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There can be few shops with quite the depth of hands on engineering history as Mackay’s of Cambridge. Founded in 1912 by father Donald and son Duncan Mackay Four generations of the Mackay family have now made their mark on the Cambridge engineering and tool supply scene for almost a century. The start gave little clue to what was to happen later. In fact it gives support to the adage “if you don’t ask you don’t get”!
The original Mackay’s of Cambridge were newly arrived from Scotland when they approached a local blacksmith, wheelwright and fence making company called J. Alsop and Sons with the simple question saying “You have a fine business here Mr Alsop…do you want to sell it?” Possibly to the dismay of the sons employed in the business John Alsop came to an agreement to sell there and then, sealing the deal with a handshake over the anvil (not a solicitor or estate agent in sight).
The original premises were very cramped and expansion took place by buying up some adjacent slum cottages to provide for much needed expansion of the engineering business.
With the onset of the first world war, the firm expanded to provide heating and plumbing services for the military hospitals that were located around Cambridge.
The third generation of the family Donald (named after his Grandfather) joined the business during world war II right on the bottom rung with no favours given. Fortunately, Donald’s innate curiosity and observation enabled him to make a contribution initially with some expertise in the art of locksmithing. Customers who used Donald’s skills included Witgenstein who is now regarded as one of the most insightful philosophers of the 20th century was impressed by the cleverness of Donald in picking the lock of his shipping trunk!
Engineering work in Cambridge was nothing of not varied. One unforgettable job was to weld up a metal frame which was subsequently covered in leather to form the rear end of cow for collecting sperm from bulls for artificial insemination purposes! Other jobs for Mackay engineering included the development of the “Summerfield Spring Runway for use in deserts. Highly sophisticated vacuum pumps and the refurbishment of a corrugated cardboard making machine which led on to the formation of a major cardboard packaging company.
Possibly the most prestigious development was the company’s work of radio astronomy and Mackays built what was the first really effective radio telescope in the world under the direction of Martin Ryle who eventually earned a knighthood won the Nobel Prize and became the Astronomer Royal. Despite the “out of this world” nature of Radio astronomy, Martin Ryle took a keen interest in the inventive mind of Donald MacKay and assisted with what is now the fashionable area of wind powered electricity generation.
While not quite reaching for the heavens, one of Donald’s major breakthrough’s was the invention of a new construction method for spiral staircase construction. This was patented and the system is still the preferred method with a company making significant numbers of staircases to this design which is located in nearby St Ives.
Despite the prolific inventiveness of Donald, mention must be made of the contribution of his sister Joan. The death of Donald and Joan’s father Duncan meant that a serious gap existed in the business from an administration point of view and although Joan had won a scholarship and had been studying music she gave it up and became secretary to her grandfather and helped the company survive what was a very critical period in its existence.
Donald’s sons Duncan and Neil Mackay now run the business but up ‘til very recently Joan was actively involved while Donald regularly visits the business on a daily basis.
The essence of any discovery seems to be the “prepared mind”. The engineering business was the core of the family’s original and indeed continuing success in that sector. However, the tool supply sector stems from the original stores being in demand by other local companies as a potential source of products to “borrow” from rather than build up their own stocks. Recognising an opportunity grandfather and father Donald and Duncan saw the possibilities and opened the stores as a shop selling anything to do with engineering. From that point on it grew rapidly despite the sad death of Duncan.
Now Mackay’s of Cambridge must be one of the most impressive tool supply operations in the country. The shop has grown to take over much of the old engineering factory which has now been re-located to a different part of Cambridge in a 16,000 square ft factory where it continues to supply a wide variety of engineering services using state of the art technology.
Another division of Mackay’s is Mackay Storage Systems. Neil Mackay spotted a market for supplying customised storage solutions for the fast growing high tech industry in and around Cambridge. He noted that if he could provide ways for companies to use space more efficiently they wouldn’t have to be constantly moving to larger premises. Neil developed a skill of providing innovative solutions and the department grew rapidly by providing rapid turnaround of solutions to tricky problems. Many laboratories in Cambridge University have also become regular customers.
Neil Mackay believes the Mackay’s ability to spot niche markets ahead of less flexible competition has been an important element in the firms success. He recognised a need for quality ladder and access equipment well in advance of the governments latest safety drive with the introduction of the ‘Work at Height’ regulations. Now the company sells Youngman and Lyte ladders and access towers all over the country via its website www.mackay.co.uk The website even attracted interest from abroad resulting in a substantial order and upfront payment from Africa. Recently there has been considerable demand for a particular ladder product from America.
Another niche market which Mackay’s have recently enter is Fireworks. Mackay’s have invested in stocking the high quality Sparky range of fireworks. Neil decided that the customers needed to see what they were paying for so he arranged to film the fireworks and produce a DVD so that when a customer asks what he gets for his money Mackay’s staff can show the product on screen. This marketing idea has proved highly successful and sales have rocketed as a result.
The original shop has now expanded into the old engineering factory which has given Mackay’s an advantage that cannot easily be matched by other retailers on this side of the Atlantic …space. This space is used to good effect and a host branded products from: Robert Bosch, Carl Kammerlin International, Draper Tools, Footprint, Brian Hyde, Irwin, Lyte Industries (Wales) Ltd., Makita, Owlet-Jaton Plasti-kote, Quigley Metal Products, Jack Sealey Ltd., Teamvise, Trend Machinery & Cutting Tools Ltd Toolbank Youngman, Cooper Tools Unior International, Stanley Tools, , Ryobi, DeWalt, Bahco, Wera, Irwin, Gilbow, Footprint, Scan, Hitachi, Record. Black and Decker, Delta, Vitrex, Lufkin, Ultra Brummer, Rapid, Kuny’s, Fisco. Jack, Knipex, Wilkinson Sword, Town and Country, Flexipads, Eastwing, Stabila, Unibond, Rawlplug, Jubilee, Victrinox, Einelll and Monument among many others.
Staff at Mackay’s can obtain virtually any item from a list of 25,000 tools from over 200 suppliers within 24 to 48 hours. There is also internet trading via the www.mackay.co.uk website.
The most recent development is a new purpose built training room which can be used to run product training courses for both the staff and the general public. The room is equipped to a high standard and has been used to run end user Router courses with considerable assistance and support of Trend. A programme of staff training courses by major suppliers is being planned. Neil commented that “ for far to long we have paid lip service to product training because it has been hard to spare staff from our busy counters. We now have a facility on site where courses can be run.” The room has also been used for a regional sales meeting by a major supplier.
Mackay’s are proud to be members of the premier engineering supply buying group THS. Joining the group greatly enhanced the purchasing and marketing abilities of Mackay’s. Neil Mackay joined the board of the Rotherham based group earlier this year. Neil said “THS membership has allowed us to enter markets we wouldn’t have been able to compete in on our own. The whole operation is highly professional”.
Marketing is a key to continuing success and Mackay’s are always trying out new ideas. Special sections of the shop cater for the different needs of customers from specialist hand tool, power tool, fastener and fixings, security, garden tools, ladders departments, together with a comprehensive metals warehouse all on the East Road site.
All in all I had a great time visiting Mackay’s of Cambridge. Long may it prosper!
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