Charlie Merrow

Charles Griswold Merrow (born November 11, 1976 is an entrepreneur who is now the Chief Executive Officer of the Merrow Sewing Machine Company. He is the great grandson of Lane Bryant and great-great-grand-nephew of Joseph M. Merrow, who was the inventor of the overlock sewing machine.
In June 2004, Charlie Merrow organized a buyout of the Merrow Machine Company and reestablished it in Fall River, Massachusetts, combining the Merrow manufacturing facility with the Merrow Sales Corporation. Charlie currently oversees the strategic development, sales and marketing aspects of Merrow while providing long-term direction and vision for the company.
Early life
Merrow was born in New York and lived in Croton-on-Hudson before his family moved to Marion, Massachusetts.
Career
Buyout of Merrow
After developing an agreement with the shareholders of the Merrow Machine Company in June 2004, Merrow took ownership of substantially all of the assets of the Merrow Machine Company, and quickly relocated the company to Massachusetts. Merrow restructured the company and continues to build several lines of overlock sewing machines.
In 2007 Merrow introduced a marketing strategy based on a series of microsites that allowed the company to quickly and inexpensively release market specific information about the Merrow product line.
In 2008 Mr. Merrow developed and released a suite of web based tools for Merrow customers, including a social networking site name merrowing.com, application to stich matching tools and Merrow stitched apparel. He has discussed publicly the plan for Merrow to increase the rate that it introduces technology to the sewing machine markets.
Since 2008 Merrow has traveled extensively throughout the world blogging regularly about his experiences and commenting on the textile industry.
Activeseam
In 2012 Merrow developed and released Activeseam, a new branded stitch from the Merrow Sewing Machine Co. The Activeseam stitch introduced technical advantages and aesthetic differentiation with a flat seam, and was targeted at brands who desired to build and market technically superior products. The new stitch, twice as strong as flatlock, and less expensive to manufacture, caught the attention of several major brands including Musto and Kuhl, who have used it in their marketing campaigns.
WoolPRO
In 2015 Merrow introduced a Merino Wool apparel line branded WoolPRO. Designed, developed and produced by Merrow, the new Merino wool company launched with new lightweight Merino knits and a new Activeseam stitch. Positioned as a technical lifestyle brand, WoolPRO is sold directly and through a resale channel that includes several national chains including .
Other Start Ups
Between 2009 and 2013 Merrow launched the Hyde Store, Sewcat, Boston Thread and in 2016 introduced the Salt Works.
Education
Previously Charlie had graduated from DePauw University, Tabor Academy and Cheltenham College in the UK.

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