Mayor James J. Fiorentini > Press Release

July 11, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Retail Brand Alliance Relocating to Haverhill with over 200 Manufacturing Jobs;
Brooks Brothers Suits to be Made in City

HAVERHILL- Mayor James J. Fiorentini announced that Retail Brand Alliance, which makes the famous Brooks Brothers suits and clothing, would be moving its manufacturing operations to Haverhill.  Retail Brand Alliance has recently acquired the former Southwick Clothing Company in Lawrence and will be relocating these current and additional employees to 20 Computer Drive next to Magellan Aerospace.  This is part of the industrial park off Route 97.

“Landing Retail Brand Alliance and their jobs is a major coup for the City,” proclaimed the Mayor.  “I have been working on this personally, as has Economic Development and Planning Director Bill Pillsbury, for the past several months.  We have met numerous times with officials from both Southwick and then Retail Brand Alliance,” noted the Mayor.

“Recruiting this company took a tremendous team effort along with a number of economic incentives working with the State and City to persuade these clothiers, who have a great local tradition, to maintain their manufacturing facilities here in the United States rather than move overseas,” state the Mayor.

Southwick Clothing was started as Grieco Brothers by two Italian immigrants who started in Brooklyn and then relocated to mills in Lawrence.  Grieco Brothers was acquired by Southwick some time ago.  Now part of Retail Brands Alliance, the operation will be a part of the renowned Brooks Brothers line.

“I wish to thank some people who really stood out on this issue, notably Governor Patrick and Lieutenant Governor Murray, Greg Bialecki, the Governor’s Undersecretary for Business Development, and Peter Milano from the Massachusetts Office of Business Development.  Greg and Peter traveled repeatedly to Haverhill to meet with us about this,” listed the Mayor.

“Most of all, from my administration, our own Bill Pillsbury worked tirelessly with these State officials to put together a series of economic incentives to persuade this great American company to remain in America.  Retail Brand Alliance and the Southwick employees wanted to be here in Haverhill, and working together, we got it done!”