Herbert Austin, who had worked on Wolseley's shearing machinery development in Melbourne, Australia from 1887, when he was aged just 20, was appointed its manager and received a share of its equity.

Though the board did allow Austin to purchase some machinery to build cars, they decided around 1900, it was unlikely to be a profitable industry.

[9] The post-war rise of synthetic textiles sharply reduced the demand for wool and the necessary machinery, and in 1960, Wolseley diversified activities, by buying Nu Way Heating.

[10] Wolseley expanded to Europe by buying French plumbing supplies business Brossette in February 1992.

[13][14] Wolseley sold ISB (Importation et Solution Bois) Group to its management in April 2015.

[21] In January 2021, the company sold Wolseley UK to Clayton, Dubilier & Rice for £308 million.