My husband worked for Singer Company in the mid 70s. They made electric heating elements. He bought a Touch N Sew machine (back then $400+) before the company moved to NJ and closed operations here in PA. His ex did not sew and could not figure out the machine. We bought it from her in '96 for $35. I still have it, it's a workhorse.
The people that lost their jobs with Singer formed their own company. My husband worked there for many years. That's where I met him. :)
Barbm