The Canada Tool Works

 

The story of  the John Bertram and Sons Company begins with John Bertram and Robert McKechnie.

Robert McKechnie came to Canada from Glasgow in 1843. He learned pattern making at Gartshore’s Foundry and eventually started a small pattern and machine shop. In 1860, McKechnie formed a partnership with William McDonald and their original shop was located on Park Street. It burned down in 1861 and they built a small shop on Hatt Street which would eventually grow to become the Bertram Works.

In 1863 McKechnie formed a partnership with John Bertram and they established the Canada Tool Works. This partnership continued until 1886 when McKechnie retired.

The original shops of McKechnie and Bertram.