Singer Built America’s Sewing Machine Empire — Then the New Jersey Factory Closed

Singer became one of the most recognizable sewing-machine names in the world, and for more than a century Elizabeth, New Jersey was at the center of its American manufacturing story. The Great Factory began taking shape in the early 1870s. Singer consolidated its U.S. manufacturing in Elizabeth in 1873, taking advantage of Newark Bay, rail connections and access to New York shipping. At its peak, a later federal court record put employment at roughly 10,000 workers. Even in 1973, the Elizabeth operation still employed about 3,500 people and produced roughly 300,000 consumer and industrial sewing machines. Then the work began to shrink. Consumer production ended at Elizabeth in 1980. In 1981, union workers accepted major concessions while Singer agreed to spend $2 million restructuring the plant and use its best efforts to secure additional work. In February 1982, Singer announced that manufacturing would close by the end of the year, affecting 560 manufacturing employees. The workers sued. A federal judge would not force Singer to keep the plant open, but found the company had breached specific restructuring and best-efforts commitments in the labor agreement. This documentary follows the sewing machine, the Elizabeth factory, the workers, the final court fight and what remains today — including a Singer brand that survived long after the work left New Jersey. If you enjoy original documentaries about American factories, workers, towns and the industries that built everyday life, subscribe to When the Work Left. #WhenTheWorkLeft #Singer #AmericanManufacturing