A brief history of Leiston Works

This is how a company brochure of 1911 saw the works and recorded its history:

Richard Garrett, the great great grandfather of the present Directors, established Leiston Works in 1778.

Sickles and Scythes, the only agricultural tools then known, were manufactured on a large scale, and they were subsequently followed by Turnip Cutters, Chaff Cutters, Iron Ploughs and Harrows.

In 1806 - one hundred and five years ago - Richard Garrett & Sons, Ltd., built the first Horse-Power Threshing Machine.

About 1840 the company conceived the idea of employing steam power for agricultural purposes, and after patient and exhaustive experiments, produced a set of Steam Threshing Machinery, and were amongst the first manufacturers to exhibit a set at a Public Show in England (Norwich). A large proportion of the first Steam Threshing Sets employed in Italy, France, Germany, Austria, was manufactured at Leiston Works, which, ever since 1840, has enjoyed one of the largest export trades in Steam Engines and Threshers in the world. The demand for Garrett Steam Threshing Machinery was so great that the trade in the smaller machinery manufactured in large quantities before 1840 had to be given up.

The technical books and standard educational works published in various countries and languages for the purpose of teaching at universities, are always largely made up of illustrations and descriptions of Garrett's Machinery - in itself a conclusive proof of their acknowledged superiority.

With all due modesty RICHARD GARRETT & SONS, Ltd., can claim to have been the principal Pioneers and Inventors in a higher degree than any other firm in the manufacture and successful introduction of important agricultural machinery.

In the subsequent perfection of their specialities, the Leiston firm has always taken a leading position.

The present [Town] Works cover between 20 and 30 acres [illustrated above], and are equipped with hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical power transmission and with modern tools throughout.

The mechanics and workmen enjoyed a number of special privileges.

Years ago a Benefit Society was started by the firm, which has since been entirely managed by the workmen with very satisfactory results.

A spacious Hall for entertainments, is at their disposal, and attached is a Free Library as well as Reading and Recreation Rooms; besides all this there is a large Recreation Ground for outdoor sports and games.

The firm has built several hundred excellent Artisans' Houses with garden in front and behind, and perhaps even a larger number have been built by the workmen themselves, so that Leiston Works practically forms a town in itself, and many interested visitors have admired the healthy and comfortable dwellings of the workmen.

There is a perfectly equipped up-to-date Technical School with the requisite Laboratories, for the higher education of advanced students in engineering subjects; the low fee of £1 per annum places splendid educational facilities within the reach of all.