This firm was partnered by Robert McKechnie and John Bertram. It was established in 1863 and changed its name to John Bertram & Sons in 1886. See the entry for John Bertram & Sons for a detailed history of this maker.

Information Sources

• Listed in Lovell's Canadian Dominion Directory for 1871, in several places. "CANADA TOOL WORKS, McKechnie & Bertram, proprietors, Hatt st. (Dundas). See adv. p. 6". Also, "MCKECHNIE & BERTRAM, manufacturer of machinists tools and wood working machinery, Canada tool works, Hatt st. See adv. p. 6". There are one-line entries under the names of the principals as well.
• 1872 Might & Taylor's Toronto Directory lists "McKechnie & Bertram (R McKechnie and J Bertram), Canada Machine, Tool and Woodworking Machine Works, Dundas; A D Cameron agent, 64 Colborne".
• Seen on an online for-sale site: a 24-inch long-bed planer from this maker.
• The United States Centennial Commission's Report on the International Exhibition of 1876 lists McKechnie & Bertram as exhibiting "Radial Drill, etc." The Reports and Awards book by the same Commission lists McKechnie & Bertram of Dundas for "Wood-moulding machine and radial drill. Report.—A variety of machine tools for the working of metal and wood; also originality shown in the design of a radial drilling machine, whereby the spindle may be placed at any angle within certain limits; likewise for general convenience and soundness of structure in a machine for planing wood, which is a remarkably good tool for its intended purpose." It lists the firm as exhibiting a wood moulding machine; a "moulding machine, lathe, drill, etc."; an iron turning lathe; a radial drill; a slotting machine; an iron shaping machine. Their exhibit won a Silver Medal.
• The Authorized Catalogue of the First Annual Exhibition of the Agricultural and Industrial Exhibition Association of Toronto, held in September 1879, lists McKechnie & Bertram as exhibiting a 4-head moulder, and a single-sided planer-matcher. Under the category of iron-working machinery they exhibited a radial drill, planer, shaper, large screw-cutting engine lathe, small screw-cutting engine lathe, and a "lever drill".
• The Report of Sir Charles Tupper, G.C.M.G., CB., Executive Commissioner, on the Canadian Section of the Colonial and Indian Exhibition at South Kensington, 1886, mentions, "The wood-working machines of Messrs. McKechnie & Bertram, of Dundas, Ont., proved quite a revelation as to what can be effected by a few hands in turning out material for cabinet work and house fittings."