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FG Wilson founder dies aged 84 FG Wilson founder dies aged 84
(about 5 hours later)
One of Northern Ireland's leading industrialists has died at the age of 84.One of Northern Ireland's leading industrialists has died at the age of 84.
Fred Wilson founded engineering firm FG Wilson in 1966. It began with just six employees but grew to become a global supplier of electrical generators.Fred Wilson founded engineering firm FG Wilson in 1966. It began with just six employees but grew to become a global supplier of electrical generators.
He sold the Larne-based firm in 1995 and retired in 1999. Within a year, he had formed a new golf buggy business.He sold the Larne-based firm in 1995 and retired in 1999. Within a year, he had formed a new golf buggy business.
Last year, he was awarded an OBE for his contribution to entrepreneurship and engineering.Last year, he was awarded an OBE for his contribution to entrepreneurship and engineering.
Fred Wilson left school at the age of 12. After a spell with the family firm and as an engineering apprentice, he worked as a scrap metal merchant. Mr Wilson left school at the age of 12. After a spell with the family firm and as an engineering apprentice, he worked as a scrap metal merchant.
He formed FG Wilson in 1966 at premises in Belfast. In the mid-1970s, the firm expanded into the Middle East.He formed FG Wilson in 1966 at premises in Belfast. In the mid-1970s, the firm expanded into the Middle East.
The company entered the generating market, selling hundreds of sets to Saudi Arabia to supply electricity to Bedouin tribes in remote areas.The company entered the generating market, selling hundreds of sets to Saudi Arabia to supply electricity to Bedouin tribes in remote areas.
As the market in the Middle East dried up in the mid-1980s, the firm's fortunes were boosted by the miners' strike in Britain.As the market in the Middle East dried up in the mid-1980s, the firm's fortunes were boosted by the miners' strike in Britain.
Mr Wilson brought in stand-by generators from the US to a base at Heathrow Airport, with turnover up ten-fold in a year.Mr Wilson brought in stand-by generators from the US to a base at Heathrow Airport, with turnover up ten-fold in a year.
In 1999, he sold the technology and patents of his products upon his retirement, but within a year he was designing and manufacturing a range of golf buggies.In 1999, he sold the technology and patents of his products upon his retirement, but within a year he was designing and manufacturing a range of golf buggies.
FG Wilson managing director Mark Sweeney said the company were deeply saddened to learn of Mr Wilson's death.
"His vision and enterprise have left a strong legacy at this company," he said.
"On behalf of the management and staff of FG Wilson, I extend my deepest condolences to Fred's family."
The father-of-four's funeral will be held on Thursday in Hillsborough, County Down.The father-of-four's funeral will be held on Thursday in Hillsborough, County Down.