Like many other companies such as vacuum cleaner and sewing machine manufacturers, the company was founded on the basis of an invention.

In the case of Scalemaster it was the Electrolytic Limescale inhibitor first patented by Derek Woodhouse during 1973 that provided such a base. Operating in the county of Staffordshire, UK, Mr Woodhouse, like so many other inventors, became obsessed with the problems associated with limescale together with its effects on plumbing installations.
Although research work first commenced in 1967, the Electrolytic Inhibitor did not go on sale in the UK until the early 80s when an exclusive distribution agreement was reached with a U.K company supplying builders and plumbers merchants. Daw Enterprises Ltd the registered owners of the Scalemaster brand was formed during this period to facilitate supplies. With sales of the product reaching some 33,000 units per annum by the mid 80s Scalemaster Electrolytic remained under the said exclusive distribution arrangement with the agreement being dissolved during 1992. Since that time Scalemaster products have been exclusively supplied by Daw Enterprises Ltd.

Since 1967 continuing research and development has been a theme of the company leading to further patents being granted for products featured in this site. In addition the company now boasts a significant presence in the field of heating circuit protection products also featured in site and is a supporter of Benchmark.

As a further example of the innovative nature of the company, 1998 saw the launch of Softline electric showers the first such shower to feature inbuilt limescale protection. With electric showers being similar in design to electric kettles and suffering from the same fate with regards to limescale , the company in partnership with a U.K shower manufacturer launched the first electric shower to offer such protection prolonging the life and efficiency of the shower.