The Pelican Engineering Company was originally formed in 1919 by Mr Ernest Crump when the army no longer required his services as a dispatch rider at the end of the First World War.

At the time of his discharge his entire worldly possessions could be carried in one suitcase but undeterred, he decided to employ skills he had learned from the army in civilian life. Searching for an original name, he remembered his regimental mascot, the Pelican, and transferred the name to his new business hoping it would bring him good fortune there too.

He used his army discharge pay to place a deposit on a small shed at outside Leeds and within 12 months he was employing four men engaged in converting surplus military vehicles into a road worthy specification. By 1928, the company was doing so much business that it needed to move to larger premises. In 1931 Pelican was made an official agent for Gardner oil engines  confirming a partnership that would last for over 50 years.

Between 1931 and 1940 the company carried out over 800 conversions, removing petrol engines from buses and trucks and replacing them with Gardner diesel engines. Pelican also became involved with Foden Trucks whose 

vehicles were becoming an increasingly common sight on the roads and in 1934 Pelican became the first official selling agent for Foden Trucks.

Throughout the Second World War, the company worked almost exclusively for the Ministry of Defence, involved in the preparation and refurbishment of army trucks and plant which meant the firm was able to grow further during these difficult times.

By the 1960's as the Gardner engine reconditioning business declined, the company had moved into the manufacture of specialist diesel generating sets. Initially this business was based in the Gardner engine  for marine applications however by the late 1970's this had expanded to the use of all leading brand engines for a wide range of commercial and marine applications worldwide.

Today Pelican is still a family owned business managed by the grandson of the founder.  In 2000 the whole business was relocated to brand new purpose built facilities and turnover now exceeds £25 million as a result of steady business growth.