BTR originates in 1924, when the B.F.Goodrich Company of the USA formed a UK subsidiary British Goodrich Rubber Co. Ltd. In 1934 Goodrich sold most of its shares in the company, which changed its name to the British Tyre & Rubber Co. Ltd. In 1956 the company changed its name to BTR Limited, when it ceased production of tyres.

During the 1960s and 70s BTR underwent reorganisation and acquired and merged with many companies including Permali, Allied Polymer Group and Worcester Controls. By 1982 BTR had acquired a large number of companies in the United Kingdom, the USA, Canada, Australia, South Africa and Germany. In 1985 BTR acquired Dunlop Aviation Division from Dunlop Rubber Co to form BTR Aerospace Group.

In 1999, BTR merged with Siebe, becoming BTR Siebe. The name was later changed to Invensys.