William McKinnon and Co

of Spring Garden Iron Works, Aberdeen

1798 Company established by William McKinnon.

1856 Advertising for Fitters and Pattern Makers. William M'Kinnon and Co, Spring Garden Iron Works.

1879 Mentioned John Gray of the company, engineer.

1891 News item. 'At Spring Garden Iron Works (W. M'Kinnon and Co.) a year of unbroken activity was experienced, and a large complement of bands were kept fully employed. This firm do not engage much in local work, their business being mostly the manufacture of machinery for sugar and coffee plantations abroad - work in which they have come to be recognised as taking a leading position. In the course of the year the firm renewed a considerable part of their premises and added a large new engineering shop furnished with all the latest appliances adapted to the special work in which they engage. These improvements afford additional facilities for turning out work, and give increased comfort to the workmen. With regard to the prospects for the ensuing year, they are, so far as can at present be judged, very encouraging.'

1900 Mentioned. F. L. M'Kinnon.

1914 Engineers, Ironfounders, Boilermakers. Specialities: Coffee Plantation Machinery; Sugar, Rice, Cocoa and Rubber Machinery. Employees 200 to 300.

1914 Chairman: David Graeme Robertson. Managing Director: Frederick Lachlan McKinnon (grandson of Founder).

1917 Maker of machines used in the coffee industry.

1922 Employees: 300. Manufactures.— Boilers; sugar, rice, cocoa, rubber and coffee plantation machinery.

1983 Works still at Spring Garden. During the '80's the business was still using belt driven lathes and machinery from the 19th century.

Company wound up in early 1990's.

See Also

Loading...