Sewing-Equipment Makers, Distributors Face New Challenges

Sewing-equipment manufacturers have made significant advancements in technology in recent years. Using the latest in software technology, they have made machines faster and more precise than ever before. But as the manufacturing base for sewing equipment has deteriorated, so has the customer base.

Southern California has taken some of the biggest hits. The introduction of trade agreements such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the global search for cheap labor have sent production jobs—and sewing equipment—to Asia and south of the border. Factors such as rising workers’ compensation costs, which have plagued local factories, have also affected the sewing-equipment industry.

“NAFTA is what hit us real hard,” said Mariano Marercovich of Los Angeles–based manufacturer Taiko USA, which is phasing out its sewing business after more than 20 years of operation. “There used to be about 5,000 operations here, and now what do we have: 200 or 300?”

Taiko tried to compete in Mexico and had five offices open at one point. But Marercovich said corruption in the industry there caused him to shutter his Mexico operations. Taiko will now focus on its sanitary-equipment business.

John Harb Sewing Machine Co.—a distributor of Brother, Juki, Pegasus and other leading brands in Los Angeles—has also felt the pains caused by shifting business trends. The company has survived by selling to other industries, such as furniture and upholstery.

“We’ve also managed to work with some specialty firms like Lucky [Brand Dungarees] and others that do vintage denim,” said principal George Harb, who has been in business for 45 years.

“You have to diversify,” he said. “Los Angeles has been reduced to a sample-room environment and workmen’s comp issues have really hit the factories hard.”

Eric Everett of Eversew Industrial Sewing Machine Co. in Los Angeles has operated his company for 33 years. He has survived by revamping his business profile. He has expanded his sales territory from Southern California into markets such as Las Vegas, Sacramento and Seattle. He has also added multi-head embroidery equipment to his product base and has found a niche selling sewing equipment from Commerce, Calif.–based Artisan Sewing Supplies, which manufactures equipment in China instead of Japan, where most sewing machines are made. These changes have allowed Everett to appeal to customers looking for better prices.

While Harb and Everett have continued to survive the fallout, others have closed their doors, allowing larger companies to carry on.

“There are fewer people in the business, so that’s partly how we can survive,” said David Rothstein of U.S. Blindstitch Industrial Sewing Machines, based in North Bergen, N.J. “It’s still a lot about product and service.”

The leading manufacturers have also responded to the downturn in business. Companies such as Brother Ltd. of Japan have been dissolving operations in Europe and other regions while building factories in low-cost-of-labor countries such as China. Most industry leaders are setting their sights on China.

Meanwhile, product development continues to advance.

At the recent IMB equipment show in Germany, manufacturers focused on speed and quality. Pegasus introduced 26 new machines, including the W1500 series, which features two- and three-needle flatbed interlock- stitch machines. These can sew up to speeds of 6,000 rpm and do not require special threads.

Juki’s newest product is its LBH-1790S computer-controlled, high-speed lock-stitch buttonholing machine, which can operate at 4,200 rpm and features a thread-trimming mechanism that eliminates thread-nipping work and allows operators to set or change sewing data while observing graphic indications on the panel. The machine also comes with direct-drive technology, which features a motor on the shaft of the machine, and dryhead technology, which requires no lubrication and eliminates oil stains.

While the Japanese continue to lead advancements, European manufacturers have also been making headway. Italian company Meca has developed the EcoStrass quilting machine, which automates the process of applying materials such as sequins to fabrics including tulle, denim, chif fon, organza and crepe for special effects.

“The machines have gotten better,” said Everett. “We just have to find more people to use them.”