Merrow Manufacturing Presented with a ‘Heroes of Peace’ Award

 Merrow, est. 1838, is owned and operated by 7th generation family members, Owen and Charlie Merrow. Both have diversified interests in USA-based manufacturing and distribution operations. 

Merrow now has four divisions; Manufacturing, Brand & Product, Medical and Wholesale equipment. Merrow’s strategy is designed around a central thesis championing job creation, workforce training, and manufacturing.

Headquarters are located on 6 acres with a 300,000 sq. foot facility in downtown Fall River, MA. The company is an integral part of the community and works closely with public and private organizations regionally. Merrow’s production is located proximate to the markets supplied, creating regional jobs and investment. The company attributes some of its great success to the culture that has been created within the company, a culture that goes beyond its high standards of production and is seen throughout the community.

The Merrow family believes, “To build remarkable products, as diverse as we do, it takes remarkable engineers, project managers, mechanics, logisticians, stitchers, quality specialists, and designers. The range of experiences and level of expertise at Merrow is extraordinary.”

According to Charlie Merrow, “Our history guides us, but it’s what the people of Merrow do every day that defines us. Merrow Manufacturing will continue to design, engineer, and manufacture the most remarkable products built in the USA.”

Having such a strong philosophy of company culture and community responsibility within the company is how Charlie Merrow found himself being awarded the Heroes of Peace Award. This award is given out each year on World Peace Day by the Mayor of Fall River. 

This year’s Heroes of Peace Awards recognized a group of community members who have been instrumental in helping the community recover from the devastating pandemic and doing so in a manner that promotes peace and social justice.

Charlie Merrow created the Home Project, putting aside the space in his business for a free store in order to help those in need. The building also hosts other initiatives, including the new Fall River Museum of Contemporary Art, rooms for a business incubator, new regional nonprofits, and the Fabric Festival.

Merrow partners with Texprocess Americas 2023 to Feature First-of-Its-Kind Show Floor Training Program

Texprocess Americas 2023 to Feature First-of-Its-Kind Show Floor Training Program 

The training program, coined “Training Takes Time,” will serve as the launchpad for a strategic, long-term initiative designed to promote quality training regimens that start in the U.S. and have the potential to expand to other markets across the Americas. 
 
ATLANTA, GA – The Sewn Products Equipment & Suppliers of the Americas (SPESA) today announced plans for an entirely new, first-of-its-kind show floor training program that will launch at the upcoming Texprocess Americas, May 10-12, 2023, in Atlanta.
 
In addition to training offered on the show floor, Texprocess Americas attendees will be granted an extraordinary opportunity to register for free enrollment in twelve scheduled training programs that will take place in Boston, Miami, and Los Angeles throughout 2023 and 2024. The training sessions, which will span two days, are tailored for mechanics, operators, and facility managers. After the Atlanta exhibition, seats for the training will be priced at $1,800 each.
 
Brought to life by SPESA members Merrow Sewing Machine Company (of the Merrow Group Companies) and the Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center (ISAIC), the show floor training program at Texprocess Americas will demonstrate replicable and scalable teaching methods for machine repair/maintenance and use that to address the growing need for skilled workers in the sewn products industry. In addition to hands-on demonstrations, the training will utilize augmented reality tools to illustrate how these training methods can help scale the industry and support growth in the Americas.
 
“Using augmented reality tools, experienced technicians can virtually impart knowledge on less experienced employees and incoming trainees,” said Alex Stchekine, Research & Innovation Manager at ISAIC. “Technicians and instructors no longer have to be in the same room to share information, which is especially helpful for people who need to learn on the job over a longer period of time.” Stchekine continues by saying, “Augmented reality technology is capable of merging two real-time video streams to demonstrate how to solve issues and teach competencies, saving time and money dispensed to travel from one facility to another.”
 
The Merrow Group Companies and ISAIC are two key players at the forefront of workforce development initiatives for the sewn products industry. Through different educational programs and partnerships, both organizations are committed to revolutionizing manufacturing processes, with a people-centric approach that hones on domestic career development, sustainability, advancing manufacturing technologies, and economic growth — locally, regionally, and globally.
 
“There has been a massive push to bring the production of soft goods back to the Americas,” said Charlie Merrow, CEO of The Merrow Group Companies. “Training people here in the U.S. is how we support the reshoring movement. Not only are you providing people with the necessary skills and knowledge needed to find jobs, but you are also investing in your community and contributing to a more efficient and sustainable supply chain. Training is one key function to propelling the industry forward in the U.S. and the western hemisphere.”
 
“We have talked and talked about the importance of workforce development for the sewn products industry. Now we are turning words into action,” said Michael McDonald, President of SPESA. “Building and maintaining a strong workforce for the sewn products industry in the U.S. is critical. Having the Career Training & Innovation Center at Texprocess Americas this year will allow us to equip the next generation of mechanics, engineers, and specialists with the tools and resources needed to catapult the industry into its next chapter. I am looking forward to seeing Texprocess Americas serve as a backdrop to a larger industry movement here in the U.S.”
 
In addition to the Career Training & Innovation Center, the 2023 edition of Texprocess Americas will also feature for the first time a Tech & Start-Up Zone. This dedicated space will highlight companies with innovative technologies, ideas, practical solutions, processes, and products that are revolutionary to the global sewn products industry.
 
“The industry is rapidly evolving, and we’re excited for attendees and exhibitors of Texprocess Americas to have a front row seat to the action,” said Kristy Meade, Vice President of Technical Textiles & Technology Shows for Messe Frankfurt North America. “Our team is dedicated to ensuring that this year’s show offers meaningful exhibitor and attendee experiences through a host of new show features. We continue to track new trends, technologies, and developments across the industry and bring them to the forefront through comprehensive education and programs.”
 
Click here to learn more about the upcoming Texprocess Americas. Click here to learn more about the new show floor additions at Texprocess Americas. 
 
A schedule for upcoming Training Takes Time programs in 2023 and 2024 will be made available soon. Equipment suppliers and manufacturers interested in joining the initiative can reach out to the SPESA team for more information.