BUSINESS: Suppliers Modo: Brooklyn Made, Brooklyn Strong By Gwendolyn Plummer Tuesday, October 27, 2020 12:26 AM RELATED CONTENT Made in USA ArtCraft Optical: Local Heritage, 100 Years in the Making Hilco Vision: Keeping Americans Safe Lowercase: New York at the Center State and the ‘New’ American Optical: American Value Thema: Italian Know How, American Spirit When Modo was founded in 1990 in New York City, making frames in the U.S. just wasn’t common practice. Being American made remained a dream for the team at Modo—one which was actualized in 2016, when Modo opened its M Factory in Brooklyn. Now, Modo Brooklyn Made is one of the brand’s most popular collections. Rebecca Giefer, CEO, Americas for Modo said, “Since March, the various aspects of the organization have all faced surreal challenges. But as an independent company, we were able to execute a pivot to deliver PPE to our customers and help them reopen and stay open. Our organization is made up of incredibly hard workers that adapted month after month whether it’s at the factory level or our Soho-based office team. “I know it’s a luxury to be able to invest in innovation, products and people during these times, but we are doing so, with much gratitude. 2021 is just around the corner and we have some momentum,” she said. Modo’s Brian Dombrowski, director of ECP sales and marketing told VM, “Made in USA marked a new chapter in Modo’s story and continues to set us apart from other lines.” Modo’s other models are made in Japan, and the company’s Brooklyn factory is held to the same levels of detail and craftsmanship as their counterpart on the other side of the planet. When it comes to how customers approach the Made in USA story, Dombrowski thinks the label sets American-made frames apart, especially right now. He explained, “There is some serendipitous timing, as overall customers want products that are made in the U.S.—from large purchases such as cars down to eyewear, apparel and footwear. They know that their pair of glasses is not just another frame made abroad and take pride in being able to tell that story.” Despite COVID-19 shutting down most of New York City for months, the team at Modo has been working harder than ever, now producing PPE and working from home where possible. Modo both donated PPE to hospitals and schools in the tristate area, and began selling it to ECPs. Dombrowski said, “We wanted to help get offices opened sooner rather than later and as a trusted partner to thousands of ECPs in the U.S., we felt an obligation to be a part of the solution.” Being up and running in the midst of a pandemic is not without its issues, though. He said, “We are obviously having more virtual discussions and presentations as opposed to meeting at trade shows or flying around the country. We have shifted to this new-normal fairly seamlessly and while we miss those in-person reactions, we continue to press on and be there to support our customers.”