willans Harness was in fact started by my late father Terence "Dumbo" Willans and not John Fenning. The rights to use the Willans name on harnesses for use in racing/rally cars was sold to John in 1978, There isn't even a mention of my father in the whole article. The full history of Willans Harness can be found on www.willansltd.co.uk under the heading "about us"

Thanks for the link, good reading too.

Long live the family business!! The only type of business to give their customers real service.

Hope the new owners read this!!

Cheers Roy

[ultima666]

Thanks for the kind words Roy and taking the time to read the history. Nice to know at least someone knows the full story.

Cheers

Pete