History of the Pfaff Sewing Machine Company
Les Walsh
ISMACS News
Issue 109
Eleven years after Isaac Singer began producing sewing machines in the USA, a young German instrument maker named Georg Michael Pfaff made his first sewing machine. Although not the earliest of German sewing machine makers – Pfaff was preceded by Clemens Müller of Dresden, in 1855 – he proved to be a master craftsman, and a far–sighted businessman.
Just 10 years after establishing his sewing machine factory in Kaiserslautern, Pfaff was producing a thousand sewing machines a year, with 30 employees. The GM Pfaff company became a family affair, with sons Jacob and Georg, and daughter Lina taking part in the running of the expanding company.
Over the years, Pfaff introduced many innovative employee support initiatives: a company sickness benefits scheme, a fund for the surviving dependants of deceased workers and a housing estate for workers that provided low cost accommodation. All these features made for contented, hard–working and loyal employees, and the efficient production of high quality reliable sewing machines.
Like Singer, the Pfaff company introduced extensive advertising to promote their product. A sales organization was formed; first consisting of travelling salesmen and, later, exclusive agencies. In 1885, a Pfaff sewing machine shop was opened in London.
The Pfaff factory was continually extended and modernised and, by 1890, 400 workers were employed on a regular basis. From 1898, Pfaff was producing household, artisan and light industrial machines driven by electric motors. In 1902, the 50th year of production (right), Pfaff was exporting to 64 different countries and, by 1908, specialized industrial machines were being made.
In 1910, the millionth sewing machine was produced, and a thousand workers employed.
Over the years, the Pfaff Sewing Machine Company expanded, absorbed other companies, improved its factories, and designed and developed unique sewing systems still in use today.
1862–2012
PFAFF CELEBRATES 150 YEARS
Few companies from the dawn of sewing machine manufacture remain. Singer is still in production, albeit under a considerably changed corporate situation and, likewise, Pfaff – the last of the German makers – is also still in production.
The Pfaff company began in 1862 and, in 1912, the 50th anniversary was marked by the release of commemorative postage stamps. The 100th anniversary in 1962 was marked by the production of a gold Pfaff (above), which was displayed in its dealerships around the world.
The 150th year is being celebrated with the introduction of two “anniversary model” Pfaff sewing machines, and the promise that even after 150 years of unparalleled sewing history – the best is yet to come!
So let us ISMACS members help celebrate this great achievement – 150 years of quality engineering, worldwide marketing and millions of happy customers who love their Pfaff!
(LW)
