Our History
1909 - The Williams Wheelwright Works founded by John Henry Williams starts out repairing horse-drawn vehicles for London and North Western Railways from premises in Cornbrook, Manchester.
1926 - Mr Williams and his sons decided to transfer to motor maintenance.
1940 - Starts to function as an army auxiliary workshop in conjunction with REME (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) who were stationed on the site.
1947 - The MOD offers the firm a central workshop in Fazakerley, Liverpool and all government work is subsequently transferred from Manchester to Liverpool in 1948.
1954 - Williams Motor Company (Walton) is established.
1960 - The company opened their car showroom in Deansgate, Manchester for the purpose of retailing new and used cars under the Rootes franchise.
1969 - Williams Power Products is opened in Manchester, which later ceases trading in 1987.
1970 - The current BMW franchise is acquired. By this time the Bodyshop side of the business had moved from Trafford Street to new premises in Hadfield Street, Manchester from which it continues to operate today.
1973 - Another branch to the company called PSV, which converts vans to mini-buses and coaches, is opened.
1976 - Williams Motor Company (Walton) transfers to the BMW and Citroen franchises in Scotland Road trading as Williams Motor Company (Liverpool), which later becomes Williams Liverpool.
1984 - A prestigious purpose built facility on Upper Brook Street, Manchester is built.
1994 - Purpose built premises on Great Howard Street in Liverpool are built.
2000 - Land Rover is added to the Williams Group.
2000/2001 - Two new dealerships open in Manchester to house BMW Motorcycles and MINI.
2001 - A new dealership for MINI opens in Liverpool. Williams acquires Ian Anthony BMW and Ian Anthony MINI in Bolton.
2003 - Williams acquires Howarth BMW and Howarth MINI in Rochdale.
2004 - Purpose built Aftersales facility at Pall Mall, Liverpool opens.
2006 - The Rochdale operation moves into a purpose built, £7m state of the art dealership.
2008 - BMW and MINI Dealer of the Year awards. BMW Manchester awarded National Used Car Dealer of the Year for the 3rd year running. MINI Manchester awarded Regional Dealer and National Used Car Dealer of the Year for 5th year running.
2009 - Williams celebrate centenary year!
2009 - Williams Bolton move to brand new purpose built £10m state of the art dealership.
Today, the company has expanded to ten dealerships across the North West employing over 500 people and selling thousands of vehicles each year.
1926 - Mr Williams and his sons decided to transfer to motor maintenance.
1940 - Starts to function as an army auxiliary workshop in conjunction with REME (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) who were stationed on the site.
1947 - The MOD offers the firm a central workshop in Fazakerley, Liverpool and all government work is subsequently transferred from Manchester to Liverpool in 1948.
1954 - Williams Motor Company (Walton) is established.
1960 - The company opened their car showroom in Deansgate, Manchester for the purpose of retailing new and used cars under the Rootes franchise.
1969 - Williams Power Products is opened in Manchester, which later ceases trading in 1987.
1970 - The current BMW franchise is acquired. By this time the Bodyshop side of the business had moved from Trafford Street to new premises in Hadfield Street, Manchester from which it continues to operate today.
1973 - Another branch to the company called PSV, which converts vans to mini-buses and coaches, is opened.
1976 - Williams Motor Company (Walton) transfers to the BMW and Citroen franchises in Scotland Road trading as Williams Motor Company (Liverpool), which later becomes Williams Liverpool.
1984 - A prestigious purpose built facility on Upper Brook Street, Manchester is built.
1994 - Purpose built premises on Great Howard Street in Liverpool are built.
2000 - Land Rover is added to the Williams Group.
2000/2001 - Two new dealerships open in Manchester to house BMW Motorcycles and MINI.
2001 - A new dealership for MINI opens in Liverpool. Williams acquires Ian Anthony BMW and Ian Anthony MINI in Bolton.
2003 - Williams acquires Howarth BMW and Howarth MINI in Rochdale.
2004 - Purpose built Aftersales facility at Pall Mall, Liverpool opens.
2006 - The Rochdale operation moves into a purpose built, £7m state of the art dealership.
2008 - BMW and MINI Dealer of the Year awards. BMW Manchester awarded National Used Car Dealer of the Year for the 3rd year running. MINI Manchester awarded Regional Dealer and National Used Car Dealer of the Year for 5th year running.
2009 - Williams celebrate centenary year!
2009 - Williams Bolton move to brand new purpose built £10m state of the art dealership.
Today, the company has expanded to ten dealerships across the North West employing over 500 people and selling thousands of vehicles each year.
