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October 28, 2008

Profiles of Manufacturing Hold-outs

Channel 13 just released a online video series about Brooklyn manufacturing businesses that have bucked the trend by sticking it out in the County of Kings while the tides have turned residential. Embedded above is a profile of Greenpoint-based metal fabricator Milgo/Bufkin. You can also see profiles of Angel's Bakery and Embee Sunshade here.

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Comments

Those are three really great videos about these small businesses.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at October 28, 2008 11:27 AM

I agree. There is something about making things that should be appreciated and encouraged. When you hear about the history of these factories, the hard work that has kept them alive, and the classic stories of immigrants coming to NY and making a niche for themselves, it should be inspiring, and we as a city should be doing whatever is possible to make sure they have a chance to stay alive right where they are.

Can you imagine having to move that gigantic metal press to South Carolina or Mexico? Small businesses like this provide jobs, tax revenue and resources to the city. In my profession, I spend a lot of time looking for resources for my clients. There used to be all kinds of small factories here making everything from quilts to acrylic boxes to embroidery. All are now gone, and it's hard to find anyone to make anything in the United States, let alone NYC. This is just wrong.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at October 28, 2008 11:48 AM

Thanks so much for sharing that. Really fantastic.

Posted by: TownhouseLady at October 28, 2008 11:51 AM

Let's all make sure that we buy some Angel's Bakery products the next time we see them in the stores.

I'm also going to make it a point to search out an Embree umbrella for my patio and another for the beach.

Posted by: TownhouseLady at October 28, 2008 11:58 AM

no. why bother. just turn every single one of these factories into high end residential lofts and condos for people to telecommute and surf the internet all day at work (bad i know im doing im a hypocrite i guess). i know jack about economics but what is the reason why so many of those factories shut down? is it because it's cheaper to do it elsewhere (im assuming that is the reason?) or because the products are no longer relevant? sorry if my ignorance shows.

-rob

Posted by: PitbullNYC at October 28, 2008 12:13 PM

Don't assume, watch the video's and see if you still feel that way.

You're right though, we really need more high-end condos. There just aren't any available.

Posted by: TownhouseLady at October 28, 2008 12:22 PM

Mr. B, is there another link to the video? I would like to watch it but it doesn't work here when I hit play.

Posted by: Biff Champion at October 28, 2008 12:40 PM

From Thirteen's Website:

http://www.thirteen.org/category/local/uncertainindustry

Posted by: TownhouseLady at October 28, 2008 12:46 PM

Ahhh, thank you THL (our own resident television historian and video expert extraordinaire).

Posted by: Biff Champion at October 28, 2008 12:50 PM

i definitely plan to watch these later. thanks. love this kind of stuff.

-r

Posted by: PitbullNYC at October 28, 2008 12:53 PM

As someone who was manufacturing in Manhattan as late as 2001, I know exactly how it feels. The umbrella guy's finished and even the workers know it.

On the bright side it's unlikely that there will be many condos built in Brooklyn for the next decade, so that should take some of the pressure of manufacturing real estate.

Posted by: denton at October 28, 2008 2:53 PM

None of the bodegas in Bed Stuy carry black & white cookies. I wish they's turn the bodega next to me into a condo because the one down the street (on someone else's block!!) is better.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at October 28, 2008 3:07 PM

My client is working to accomodate more and more of these speciality manufacturers. Takes a bit of work and not very profitable but imporant and necessary. Chris@iccws.com

Posted by: chrishavens at October 28, 2008 3:56 PM

My client is working to accomodate more and more of these speciality manufacturers. Takes a bit of work and not very profitable but imporant and necessary. Chris@iccws.com

Posted by: chrishavens at October 28, 2008 3:56 PM

Well, i am afraid to speak out on these issuesbecause whenever i say something about the need to keep and promote manufacturing in NYC i get beat down but that's my position and I firmly believe it's important to the health of NYC as well as the rest of the country. we need a much more holkistic view of the economy and how it works- I think the last month has pretty much shown the problem with business as usual.

Posted by: bxgrl at October 28, 2008 6:10 PM

oops- I did mean to spell it "holistic"