History
First Sewing Machines Made In Africa
FROM THE RHODESIA RECORDER — JULY 1956
The first sewing machine to be manufactured in Africa — the Berbro – is now being produced in Bulawayo by the Berzack Bros. (Rhodesia) at the rate of 340 units a month. The factory recently came into full production after six years of continuous and painstaking experiments in perfecting the prototype.
The machine, a domestic long shuttle class 128 hand model, is eminently suited to the African market but is also being bought by Europeans.
In their Khami Road factory, Berzack Bros. handles the complete casting of the head, machining, spray-painting and baking, and the entire assembly of the machines. Certain of the components are also manufactured, others being imported from various overseas sources.
Before being finally fitted into their attractively finished mahogany cases, the machines are thoroughly run-in, tested, and sewed off. The factory holds spares and has service facilities.
The price of the Berbro is claimed to be competitive with imported machines.
In an interview with the Rhodesian Recorder, Mr. Harris “Harry” Berzack, managing director of the firm, said that they were at present working on patterns for a round shuttle domestic machine that could be operated either by hand, treadle, or electrically. He expected that this machine would be in production in about five months and that initially, they would be turning out about 50 units a week.
Mr. Berzack is the youngest of five brothers, all of whom are associated with the sewing machine trade, the other four being established in the well-known Union firm Berzack Bros. Ltd. which was founded in 1931.
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Berbro long shuttle class 128 hand model sewing machine by Berzack Bros.
Berzack Bros. (Rhodesia) a separate Rhodesian company was established in Bulawayo in 1945, to handle the sale of industrial and domestic sewing machines of various makes. A large number of the machines being used in the city’s clothing factories were supplied by them.
A new firm, Rhodesian Metal Products (Pvt.) Ltd., incorporating Chad’s Engineering Works (Pvt.) Ltd. has been formed to handle the manufacture of the Berbro machines. Mr. A. Chad, a director of the new firm is the factory manager.
Berzack Bros. (Rhodesia) also holds the franchise for the federation for a number of American machines for the clothing industry and laundry trade. Amongst these are Union Special (industrial), the Reece button-hole machine, Eastman cutting Machine, Lewis blind-stitch machine, New York pressing machine, C.R.A. laying up and cleaning machine, Butler dry-cleaning machinery, and Troy laundry machines.
Trade enquiries should be made to Berzack Bros. (Rhodesia) 16, 14th Avenue, Bulawayo, Rhodesia.
A new firm, Rhodesian Metal Products (Pvt.) Ltd., incorporating Chad’s Engineering Works (Pvt.) Ltd. has been formed to handle the manufacture of the Berbro machines. Mr. A. Chad, a director of the new firm is the factory manager.
Berzack Bros. (Rhodesia) also holds the franchise for the federation for a number of American machines for the clothing industry and laundry trade. Amongst these are Union Special (industrial), the Reece button-hole machine, Eastman cutting Machine, Lewis blind-stitch machine, New York pressing machine, C.R.A. laying up and cleaning machine, Butler dry-cleaning machinery, and Troy laundry machines.
Trade enquiries should be made to Berzack Bros. (Rhodesia) 16, 14th Avenue, Bulawayo, Rhodesia.
