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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Eyeware Producer Lowercase Opens Manufacturing Center In Brooklyn, New York

04/20/2017
Lowercase, an eyewear company that utilizes twenty-first century manufacturing techniques, such as robotics, will be the first advanced manufacturing startup to operate out of the Brooklyn Army Terminal in New York, New York.

In October 2016, New York City Economic Development Corporation announced plans to open a new advanced manufacturing center at the Brooklyn Army Terminal, which will support over 200 business and create over 500 jobs.

“The Brooklyn Army Terminal is a burgeoning center for 21st-century industries,” said NYCEDC President & CEO James Patchett. “Lowercase’s tenancy marks the beginning of a new kind of opportunity at the Brooklyn Army Terminal, advanced manufacturing, which leverages technology and creativity to rejuvenate New York City’s industrial spirit. We welcome advanced manufacturing companies of all sizes to join us in Sunset Park as we grow new segments of our economy and further the de Blasio Administration’s efforts to create 100,000 quality jobs over the next ten years.”

Lowercase designs and manufactures all of its products under one roof at the Brooklyn Army Terminal. Using a mix of high-tech manufacturing techniques such as robotics and CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machining, the company converts raw material into glasses and sunglasses through its innovative thirty-step process, city officials explained. Dedicated to bringing eyewear manufacturing back to the United States, Lowercase recently received its Made in NY: Fashion mark, New York City’s designation for fashion companies that are committed to local production.

"The Brooklyn Army Terminal has a unique set of infrastructure that allows us to produce in NYC,” said Gerard Masci, Co-founder of Lowercase.

“We're combining the newest manufacturing technologies with traditional craft to create a new model for small batch domestic production,” said Brian Vallario, Co-founder of Lowercase.

“Brooklyn Army Terminal is a burgeoning start-up destination and I’m glad to see that Lowercase has joined the ranks of companies based there,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams. “The robotics-driven and high-tech approach to the company’s eyewear manufacturing will further enhance Sunset Park’s status as a hub for innovation. Lowercase and other similar start-ups are creating good-paying jobs, investing resources into the borough’s economy, and employing local workers, all of which benefit Brooklynites. It is incredible to see ‘Made in NYC’ products manufactured right here in Brooklyn. As experts in eyewear, their vision is stronger than 20/20 for seeing the immense possibilities of setting up shop in Brooklyn, and I hope other companies follow their lead.”

NYCEDC sees advanced manufacturing as a high-growth industry with the potential to be a major job creator in New York City. With renovated flexible and affordable industrial spaces, the Brooklyn Army Terminal is well-positioned to be a hub for advanced manufacturing companies of all sizes. City officials said.

Mayor de Blasio has committed $115 million in capital funding to continue growing the Brooklyn Army Terminal as a modern industrial campus in Sunset Park. The Brooklyn Army Terminal currently has over three million square feet of industrial space, and over 500,000 square feet of new industrial space will open by the end of the year.

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