AO to Start Making Sunglasses in Southbridge, MA

[rbaker]

Bond helps Southbridge sunglasses maker 'reshore' jobs


AO Eyewear, Inc. will renovate its Southbridge manufacturing headquarters and buy new equipment using a $1.5-million tax-exempt bond issued by MassDevelopment.

The company, which makes Original Pilots —aviator sunglasses worn by U.S. military personnel — will purchase an automatic rim-forming machine, an ultrasonic cleaning system, self-contained frame-washing stations, and two automatic frame induction soldering lines. This machinery will assist the company in meeting its goal of moving jobs and production from China and having all of its product made in the U.S., according to MassDevelopment, the state's finance and development agency. The project is expected to create 15 jobs in Southbridge.

Southbridge Savings Bank purchased the bond.

"Bringing manufacturing back to the United States is an important part of AO Eyewear's long-term business model...We are proud to be part of the reshoring initiative and look forward to hiring more people while our business grows," AO Eyewear President Alan McKinley said in a statement.

[waynegilpin]

Good news.

My first optical job was with AO Hartford, CT in 1976.

W

[Craig]

awesome

[chaoticneutral]

thanks for the heads up .... putting my resume in the 108 generator so I can make a spectacle of my self.... bu dum psssst thank yooooooou ill be here all week

[rbaker]

Good news.

My first optical job was with AO Hartford, CT in 1976.

W

My first real paycheck was from AO in Southbridge in 1956. Holy crap! 1956. That was 56 years ago.

[Judy Canty]

My first real paycheck was from AO in Southbridge in 1956. Holy crap! 1956. That was 56 years ago.

mmm...58?

[uncut]

mmm...58?

How long did they" hold back" the first paycheque, way back then?

[Chris Ryser]

How long did they" hold back" the first paycheque, way back then?

I was in Southbridge a couple of times and it was a smooth running place and I don't think they were late with paychecks.

[rbaker]

How long did they" hold back" the first paycheque, way back then?

As I recall, and bear in mind it was 58 years ago (thanks Judy) you were paid on the following Friday. The paymasters pushed a cart throughout the various plants with your wages in cash in a small manila envelope. He was accompanied by a guard with a gun. I worked at the airport and had to come in to the paymasters cage to pick up my pay. If my demented memory serves me I was paid the princely sum of $1.10 an hour which was well above the minimum wage at the time. Not bad for a part timer.

You are correct, Chris. AO was a good place to work and at that time they were the largest employer in Massachusetts. Most employees worked their entire careers at "The AO" and were rewarded by a good standard of living.

[Jacqui]

It's good to hear that they are moving back to the US

I started at AO in '68 at the Sioux City, Iowa branch, then went to Southbridge to make telescope mirrors, then back to the Midwest region to help install new lab equipment at the branch labs (think Selectronic generators).

[drk]

Hey, maybe we can support their effort as customers.

[waynegilpin]

It's good to hear that they are moving back to the US

I started at AO in '68 at the Sioux City, Iowa branch, then went to Southbridge to make telescope mirrors, then back to the Midwest region to help install new lab equipment at the branch labs (think Selectronic generators).

Was the Selectronic the one about 5ft tall, vacuum chuck, power swing and automatic feed? With that on automatic and running the small GenAll (?) manually, you could grind enough jobs in an hour to keep the fine and polish line busy all morning. Used to tick them off to no end to see all those trays piled up @ 9:30.

[sharpstick777]

My first real paycheck was from AO in Southbridge in 1956. Holy crap! 1956. That was 56 years ago.

Dick, did you ever know Dr. Glancy when you were there?