Alexander MacRae

For those of a similar name, see Alexander McRae (disambiguation).
Alexander MacRae
Born 1888
Scotland
Died 1938
Australia
Nationality Scottish
Occupation Businessman
Spouse(s) Martha MacRae
Children Alisdair MacRae
William MacRae
James MacRae
Ronald MacRae
Duncan MacRae
Jean MacRae
Parent(s) Murdo MacRae
Mary MacRae

Alexander MacRae (c. 1888–1938) was an entrepreneur and clothing manufacturer. Born in Scotland, he emigrated to Australia where in 1914 he founded the company that became the swimwear giant Speedo.

Biography

Early life

Alexander MacRae was born in Scotland to Mary and Murdo MacRae. His father, Murdo MacRae, was a fisherman in the north Western part or Scotland near the Kyle of Lochalsh. They married Mary at the Kyle of Loch Alsh train station. In 1910, Alexander immigrated to Australia.

Career

It was in 1914, he founded the hosiery company MacRae Knitting Mills in Regent St, Sydney Australia.[1] In 1918, the company moved into a larger factory in Camperdown. The company was growing quickly which required further area to manufacture what was becoming an icon of Australia. In 1928 a competition was held to see who could come up with a new name for the business. The name 'Speedo' was born and it is the company's name to this day.[2]

Later, he flew to America and set the business up there.[3]

Personal life

He married Martha MacRae. They had five sons and a daughter: Alisdair, William, James, Ronald, Duncan and Jean. All of their sons became directors of Speedo.

References

  1. ↑ "PEOPLE: ALEXANDER MACRAE - SPEEDO". The Daily Mail in Scotland. 29 July 2006. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  2. ↑ "INDUSTRIES & COMMERCE: SPEEDO KNITTING MILLS PTY LIMITED". http://www.willoughbydhs.org.au. Retrieved 8 September 2012. External link in |publisher= (help)
  3. ↑ "PEOPLE: ALEXANDER MACRAE - SPEEDO". The Daily Mail in Scotland. 29 July 2006. Retrieved 8 September 2012.


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