Career
He started his employment at John Stringer and Company in Hanley. Later he progressed to become head voicer at Brindley & Foster in Sheffield. He was influenced by the German organ builder, Johann Friedrich Schulze, and adopted his style in the manufacture of Diapasons, which give Keates organs their distinctive tone.
The largest organ built by the company was in 1931 for Uppingham School, which had 44 stops and 3 manuals.
In 1950 the company was absorbed into Harris Organs in Birmingham.
