50 years ago in American Machinist

Greist Manufacturing Co. of New Haven, Conn., a manufacturer that made sewing machine attachments and Singer sewing machines and equipment for the U.S. Navy during World War II, was profiled in the December 5 issue. A thirdgeneration company, Greist had completed a $3 million, toptobottom modernization. (If $1 = $1 in 1913, $2.71 in 1955 and $19.37 in 2005, our calculator indicates Greist spent around $50 million in 2005 dollars.) The company was betting that home sewing would boom and women would want more sewing machine attachments to do fancier kinds of work. The company's revitalization involved purchasing new equipment, such as a Minster 22-ton press, and implementing 'the best plant layout for modern "straight-line" production.' Topics included quality control spurs modernization, modernizing the pressroom cuts costs, good tool design provides springboard for quality work and lower costs, multi-spindle machines cut costs sharply, and modern tool room backs up Greist production. Home sewing did take off in the post-war era, but times would change and women would leave their sewing rooms to re-enter the workforce.