On July 16, 1979, the Reliance Electric Company, a major firm specializing in the service and repair of industrial electric motors, announced that it will finalize the relocation of its regional service center to Norwood on September 1, 1979. The company is moving its operations from its current location in South Boston to a new, modern facility located within the Park Place industrial development off Route 1. This expansive 19,000-square-foot site is designed to optimize the company’s regional capabilities, featuring 15,000 square feet specifically dedicated to an electric motor repair area, supplemented by 4,000 square feet of administrative office space. The transition to Norwood is expected to bolster the local workforce, with the company projecting employment for approximately 30 individuals—an increase of five positions over the current staffing levels maintained in South Boston.

The Reliance Electric Company, which maintains its primary corporate headquarters in Ohio, operates an extensive network of service hubs, including 12 additional centers distributed throughout the United States and numerous facilities in industrial centers across the globe. Beyond its specialized repair services, the company offers a robust logistics network, including comprehensive pick-up and delivery services available to industrial clients within a 150-mile radius. Furthermore, the company provides expert field technicians who are available for both emergency repairs and scheduled maintenance directly at customer plants. The move to Park Place reflects the company’s commitment to improving its accessibility and efficiency for clients throughout the New England region, solidifying Norwood’s growing role as a hub for industrial service and specialized technical operations.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger

More Norwood Business History

Norwood Selectmen Vow to Fight Potential Closure of Masoneilan International Plants and Loss of 750 Local Jobs-August 10, 1983

Norwood selectmen vowed to meet with Masoneilan International officials to prevent the potential closure of Massachusetts plants in Norwood, Canton, and Avon, which employ 750 workers.
The Closing of Stop & Shop in Norwood, Massachusetts – July 18, 1983

On a sweltering summer day in July 1983, the residents of Willow-Wood Terrace apartments in Norwood, Massachusetts, received devastating news: their beloved Stop & Shop supermarket was closing its doors on July 30. The announcement sent shockwaves throughout the community, particularly among the elderly tenants who relied heavily on the convenient location and services offered…
Shaw’s Made to End ‘Round-Clock Hours-July 13, 1983

The quaint town of Norwood, nestled in the heart of Massachusetts, was abuzz with controversy on a sweltering summer evening in July 1983. The local selectmen had gathered at their meeting hall to deliberate on a pressing matter that would have far-reaching implications for the community’s residents and businesses alike. At the center of this…
Kline’s Department Store Marks Ten Years in Downtown Norwood-July 11, 1983

Kline’s Department Store Celebrates a Decade in Norwood On July 11, 1983, Kline’s Department Store marked a significant milestone, celebrating ten successful years of operation in downtown Norwood. ⠀ When the 25-store retail chain first moved into the building formerly occupied by the Park Snow store, local observers were initially skeptical. At the time, the…
In Memoriam: Louis Orent, 94, Founder of Orent Brothers Clothing Store-May 15, 1983

Louis Orent, a pioneering figure in New England retail and a beloved member of the Norwood community, passed away Friday in Hollywood, Florida, at the age of 94. Known widely as the “dean of New England retail clothing merchants,” Mr. Orent leaves behind a legacy defined by entrepreneurship, civic leadership, and decades of service to…
Neighbors Demand McDonald’s Shutdown Following Brutal Assault-September 4, 1981

The vicious late-night beating of a local resident by three youths has ignited fierce outrage among homeowners in a residential development off Union Street, prompting an organized neighborhood campaign to demand that selectmen revoke the operating license of the neighboring McDonald’s restaurant located at the corner of Route 1 and Union Street. Arthur Sansone of…
Sidewalk Sale in Norwood-July 24, 1981

Dozens of Downtown Norwood Businesses took part on a sidewalk sale.
Conservation Commission Approves Proposed Auto Body Shop Near Hawes Brook-August 22, 1979

Despite angry protests from South Norwood residents over flooding and pollution risks near Hawes Brook, the Conservation Commission approved strict environmental conditions for a new auto body shop.
Proposed Papa Gino’s to be Dry-August 21, 1979

Facing a neighborhood petition and skeptical selectmen led by Joseph F. Curran and Mary J. Fox, Papa Gino’s application for a beer and wine license on Nahatan Street appears unlikely to pass.
Gertrude’s Pastry Shop Owner Bernie Osborne Wins State Award for Maine Maple Pastry and Cherishes Small-Town Family Business-August 19, 1979

Bernie Osborne, owner of Gertrude’s Pastry Shop in Norwood Center, won top honors at the Massachusetts Retail Bakers Association contest with his signature Maine Maple pastry judged by Julia Child.