Jedburgh-based Starrett (www.starrett.com)— a manufacturer of precision measurement tools, power tool accessories, hand tools and bandsaw blades — is celebrating its 60th anniversary of manufacturing in Scotland. The US-owned company — founded in Athol, Massachusetts, in 1880 — opened its Scottish factory in 1958.

The company can trace its roots back to 1878, when Laroy S Starrett invented (and patented) the combination square. He founded the LS Starrett Company two years later to manufacture the product; by 1882, he had secured sales representatives across America, as well as in London and Paris.

Donald Miller, general sales manager at Starrett’s Jedburgh factory, said: “After establishing a base in Sao Paulo (Brazil) in 1956, the business was also considering locations in the UK and Europe.

“Jedburgh’s town provost at the time realised the potential opportunity for the Scottish Borders area and arranged to meet with Douglas R Starrett to promote it as an ideal location. The meeting was a success, and Starrett’s UK factory was constructed.

“Today, there are over 150 people employed at the 200,000ft² facility, which produces more than two million hole saws per year, as well as a range of other saws and machines, such as optical profile projectors and bandsaw blades.

"We’ve had 60 years to contribute to the nation’s manufacturing excellence, and we consider it a real honour to be part of such a powerful legacy.”

The Jedburgh base forms the epicentre of Starrett’s UK and European operations;it currently supplies products to over 50 countries through Starrett’s well-established network of distributors and long-term partners.

The business also manufactures metrology equipment and in recent years has added force measurement and material-testing equipment to its portfolio.