In about 1895 Thomas Lumsden of Gateshead began manufacturing woodworking machines, lathes and grinding machines. The firm of Lumsden, Smart & Co. of Gateshead manufactured pipe wrenches between 1894 and at least 1896, and Thomas Lumsden may have been involved in that firm as well. In 1906 Lumsden organized the Lumsden Machine Co., Ltd. to continue his manufacture of woodworking and metalworking machinery. Metal sawing machines were added to the lineup; woodworking machines seem to have been de-emphasized and were discontinued at some point. During World War I Mr. Lumsden took a leadership role in improving England's capacity to manufacture machine tools for shell production. After the war, he refocused the company on grinding machines, and developed a line of heavy grinders. Lumsden died in 1924, age 56, after a short illness.
The Lumsden Machine Co. continued on until at least 1937.
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