A well-known Banffshire implement and machine maker was Auchinachie & Simpson, Mid Street, Keith. It was already undertaking its business at that address by 1868; it continued to be associated with that address until at least the First World War. After 1920 the company, as Auchinachie & Simpson Ltd, was located in Keith, Morayshire.
The company undertook a number of trades. From the mid 1870s it was an agricultural implement maker, general implement dealer, machinery broker and dealer, mechanical engineer, smith, and smith and farrier. Its manufactures included ploughs, harrows, seed sowing machines, grubbers and manure sowers. It was also an agent for a number of key Scottish and English makers, which allowed it to sell a wider range of manufactures, including mowers, reapers and binders, which had a huge impact on north-eastern farming. Its agencies included those for W. N. Nicholson & Son, Newark on Trent, Walter A. Wood, London, Macdonald Brothers, Portsoy, Harrison, McGregor, Leigh, Lancashire. D. M. Osborne & Co., London.
The company was a forward-looking one, advertising and promoting its manufactures at the Highland Show from 1876 onwards until 1923. It was awarded a silver medal for its collection by the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland in 1876. It entered its manufactures at a number of the Society’s high profile trials, including the trial for three tined-grubbers in 1885, grass seed sowing machines in 1887 and manure distributors in 1899. It was an advertiser in the North British Agriculturist from March 1870 until July 1911.
In 1910 the business was acquired by Mr James Auchinachie, and was undertaken under the old name of the business: Auchinachie & Simpson. According to the Banffshire herald of 5 February 1910, he was joined in business “with one of his sons, who has had experience of almost every branch of engineering in London, Glasgow, and elsewhere, including electrical engineering. The repairing of motor cars, motor cycles, steam, oil and gas engines will be undertaken at moderate prices.”
In February that year the business was advertising its spring implements:
“Spring implements
Broadcast sowing machines, manure distributors, turnip sowers etc, etc
The business of Auchinachie & Simpson, implement makers, Keith, has now been acquired by Mr James Auchinachie, and is being carried on under the old firm name.
Special attention is invited to the above implements, which have a reputation not only in England, Scotland, and Ireland, but in many foreign countries, and are able to hold their own in the face of all competition.
Our celebrated steel tined harrows and manure distributors have been imitated by many but equalled by none. The latter machine has been much improved for 1910-all the gearing in box is now malleable, which reduces the weight by one-half.
Our broadcast corn sower has been in the market for over 40 years, and has been highly manufactured by every user for its work.
Our far-famed turnip and mangold sower is without a rival. We have now one of a lighter pattern for light lands. Once set, a boy can work it.
Our harrow frames are complete in themselves, and not held together by the tines. The tines are made of the best Sheffield steel. None are genuine except those that bear our name. These harrows have been supplied to the Royal Farms at Windsor.
All implements required for the farm are either manufactured by ourselves or sold on commission. (Banffshire herald, 5 February 1910)
In the following month it noted that it was “makers of patent jubilee manure sower, improved for 1910, new steel-tined keyed harrows as supplied to the Royal Farms, Windsor, the celebrated broadcast sowing machine, turnip and mangold sowing machines, drill ploughs, drill harrows, grubbers &c” (Banffshire journal, 8 March 1910)
The business provided further details of its jubilee manure distributor and its other manufactures in the following March:
“The celebrated jubilee manure distributor patented and advertised by Auchinachie & Simpson, Keith.
Of all the labour-saving machines this is the greatest boon to the farmer. Light and easy draught. Recognised by leading agriculturists as the best, simplest and easiest operated on the market. Beware of imitations.
Makers of broadcast sowers, turnip sowers, steel tined keyed harrows, etc. All of the best manufacture.” (Aberdeen press and journal, 8 March 1911)
At the Highland Show in that year The Scotsman noted that the business exhibited “corn and grass seed sowing machines, turnip and mangold seed sowing machines, and improved manure distributors. (The Scotsman, 25 July 1911) The Dundee courier of 26 July 1911 provided more detail:
“Auchinachie & Simpson, Keith
The sole partner of this old established firm is now Mr James Auchinachie, and he has for the work on the farm effected considerable improvements on the implements made by the firm. The greatest has been in the feed box of the “Jubilee” manure distributor, and it is now impossible for the “barking” or “clogging” in the distributing of the manure to occur. All the working parts in the box are in sections, and should repairs ever be necessary they can be done without the aid of a mechanic and at a trifling cost. The working parts within the box, as well as the bottom of the box, are made of aluminium, which will give a much large life to the distributor. Agriculturists would do well to pay this stand a visit. Mr Auchinachie is one of the oldest exhibitors at the “Highland” having first exhibited in 1877.”
The business had a good trade in 1911. These were recorded at the end of the year in a trade report:
“Messrs Auchinachie and Simpson, implement makers, report that their trade for 1911 has been fully maintained, and that they have established a record in the output of spring implements. During the year they effected improvements on their manure distributor, and their latest type of machine has attracted the attention of agriculturists everywhere. One of these, we understand, has been supplied to his Majesty. It is fully expected that the same of their improved machines will be much increased in the coming season. The firm has recently established an export trade with the colonies in harrows and manure distributors, and have expectations that this enterprise will develop considerably in the near future.” (Banffshire herald, 30 December 1911)
