The engineering firm James Parrott of Salford was established by James Parrott in 1845. The company had premises on Brown Street in Salford and manufactured hydraulic pumps and presses used in the manufacturing of calender bowls used to emboss patterns on wallpaper and other paper products, and used in the textile industry.

In 1855, James Parrott took over the operation of the engineers and hydraulic press makers Norbury and Maguire of Booth Street, Salford. Two years later, the company made the hydraulic pump currently on display at the Science and Industry Museum.

In 1868, James Parrott was granted a patent, alongside Wright Jones, for improvements in machinery for beetling woven fabrics and other materials.

In 1891, the owner of the company, James Parrott, retired from the business, moving to Blackpool. He gave the business to his nephew, Richard England after which it became known as Richard England (Salford) Ltd.