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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;janettekay, post: 2307322, member: 110&quot;]<font size="6"><b>For 125 Years, a Big Industry That Produces Delicate Lace</b></font></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>By <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/steve-strunsky" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/steve-strunsky" rel="nofollow">Steve Strunsky</a></p><p><br /></p><ul> <li>Aug. 31, 1997</li> </ul><p>Commuters en route to the Lincoln Tunnel may have noticed a banner stretched across an overpass in Union City: &#039;&#039;Welcome to Northern New Jersey, Embroidery Capital of the World Since 1872.&#039;&#039; But 125 years after the first hand-embroidery shops opened across the Hudson from Manhattan&#039;s garment industry and a century since the arrival of embroidery machines, foreign competition has weakened the $300 million industry. In the last 15 years, 20 percent of its business has been lost, as have many jobs that traditionally employed the area&#039;s Swiss, German, Hispanic and Indian immigrants. Computer automation of the massive embroidery machines that turn out meticulously delicate patterns has improved efficiency for those who can afford it. But many of the industry&#039;s 400 mostly family-run businesses cannot.</p><p><br /></p><p>Bruce Altman, 55, of Fort Lee founded A Touch of Lace in Union City 25 years ago and is a member of the Schiffli Lace and Embroidery Manufacturers Association, the trade group that hung the banners on Aug 22. Ignacio Camacho, 54, of West New York, a native of Havana, is Mr. Altman&#039;s foreman and a member of Local 211T of the Schiffli Embroidery Workers Welfare Fund. Mr. Altman and Mr. Camacho talked about their industry.</p><p><br /></p><p>Q. Why northern New Jersey?</p><p><br /></p><p>A. ALTMAN The reason why it&#039;s here is because of the bedrock on the Palisades. If you look at the machines, they vibrate an awful lot. The machines weigh about five tons, eight tons, so you&#039;ll see each machine is cemented in this huge foundation so the vibration stays within the area. It doesn&#039;t travel.</p><p><br /></p><p>Q. What does schiffli mean?</p><p><br /></p><p>A. ALTMAN Schiffli means little boat in German. Schiffli is the shuttle; it looks like a little boat. And behind every needle there&#039;s a shuttle, and a bobbin with yarn goes in the shuttle, like a sewing machine.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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