The company was founded, as Ransomes, in 1789 by Robert Ransome, an ironfounder in Norwich before moving to Ipswich. He received patents for improvements to ploughs. The firm became Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies Engineers. They became a major British agricultural machinery maker, their most famous products were traction engines, ploughs and other tillage equipment. In the First World War, they manufactured aeroplanes: 350 "Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2" fighters.