Alexander McKechnie, chairman of McKechnie Brothers, Ltd., of Birmingham and Widnes, died on October 24th, 1943, at the age of 77.
He studied chemistry and physics at Owens College, Manchester, from 1882 to 1885, and on completing the course was appointed chemist in the wet copper extraction works of Messrs. Duncan McKechnie, at St. Helens, Lanes. After working in this capacity for six years he entered into partnership with his two brothers, under the style of McKechnie Brothers, and erected and managed copper smelting and silver refining works at Widnes, Lancs.
In 1898 he commenced the erection of concentrating and refining works at Birmingham, and later managed them on behalf of his firm, of which he was by then managing partner. Under his guidance both works had been greatly extended, and at the time of his death extruded brass rods, stampings and ingots were manufactured at Birmingham, and heavy chemicals at Widnes.
Mr. McKechnie was well known and respected in the metal world and was highly esteemed by all his staff and work people.
He was elected a Member of the Institution in 1911.
Vol. 54, Trans IMM 1944-45, p.271
