Edwin Smith (c1848-1934), Managing Director of Smith and Grace
1834 Obituary
IT is with regret that we learn of the recent sudden death, in his own car, of Mr. Edwin Smith, the managing director of Smith and Grace, Ltd., of Thrapston, near Kettering. Mr. Smith, who was eighty-six years of age, was for forty years in charge of the London branch of the firm's business, and attended the London office right up to the time of his death .
He began business about 1860, at which time his firm was solely engaged in the production of agricultural implements. When the steam engine was introduced for farm work, the firm began to fit pulleys to chaff cutters, and other farm machinery, which previously had been turned by hand. The business rapidly increased and pulleys were supplied to other firms of implement makers, until, in 1885, it was necessary for the firm to devote all its attention to the power transmission side of its business, and to give up the manufacture of farm implements. The business grew until the firm has become, to-day, one of the largest manufacturers of pulleys and power transmission devices.
In 1897 a limited liability company was formed, and the principal production of the firm - the screw boss pulley, an invention of the late Mr. Smith's brother - was greatly developed. The Thrapston industrial vee flat drive was also introduced.
During a period of over sixty years Mr. Edwin Smith had personal charge of the sales side of the business, and his death will be regretted by a very wide circle of business friends.