Originally founded at Maidstone in 1897, Tilling-Stevens Ltd., has a long and successful career as independent commercial vehicle manufacturers, and just before the war took over Vulcan Motors.
In 1950 the firm joined the Rootes Group and its works were re-organised for a new role specialising in engine production. Now Tilling-Stevens manufacture the revolutionary Rootes two stroke three cylinder diesel engine which has attracted world-wide attention, and also re-condition all types of Group petrol engines and Ministry of Supply engines.