• Early thirties, farmer Freddie W McConnel sets up FW McConnel, a company producing apple grading machines and trailers.
• In 1939 F.W McConnel was called on by the Government to help the war effort by manufacturing trailers for the distribution of tanks and machinery.
  
  

1940’s

• 1945 After WWII, FW McConnel sets up production of the first tractor-mounted hedge cutter. This machine can still be seen in the factory today.
• The success of the hedge cutter sparked more products, one of which was McConnel's mobile saw bench. Early models were fitted with wheels from Spitfire fighter planes. This was one of the few McConnel products powered by petrol.
• 1949 Royal Highland Agricultural Sociality of Scotland – Silver Medal.
• 1949 Bath & West & Southern Counties Society – Silver Award.

• 1950 McConnel moves to the Ludlow site when Freddie McConnel goes into ownership with Major Richard Bessley.

• 1953 McConnel launches a new product, the PAU (Power Arm Universal) designed for multiple uses including hedge trimming and digging. One of McConnel’s most successful products, the saw bench, an update on the 1940’s model, sells more than 10,000 units.
• 1951 Royal Highland Agricultural Sociality of Scotland – Silver Medal;
• British Dairy Farmers Association – Silver Medal;
• Bath & West & Southern Counties – Silver Medal.
• 1953 British Dairy Farmers Association – Silver Medal.
• 1956 Royal Welsh Agricultural Society - Silver Medal.
• 1957 Royal Agricultural Society of England – Silver Medal

• McConnel introduces a new Power Arm, the PAS (Power Arm Slew), the company’s first power arm with 3-point linkage.
• McConnel introduces Hyfi controls for the 12 CN and Double D power arm which comes with the option of a loader arm.
• 1960 Royal Welsh Agricultural Society - Silver Medal.
• 1961 Southport Agricultural Show - Silver Medal.
• 1964 Royal Agricultural Society of England – Gold Medal.
• 1966 McConnel taken over by the Wolseley Hughes Group.

• The 1970’s prove a busy decade for McConnel. The company introduces the PA44 (Power Arm 44) McConnel’s first hedge and verge mower with a flailhead. This machine supersedes the PAU with the option of a loader and digger arm.
• McConnel introduces several new machines to the market including the bale packer; the sheep foot trimmer; and the dragonfly.A sugar cane harvester is introduced and sold to Caribbean countries, central and South America and Africa.
• McConnel extends and refurbishes the Ludlow factory and builds another production facility in Knighton, mid-Wales.
• 1975 Royal Agricultural Society of England – Silver Medal.
• 1977 McConnel introduces the first shakaerator, a soil loosener with patented vibration unit to break up soil and increase yields.
• McConnel introduces the PA22, the company’s first 3-point linkage hedge and verge mower with belt-driven flailhead.

• Computer technology helps McConnel grow at a faster rate with the introduction of new machines and many new power arm features.
• 1983 McConnel introduces the Hy-Reach XL (Extra Long), McConnel's first telescopic hedge and verge cutter with a reach of five metres.
• 1984 Royal Bath & West & Southern Counties Society - Gold Medal.
• 1985 Royal Agricultural Society of England – Silver Medal.
• 1987 McConnel introduces the company’s first full range of power arms, the 90 series.

• 1990 McConnel launches the 2000 series which ran along side the 90 series.
• 1991 McConnel purchased by Alamo Group, an American-owned company specialising in agricultural and industrial machinery.
• 1999 Royal Welsh Agricultural Society - Silver Medal; Royal Agricultural Society of England – Silver Medal.

• 2001 Shropshire Chamber of Commerce, Business of the Year; SIMA Exhibition Paris, France – Silver Medal.
• 2002 The Queen's Award for Enterprise (Innovation); Royal Agricultural Society of England – Silver Medal.
• 2003 Shropshire Chamber of Commerce, Customer Service Award; Royal Agricultural Society of England – Silver Medal.
• 2004 Doctor Alban Davies Trophy – Silver Medal; Royal Agricultural Society of England – Silver Medal; Farm Business, Highly Commended (PA 7700T).
• 2005 Winner of the Prestigious Burke Trophy.
• 2005 HRH, The Princess Royal visits McConnel's Ludlow production plant recognising 75 years of successful trading.