3 Maine companies receive Governor's Awards for Business Excellence

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Courtesy / Acme Monaco Corp. Acme Monaco Corp., which makes orthodontic products in Presque Isle, is one of three winners in the 2021 Governor's Awards for Business Excellence.

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By Staff

Located from Presque Isle to South Portland, three Maine businesses are winners of the 2021 Governor’s Awards for Business Excellence.

Gov. Janet Mills and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Heather Johnson last Thursday presented the awards to Acme Monaco Corp., Ware-Butler Building Supply and ReVision Energy.

The state has given the awards annually since 1991 to recognize businesses with “a high level of commitment to their community and employees, as well as exemplary performance in the manufacturing or service profession.”

Acme Monaco Corp. received the Governor’s Heritage Industry Award. The company, which dates to 1947, is a manufacturer of orthodontic products and catheter guidewires for cardiovascular, urology and neurology procedures. Acme Monaco is headquartered in New Britain, Conn., and in 1989 opened its second manufacturing facility in Presque Isle. In 2017, the company expanded into a new plant at Presque Isle Industrial Park. Acme Monaco has been owned by the Karabin family since 1965.
Ware-Butler Building Supply is the recipient of the Governor’s Rural Revitalization Award. Since its founding in 1925, Ware-Butler has grown to 13 retail locations throughout central Maine and beyond, including the flagship store in Waterville. In 2020, Ware-Butler was acquired by Pleasant River Lumber Co., headquartered in Dover-Foxcroft, and the family of companies now employs more than 700 people.
ReVision Energy was presented with the Governor’s Innovation Award. Launched 18 years ago in Liberty, ReVision is a solar-power installer that is now based in South Portland and operates four other facilities in Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. A certified B Corporation, ReVision is owned by its 310 employees and has placed more than 10,000 clean energy systems in service.

Mills said in a news release, “These extraordinary businesses continue to meet the challenges of the pandemic with innovation and ingenuity, adapting to meet the needs of Maine people. Every day they provide good-paying, rewarding jobs that keep people here in Maine, and attract talented people to our state.

“As we continue our work to strengthen Maine’s economy and make Maine more competitive across the world, these businesses are a critical part of our effort. I congratulate them on this well-deserved honor.”

In 2019, recipients of the Governor’s Awards for Business Excellence were Luke’s Lobster, Rwanda Coffee Bean Co., Bigelow Brewing Co. and CourseStorm. Previous recipients have included Apothecary By Design, Caron Engineering and First National Bank.