J & W McNaught Ltd was founded in 1858 by William McNaught and his two sons, John and William. McNaught was an engine from Rochdale, Lancashire. Prior to starting his own company, he had been an apprentice for Mr Mills of Heywood, Bury, and had gone on to work for John & Thomas Rennie of London and then Alexander Petrie & Son. He became the chief designer at Petrie's, where he designed a cut-off gear for stationary steam engines. In 1858 McNaught left to create his own steam engine and textile machinery business. Upon his retirement, the company passed to his sons and became known as J & W McNaught. The company amalgamated with John Petrie in 1920 to form Petrie & McNaught.