Richard R. Wiss of Maplewood yesterday was elected president of J. Wiss & Sons Co., cutlery manufacturers at 33 Littleton Ave., to succeed his father, J. Robert Wiss, who died March 8. The new president is the great-grandson of Jacob Wiss, who established the company in 1848.

Other officers elected are: Executive vice president, Jerome B. Wiss of Maplewood; vice presidents, Norman F. Wiss of Livingston and Burdette E. Bostwick of South Orange; treasurer, Frederick D. Wiss of Short Hills; assistant treasurer, Frederick W. Sinon of New York; secretary, Kenneth B. Wiss of Short Hills, and assistant treasurer, William S. Taylor of Summit.

Two new directors elected are Frederick D. Wiss and Bostwick The company makes shears, scissors, metal cutting snips and garden tools.