HAR-LEE MANUFACTURING PROCESS
Author: Alphonse K. Abdallah
Transcribed by: Constance J. Abdallah
Har-Lee Manufacturing came to Fall River in the early 1930s as a needle industry for women, sewing machine operators.
At its height, it employed over 2,200 people. It occupied five buildings, consisting of a large cutting room, engineering office, pattern makers, and shipping room.
The main office had the engineering office. Above the main room was the pattern department, also the trimming department of which I was the supervisor.
I had 25 girls working for me doing various work to supply five big floors. I had to purchase trimmings such as laces, and the girls made them ready to go to the floors.
The laces came on cardboard in 10-yard pieces. They (the girls) had to piece them together and put them on a roll.
The engineer of the factory would tell me how they (the trimmings) had to be rolled on a spool, so it would be ready for the operator to sew onto the garment.
I had appliqués. I also had a pleating machine. I had girls spread cloth for men to cut 7/8 inch on the bias to make collar binding.
I also had the girls make rope belts for the garment. If plastic belts were needed, I would purchase them from a nearby manufacturer.
It was my responsibility, when a new style garment came into the engineering office, to see what I had to purchase or have my department make, to simplify work for the machine operator and to not fall behind and make them (the operators) wait for work.
The parts department for the machine mechanics was also in my department.
We also had a few large bins for storing different styles of buttons, also bins for storing belts, and other uses.
When the Har-Lee was about to close, the president of the company wanted me to go to South Carolina where they had built a new air-conditioned plant. I refused.