He spotted a gap produced by the failure of the Scottish Iron Moulders' Friendly Society, and the new union was successful, growing to 556 members by 1834, and gaining increases of 4 shillings per week for its members.

[2] The union attempted to restrict the number of workers in the industry by campaigning to limit the number of apprentices, and charging a fee of £5 for non-Scottish workers to join the union.

Due to its high subscriptions, it was able to pay a pension of 3s 6d per week to retired members, and additional benefits including one for members who suffered accidents at work.

It was also an early member of the Scottish Trades Union Congress.

[2] In 1920, the union merged with the Friendly Society of Iron Founders of England, Ireland and Wales and the Amalgamated Society of Coremakers of Great Britain to form the National Union of Foundry Workers.