1775 - Matthew Boulton and James Watt found the Boulton and Watt partnership.

1796 - Soho Foundry, purpose-built steam engine factory; Watt was a partner with Boulton and their respective sons; 1795-1800 - Boulton, Watt & Sons; 1800 - Boulton, Watt & Co.; Boulton's other companies and partnerships:

1760s - manufactured Sheffield plate under the business name of the M. Boulton Plate Company; 1770s - manufactured ormolu. 1782–1809 - M. Boulton Button Company; 1782–1796 - Boulton and Scale; c.1796–1809 - Boulton and Smith