Thank you Cale, that was a really interesting article, I think it explains a lot about why some machines just aren’t the quality they once were. I look forward to part 2 on Bernina. Will you be looking at the primarily Japanese based machines as well?
This article was most interesting. I have owned a Necci and 5 Bernina sewing/quilting/embroidery machines. I stand by Bernina for their quality and service! They are incredible machines!!
None of the businesses you mentioned--Kohlberg & Company, Ares Management, or Platinum Equity--is particularly concerned about making sewing machines and sewing machine companies successful. They are invested in creating money for their investors. Once they've wrung what profits they can from an acquisition, they will sell it to other investors. Eventually, they will have bled whatever they can from a company and that's when it goes into bankruptcy and reorganization---if it can recover.
This was a really interesting article. I look forward to part two. It’s a shame that so many sewing machine companies went out of business. Thank you for this history lesson.
I've owned Bernina machines for over 20 years. I've worked as a sewing machine salesperson. I'm familiar with the best, the good and the cheap machines available. Sadly Bernina is not the Bernina it used to be. After owning the 880+ and the 590+ that only had problems right out of the box and there were many, I would not ever buy a Bernina again. If you are on FB Bernina groups you will learn of the numerous sewers who feel the same. Bernina has become a name like Singer. Out of all the TOL machines, Bernina is behind in technology. I thought I would never own a Husqvarna machine since they were bought out, well after owning poorly made, technology deficient TOL Bernina machines, I traded in my machines for a Husqvarna Epic 2. It runs circles around any Bernina machine, well built and fine precision sewing. 9mm Bernina machines love to eat fabric at the start of stitching. I will say as a former professional long arm quilter who has owned several brands of quilt machines for my business, the best long arm machines are the Bernina Q series.
Fabulous information. I have always wondered why those European sewing machine manufacturers bit the dust, so too speak. They where well made, and the craftsmanship still is superior when compared to those sewing machines made in other countries. Unlike like the Bernina, only when made in Zwitserland, is still the best sewing machine. I have 3 of them.
Ones I bought a Bernina 950 made in Taiwan, but quickly sold it and bought the same machine, however this one was made in Switzerland.
Noticeable difference in quality and craftsmanship. The price reflects the quality.
My moms Phaff industrial sewing machine is still used by me, made in Germany, I love the speed and accuracy of this machine. Will not trade it for an newer one.
Thank you for your enlightening comments about the sewing machine origins. Love your articles about sewing machines.
Fabulous information. I have always wondered why those European sewing machine manufacturers bit the dust, so too speak. They where well made, and the craftsmanship still is superior when compared to those sewing machines made in other countries. Unlike like the Bernina, only when made in Zwitserland, is still the best sewing machine. I have 3 of them.
Ones I bought a Bernina 950 made in Taiwan, but quickly sold it and bought the same machine, however this one was made in Switzerland.
Noticeable difference in quality and craftsmanship. The price reflects the quality.
My moms Phaff industrial sewing machine is still used by me, made in Germany, I love the speed and accuracy of this machine. Will not trade it for an newer one.
Thank you for your enlightening comments about the sewing machine origins. Love your articles about sewing machines.
Fabulous information. I have always wondered why those European sewing machine manufacturers bit the dust, so too speak. They where well made, and the craftsmanship still is superior when compared to those sewing machines made in other countries. Unlike like the Bernina, only when made in Zwitserland, is still the best sewing machine. I have 3 of them.
Ones I bought a Bernina 950 made in Taiwan, but quickly sold it and bought the same machine, however this one was made in Switzerland.
Noticeable difference in quality and craftsmanship. The price reflects the quality.
My moms Phaff industrial sewing machine is still used by me, made in Germany, I love the speed and accuracy of this machine. Will not trade it for an newer one.
Thank you for your enlightening comments about the sewing machine origins. Love your articles about sewing machines.
Very interesting reading. I was a die hard Pfaff person from the years of the 7550 and 7570. That is when the owners of Singer wished to produce a reliable machine for the 3rd world countries. They inturn, so I'm told, bankrupt Pfaff. Pfaff couldn't recover. Viking took over Pfaff and things did improve. I now own a Bernina as well as an Icon. I won't give up the Bernina, however I'm wondering when things will start going wrong with my Pfaff. I learned to sew on a Singer 301.
Fascinating! I still use the Husqvarna machine that your grand-father gave me for my 16th birthday!
Thank you Cale, that was a really interesting article, I think it explains a lot about why some machines just aren’t the quality they once were. I look forward to part 2 on Bernina. Will you be looking at the primarily Japanese based machines as well?
