The First Conglomerate: 145 Years of the Singer Sewing Machine

The First Conglomerate: 145 Years of the Singer Sewing Machine Company

The Singer Sewing Machine Company, the greatest of all home appliance manufacturers, came alive in the hands of a womanizing polygamist, Isaac Merritt Singer. Besides inventing the first practical sewing machine, I. M. Singer was also an eccentric, dissolute, profane, abusive and emotionally-weak philanderer. He maintained lightly-cloaked, polygamous arrangements with at least three young women. Other reports contend he managed five young wives at one time, supported six more mistresses, squired the dayâ€™s celebrated actresses around town and frequented prostitutes as well. Singerâ€™s sewing machine company rose nearly overnight into the most cash-rich international company on earth. For more than 140 years a succession of enlightened corporate leaders kept this great multinational company one step ahead of its many competitors. In recent years this resourceful corporation carefully restructured itself in anticipation of the coming Information Age. By the 1970s the company had emerged as a major space age contractor and preeminent business equipment maker. However, company control suddenly fell into the hands of avaricious profiteers. Their profit taking caused a needless downsizing that set the stage for a hostile takeover. Finally, an undercapitalized corporate raider, ran this once powerful and model corporation to waste. Such is the riveting true life business saga of the Singer Sewing Machine Company.

â€œ...excellent history which not only covers Singerâ€™s evolution, but places its growth and events within the context of its economic and social surroundings.â€ â€“ The Bookwatch, Midwest Book Review. â€œIn this comprehensive, extensively researched history he profiles the Singer Companyâ€™s succession of presidents and describes how the company developed marketing and sales strategies, spurred a new, technically-grounded workforce, became a top multinational, diversified as a space age defense contractor by the 1970s and began a subsequent decline.â€ â€“ Reference and Research Book News.

â€œ...the definite book on this subject.â€ â€“ The Small Press Book Review
Country USA
Binding Kindle Edition
ReleaseDate 2010-08-02
Format Kindle eBook

Country	USA
Binding	Kindle Edition
ReleaseDate	2010-08-02
Format	Kindle eBook

The First Conglomerate: 145 Years of the Singer Sewing Machine Company

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