The company was formed by Thomas Head and Joseph Wrightson in 1840 when they purchased the Teesdale Iron Works in Thornby-on-Tees in Yorkshire. The company specialised in heavy engineering using cast iron and wrought iron.

The company continued operating until the 1980s and by then employed around 6,500 staff.

The Stockton Borough Council archives hold over 16,000 photographs related to the history of the company.