In 1851, with a borrowed capital of only  $40, Isaac Merritt Singer set up a company to manufacture and sell a revolutionary product – a machine to automate and assist in the making of clothing. Little did he realize that the newly formed I. M. Singer and Company was destined to become the world leader in the manufacturing and distribution of sewing related products and that the Singer brand name would one day become famous around the world.

As a youth, I. M. Singer, a native of Troy, New York, had an exceptional aptitude for mechanical things. Born in 1811, he spent his early adulthood as an actor. At the age of 38, he settled in New York City and devoted his time to become an inventor. His fascination with early attempts at automating the sewing process grew and by 1853, the first Singer machines, manufactured in a New York City factory, were selling for $100. Two years later, with a first prize at the World’s Fair in Paris, Singer originated the “hire-purchase” plan to increase sales, the first company ever to do so. This plan was to have almost as much influence as the brand name itself. Today, over half of Singer’s sales in developing countries uses this method of payment to generate sales and additional income.

Ten years later, the newly incorporated Singer Manufacturing Company held 22 patents, with annual sales of 20,000 machines. In 1867, Singer opened its first sewing machine factory outside of United States in Glasgow, Scotland. By 1880, world sales exceeded 500,000. Additional factories were established in the United States and within no time, one of the best known emblems – the Red “S” Girl trademark – became familiar worldwide.

By turn of the century, many exciting developments had taken place within Singer Manufacturing Company. In 1885, Singer introduced the first electric sewing machine. By 1890, the company claimed an 80 percent worldwide market share, with sales heading towards 1,350,000 machines. In 1904, a separate subsidiary, the Singer Sewing Machine Company, was established to handle sales and distribution in the Western Hemisphere and beyond. At this point, Singer’s rich heritage had become firmly established around the world. Singer Thailand provides an early example of this heritage. In 1863, the governess to the King of Siam presented a sewing machine to the King, heralding Singer’s presence in Thailand. This example was repeated in other parts of the world over time.

In 1908, the Singer Building at 149 Broadway in New York was inaugurated. The 47 stories building, which was the tallest in the world at the time, remained Singer’s corporate headquarters for the next 54 years.

Singer soon moved into the manufacturing of industrial sewing machines, and in 1975, introduced its first electronic sewing machine. Singer’s manufacturing facilities are now strategically located around the world with major facilities in Brazil, India and China.

In 1960 Singer Corporation brought a change in the business philosophy of the company. After dedicating more than a hundred years to manufacturing and marketing one single product – the sewing machine -- Singer began diversification of its product range. It acquired Packard Bell Electronics in 1966 and General Precision Equipment Corporation in 1968.

Singer's manufacturing base of electronic and electrical products gradually spread in Asia, East Africa, Middle East, Latin and

South America. Today Singer's name is synonymous with household goods across the World.