Nicholas and Vito Grieco experimented with mass production techniques in their first factory at 181 Canal Street. They continued to maintain their high standards of craftsmanship, even as they trained their workers for assembly line activities. The end product was a collection of ready-to-wear men's clothing characterized by the unique quality of custom tailoring.
This mass production process did not reduce the skill and precision involved. The manufacturing of a Southwick coat still requires as many as 141 operations before the item is completed!
The Grieco Bros. signature line, the Southwick suit, was developed in 1945 and made in the tradition of the British “sack suit.” The sack suit had soft, natural shoulder tailoring and was marketed nationwide through exclusive specialty retailers. Initially, only one retailer per city was chosen. Kaps in Lawrence and the Andover Shop in Andover were among those locally selling the Southwick label.
Contracts for military uniforms kept Grieco Bros. production active in the difficult economic times of war; Southwick continues to make dress blues for the US Navy.