From Brantford Expositor 1927 Souvenir Edition
John McHutchion Limited, Bakers, Forty Years’ Service
The present firm of John McHutchion, Limited, was started here just, forty years ago, by the man whose name it bears. Born in Paisley, Scotland, in the year 1851, John McHutchion came to Canada at the age of 13 years, and the family settled in Brantford. He learned his trade as a moulder, with the Waterous Engine Works Company, and later, on account of poor health, he resigned to commence the baking business, on a very small scale. By untiring effort and a strict attention to the best ethics of business dealing, he forged his way to the front rank among Brantford's leadlng manufacturers. His was a strong character, and by his faithful life he gained the highest esteem of the whole community.
The first bakery stand under the name of John McHutchion, was opened in 1887, at the Corner of King and Wellington Streets; and in the folllowing year, Mr. McHutchion secured a five year lease of the building adjoining the present location on Colborne street. At this same time his sister, Miss Euphemia McHutchion, became his partner, and was in no small way instrumental in building the business to its present position and volume.
Soon after the establishment of the McHutchion business, delivery of bread was made a feature of the service. At the present time, in addition to city delivery and shipping to a radius of over 100 miles from this city, bread and cakes leave the McHutchion factory in team wagons and motor trucks to the country in seven different directions. The city wagons of McHutchion design, in orange and wine colour, are to be seen on any local street six days of the week. The McHutchion retaIl store on Colborne Street has ever been the friend of the women foIk of Brantford and country around about for regular supplies of bread and cakes, and often on occasions when extra company drop in unexpectedly. As weIl as this service in Brantford the town of Paris has enjoyed similar consideration for more than thirty-five years. Mr. Alex. McHutchion, a brother, made his home there and served the people of the place. At the present time his son, Lloyd McHutchion, is in charge of this neighboring agency.
Bread service often requires special effort and sacrifice in order that customers be not disappointed. As an instance of this fact, it is recalled that there have been occasions when it has taken all day to get through snow drifts to Paris for delivery. As another indication of the business acumen shown by the makers of McHutchion products, and their desIre to serve the best at all times, it is interesting to note that this firm was the first in Western Ontario to adopt the Baker Automatlc machinery which eliminates the handling of dough. More recently the plant has been further equipped wIth the very latest high speed mixing machinery obtained from the same manufacturers, Baker - Perkins Lilmited, of London England, and of this city. These modern facilities enable the McHutchion factory to mix nine hundred pounds of dough in twelve minutes, a realization that is a long stride from the old method of hand-mixing in a trough.
The presIdent of this company, Mr. Harry Carpenter, and his brother, Walter, nephews of Mr. McHutchion, have always been connected with the firm, and since the death of Mr. McHutchion in 1916, have endeavored to carry on the policy of "Better Bread and Cakes” along with a sincere service to the public that has characterized the business from the start. Mr. Geo. lnnes, in charge of the baking of McHutchion bread, has faithfully occupied that position for nearly 30 years, giving the people of city and vicinity a better loaf with each succeeding day. The success attained by the firm is due in a large measure to the faithfulness and long service of the majority of the men who manufacture and deliver its products and to the community of people who show their appreciatIon of these workmen by their loyal and liberal patronage.