A sliver from the SINGER history
Singer is the brainchild of American engineer, Isaac Merritt Singer. He developed the first commercially successful sewing machine in 1851. His invention revolutionized an industry which had previously employed women working in “Sweatshop” conditions to hand sew garments and household fabrics. Singer contributed to the sewing machine trade with important technological advancements and also with the development of a marketing system capable of selling sewing machines around the world. The Singer sewing machine company was the largest provider of sewing machines in the United States and overseas until 1950 and transformed sewing work in households, garment shops and factories across the globe. Singer’s unique hire purchase system enabled the company to increase its market share globally.
SINGER operations in Sri Lanka
The Singer operation in Sri Lanka commenced in 1877. From sewing machines the product portfolio has expanded to a wide range of consumer durables . The company has been listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange since 1981 and expanded its operations to financial services by incorporating Singer Finance (Lanka) PLC in 2004. In 2017, the Sri Lankan conglomerate, Hayleys acquired the majority of shares. Singer continues to dominate the Sri Lankan consumer durables market in retail and wholesale operations with an extensive island-wide network.
The Association of Past Employees of SINGER
The Association of Past Employees of Singer was inaugurated to continue and foster the cordial relationship the members had during their stay at Singer. The main objective of the association is to offer members assistance in times of need, to propagate the Singer image while keeping to the set of company norms, and to organize social and cultural events to help the less fortunate people of Sri Lanka as deemed proper by the Executive Committee.