Fleming Bindery Bought By Control Engineering-This Day in Norwood History-May 18, 1954

First Of 3 Divisions Of Press Sold

This Day in Norwood History – Control Engineering Corp. Purchases Former Norwood Press Bindery, Launches “Norwood Controls” Division

A major step in Norwood’s industrial evolution was announced today as the Norwood Industrial Development Committee confirmed the purchase of one of the former Norwood Press buildings by Control Engineering Corporation. The structure, long known as the C. B. Fleming Company Bindery, will soon house a new Controls Division dedicated to manufacturing a line of industrial control instruments under the trade name “Norwood Controls.”

The acquisition marks a significant milestone in Control Engineering’s ongoing diversification program. After six years specializing in the design and manufacture of precision instruments and control systems, the company is now expanding into the rapidly growing process‑industry control instrument market.

A New Division, A New Product Line

William A. Jones, President of Control Engineering Corporation, announced the appointment of D. R. G. Williams as manager of the newly formed Controls Division.

Williams brings extensive experience from:

• Arma Corporation, Garden City, NY
• Bohr Manning Corporation, Troy, NY
• Foxboro Company, Foxboro, MA

The new division will occupy the Fleming Bindery building and will focus on producing industrial‑type instruments marketed as Norwood Controls.

A New Chapter for the Norwood Press Complex

Today’s announcement is the first concrete indication of how the once‑famous Norwood Press complex may be repurposed for modern industry. For decades, the Press produced books that carried Norwood’s name around the world. But in recent years, the three divisions—Fleming Bindery, Berwick & Smith, and J. S. Cushing Co.—have fallen silent.

• The Fleming Bindery and Berwick & Smith units closed about two years ago.
• Machinery once operated by hundreds of Norwood craftsmen was auctioned off.
• The buildings have since stood largely unused, serving only as dead storage.
• The J. S. Cushing Co. was the last to cease operations.

Now, with Control Engineering’s purchase of the Fleming building, there is renewed optimism that the remaining Berwick & Smith and J. S. Cushing plants may soon attract buyers. Reports indicate substantial inquiries have been received.

A 51,000‑Square‑Foot Investment in Norwood’s Future

Control Engineering, which relocated from Canton and currently occupies a modern plant on Route 1 at the Norwood Airport entrance, has acquired 51,000 square feet of space in the outright purchase of the former bindery.

The Fleming plant—a three‑story structure at the southerly end of the Press complex—is the largest of the three units and offers ample room for the company’s expanding operations.

Exactly when the new division will begin production, or how many employees will be hired, has not yet been determined.

Potential Expansion Onto Town‑Owned Land

It is understood that Control Engineering may also have use for adjacent town‑owned land, currently used for utility‑pole storage. Should the company request it, Town Meeting would need to authorize the sale of this parcel.

Such a move would further cement the company’s presence in Norwood and strengthen the town’s industrial base.

A Turning Point for a Landmark Site

The transformation of the old Norwood Press buildings into a modern manufacturing hub represents both an economic revival and a symbolic shift. A site once known for craftsmanship in printing may soon be known for innovation in industrial controls.

For Norwood, the arrival of Norwood Controls signals not just a new tenant—but a new era.

Norwood Free Press