The people at B.A. Ballou & Co. on Waterman Avenue in East Providence like
to think of the company as one that blends state-of-the-art technology with old world
skills. As a result, Ballou -- a maker of both fine jewelry and precise industrial
components -- has become one of the most well-respected firms in the jewelry industry.
Founded just after the Civil War by the descendant of an early New England settler, B. A.
Ballou is 128 years old and still growing. The history of the company is one of
progressive accomplishment marked by many notable milestones along the way.
For example, the jewelry industry was once marked by a 66-hour work-week. That was
eventually reduced to 60. B.A. Ballou was the first jewelry manufacturer to shorten the
work week to 48 hours, when 60 hours were still the rule. Later, it took the lead in
abbreviating it to 40 hours.
Ballou has always been known as a good place to work and has attracted employees of
exceptional quality. Today, Ballou employs more than 500 people. Over the years, 16 of its
employees have served the company for 50 or more years.
And throughout the company's long history of product leadership, Ballou has been granted
165 patents for various developments by its employees.
The history of the firm down through the years has been marked by innovation and steady
growth, with many milestones along the way. For example, the company invented the modern
safety catch. When it was first introduced, many customers felt the catch was too radical
a departure from the previous design. But, Ballou salesmen sold industry leaders one by
one on its value, and now it is the standard of the industry.
Today, many firms are starting to look for export markets abroad, but Ballou first began
exporting in 1913 when it entered the Latin-American market.
When John Glenn launched the U.S. space age with his history-making orbit of the Earth,
Ballou was there, too. Glenn carried with him a number of small gold pins engraved
"Mercury orbital Friendship 7." Manufactured by Ballou the pins were oval-shaped
with a gold band like an orbit around the Earth.
Today, it is one of the world's largest manufacturers of jewelry findings, which are the
catches, pins, and clasps found on all jewelry.
To make these products, the company continues to blend old skills and machinery with new
technology. "We've added a lot of computer-controlled sensing equipment and various
other improvements, but essentially it's 50-year-old technology," explains Findings
Plant Manager Sandy Ballou, in showing a visitor around the factory.
In fact, says Sandy Ballou, "A lot of our machines are home grown. They're designed
and built right here. We have two full-time engineers, plus 25 toolmakers and
machinists."
To broaden its line of traditional fine jewelry the company has branched out into its own
line, designed by Caroline Ballou, a graduate of Middlebury College who also received a
master's degree in metalsmithing from the Rhode Island School of Design. Caroline Ballou's
line of jewelry is called "Tribal Traditions" and is based on her extensive
study of African jewelry.
"The design has been designed to reach new segments of the market," says
Caroline. "And, so far, reaction to the new collection has been very positive."
Pride of workmanship continues to play an important role for Ballou's craftsmen as the
company moves robustly through its second century.
Four generations of the Ballou family have kept the Ballou tradition of fine jewelry
alive. Members of the Ballou family began to migrate from their native Devonshire,
England, to America in 1645. The founder of the firm, Barton Allan Ballou (1835-1922), was
the seventh generation of the family in the New World.
One of 13 children in a minister's family, Barton was enterprising and ambitious. He went
into business for himself in 1868, after serving in the Union Army during the Civil War.
He re-opened a small shop on South Main Street in Providence that had been run by his
uncle prior to the war. Two years later he moved the shop to Pine Street and, in 1874, he
leased larger quarters in a new building on Peck Street, where it remains to this day.
Each generation of Ballous has contributed to the company's steady progress and growth.
When Barton Allan Ballou died in 1922, his son, Frederick A., became president of the
firm. Like his father, he led the company to new successes, while contributing actively in
other areas. For instance, he served in the General Assembly and was president of the
Jewelers Board of Trade.
Under his guidance, the firm converted its capacity 95 percent to the war effort during
World War II. The company's all-out efforts produced more than 300 million components
called grip fasteners which were used to affix insignias and service ribbons to uniforms.
It also produced several hundred thousand radar and torpedo components. Because of the
company's efforts to supply all the grip fasteners the country needed, it earned the
coveted Army-Navy E Award.
When Frederick A. Ballou died in 1949, his son, Frederick A., Jr., took over. Today, the
company's chief executive officer is Tod Ballou.
With the company moving through its second century, pride of workmanship still has meaning
for Ballou's craftsmen. Today, as it has in the past, the concept of excellence is still a
meaningful, and often realized, goal.
