In 1844 Joseph Cockshoot left the employ of his uncle’s hackney carriage business to set up his own coachbuilding firm in Major Street Manchester. In 1851 William P Norris was employed and 1873 saw the business converted into a private company, Joseph Cockshoot and Co., with Joseph Cockshoot and William Norris in charge. In 1855 the business moved to Fountain Street and then New bridge Street in 1865. The Norris influence was furthered when Sydney Norris, apprenticed in 1881, became the Works Superintendent in 1886. He would be succeed by C Estill Norris, who was apprenticed in 1881, as Works Superintendent.

Joseph Cockshoot and Co was highly prosperous with a reputation for high quality craftsmanship and elegant design. The firm also improved technical aspects such as brakes, axles and springs. Its customers included building a carriage for each new High Sheriff of Lancashire. The company won numerous awards and exhibited at major events such as the Jubilee Exhibition in Manchester in 1887 and in Paris Exhibition of 1878 when the company won a Premier Gold Medal.

William Norris became involved in public service and trade institutions. For example, he was a founder member of the Institute of British Carriage Manufacturers and the Northern Counties’ master Coachbuilders Defence Association. However, he died in 1894 ironically from injuries gained in a tram car accident.

The company became a limited company, Joseph Cockshoot and Co. Ltd, in 1895 with Joseph Cockshoot as Chairman and Sydney Norris (son of William) and Richard Randell as joint managing directors. The directors were James and Peter Hesketh, John Ainsworth and Thomas Cockshoot.