This article was most interesting. I have owned a Necci and 5 Bernina sewing/quilting/embroidery machines. I stand by Bernina for their quality and service! They are incredible machines!!
None of the businesses you mentioned--Kohlberg & Company, Ares Management, or Platinum Equity--is particularly concerned about making sewing machines and sewing machine companies successful. They are invested in creating money for their investors. Once they've wrung what profits they can from an acquisition, they will sell it to other investors. Eventually, they will have bled whatever they can from a company and that's when it goes into bankruptcy and reorganization---if it can recover.
What an interesting read. Explains a lot of the quality changes I've been seeing over the last few decades.
This was a really interesting article. I look forward to part two. It’s a shame that so many sewing machine companies went out of business. Thank you for this history lesson.
Looking forward to part 2. I bought my first Bernina a few years ago and really like it.
I've owned Bernina machines for over 20 years. I've worked as a sewing machine salesperson. I'm familiar with the best, the good and the cheap machines available. Sadly Bernina is not the Bernina it used to be. After owning the 880+ and the 590+ that only had problems right out of the box and there were many, I would not ever buy a Bernina again. If you are on FB Bernina groups you will learn of the numerous sewers who feel the same. Bernina has become a name like Singer. Out of all the TOL machines, Bernina is behind in technology. I thought I would never own a Husqvarna machine since they were bought out, well after owning poorly made, technology deficient TOL Bernina machines, I traded in my machines for a Husqvarna Epic 2. It runs circles around any Bernina machine, well built and fine precision sewing. 9mm Bernina machines love to eat fabric at the start of stitching. I will say as a former professional long arm quilter who has owned several brands of quilt machines for my business, the best long arm machines are the Bernina Q series.
I have 4 Bernina sewing machines they all work beautifully. ( serviced regularly) I do buy Switzerland made only.
I Can tel the difference when they are made in a cheaper place.
Sorry not sure what I did, now it posted my comment 3x.
Fabulous information. I have always wondered why those European sewing machine manufacturers bit the dust, so too speak. They where well made, and the craftsmanship still is superior when compared to those sewing machines made in other countries. Unlike like the Bernina, only when made in Zwitserland, is still the best sewing machine. I have 3 of them.
Ones I bought a Bernina 950 made in Taiwan, but quickly sold it and bought the same machine, however this one was made in Switzerland.
Noticeable difference in quality and craftsmanship. The price reflects the quality.
My moms Phaff industrial sewing machine is still used by me, made in Germany, I love the speed and accuracy of this machine. Will not trade it for an newer one.
Thank you for your enlightening comments about the sewing machine origins. Love your articles about sewing machines.
Fabulous information. I have always wondered why those European sewing machine manufacturers bit the dust, so too speak. They where well made, and the craftsmanship still is superior when compared to those sewing machines made in other countries. Unlike like the Bernina, only when made in Zwitserland, is still the best sewing machine. I have 3 of them.
Ones I bought a Bernina 950 made in Taiwan, but quickly sold it and bought the same machine, however this one was made in Switzerland.
Noticeable difference in quality and craftsmanship. The price reflects the quality.
My moms Phaff industrial sewing machine is still used by me, made in Germany, I love the speed and accuracy of this machine. Will not trade it for an newer one.
Thank you for your enlightening comments about the sewing machine origins. Love your articles about sewing machines.
Fabulous information. I have always wondered why those European sewing machine manufacturers bit the dust, so too speak. They where well made, and the craftsmanship still is superior when compared to those sewing machines made in other countries. Unlike like the Bernina, only when made in Zwitserland, is still the best sewing machine. I have 3 of them.
Ones I bought a Bernina 950 made in Taiwan, but quickly sold it and bought the same machine, however this one was made in Switzerland.
Noticeable difference in quality and craftsmanship. The price reflects the quality.
My moms Phaff industrial sewing machine is still used by me, made in Germany, I love the speed and accuracy of this machine. Will not trade it for an newer one.
Thank you for your enlightening comments about the sewing machine origins. Love your articles about sewing machines.
Really informative!
Thank you for the informative and fascinating article.
Very interesting reading. I was a die hard Pfaff person from the years of the 7550 and 7570. That is when the owners of Singer wished to produce a reliable machine for the 3rd world countries. They inturn, so I'm told, bankrupt Pfaff. Pfaff couldn't recover. Viking took over Pfaff and things did improve. I now own a Bernina as well as an Icon. I won't give up the Bernina, however I'm wondering when things will start going wrong with my Pfaff. I learned to sew on a Singer 301.