Auburn Manufacturing, Luke's Lobster among MITC award winners
File photo / Tim Greenway
Kathie Leonard, CEO of Auburn Manufacturing, was named MITC's Exporter of the Year, awarded to a manufacturer that has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to international trade through increased exports.
Auburn Manufacturing, Luke’s Lobster Seafood Co. and Thornton Academy are among the 2019 International Trade and Investment Awards honorees, unveiled by the Maine International Trade Center on Tuesday.
The three, along with ND Paper/Nine Dragons Paper (Holdings) Ltd., a Chinese-owned investor in mills in Rumford and Old Town, are being recognized for their commitment to growth in international markets.
Last year, 2,087 Maine companies exported $2.7 billion in goods and services to 169 countries. Top exports are seafood, semiconductors, aircraft parts and forest products.
Auburn Manufacturing, led by 2018 Mainebiz Business Leader of the Year honoree Kathie Leonard, was named Exporter of the Year, awarded to a manufacturer that has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to international trade through increased exports.
The maker of heat-resistant textiles has plants in Mechanic Falls and Auburn.
"Not everyone is going to work in IT or science," Leonard said in a news release announcing the awards. "Manufacturing jobs are good jobs. They pay a living wage with good benefits, and we need that for a lot of people in this country."
Innovator, Service Provider and Foreign Direct Investor Awards
Luke’s Lobster was named Innovator of the Year, awarded to a company or organization in Maine that has accessed international markets through new and innovative processes or products.
Luke Holden, the company’s CEO and owner, started his business 10 years ago and today has 500 employees and 38 retail locations, including 11 in Japan and Taiwan. Its retail presence and expansion are unique and innovative in Maine's lobster industry, according to MITC’s release.
"Because we are vertically integrated,” Holden said, “every time we open a new shack, we need to grow our supply chain, increase processing capacity, and upsize our distribution and sales, as not all processed seafood is sold through the shacks. Being named Innovator of the Year is an honor for us, as we continue to find new ways to keep up with our growing business while maintaining our commitment to serving the best tasting seafood to guests around the world."
Thornton Academy in Saco was named Service Provider of the Year, awarded to a provider has established an international presence for the export of their service.
The educational institution offers one of the most comprehensive high school programs in northern New England with more than 24 sports teams, more than 30 programs and seven foreign languages. It has welcomed students from more than 40 countries including Spain, Italy, Mexico and Vietnam.
"International students are buying an American product called education, so it's an export," said headmaster Rene Menard, adding that the international program allows local students to learn from and alongside students from around the world and exposes them to a range of cultures and world views.
ND Paper/Nine Dragons Paper (Holdings) Ltd. received the Foreign Direct Investor of the Year Award, given to foreign-owned companies that have made a strategic decision to invest in Maine by either opening a new facility or enhancing their existing operations here. Through its Illinois-based subsidiary ND Paper, the firm bought mills in Rumford and Old Town last year.
In Rumford, the mill continues to diversify its products in growing markets like wrapping paper, corporate periodicals and food and drink container labels. The Old Town mill, which has been shuttered since 2015, is set to reopen this summer and provide 130 direct jobs.
President's Award and Future Global Leader Award
Besides the companies named above, MITC is honoring three individuals this year.
Charlie Emmons of the Finance Authority of Maine and Michael Stone of Stone & Associates will each receive the President's Award, which is given to an individual or organization which has displayed exceptional support to the Maine International Trade Center.
Apryl King, a Saco native who recently graduated from the University of Southern Maine, will receive the Future Global Leader Award for her exceptional work as an intern at MITC.
The awards will be presented during Maine International Trade Day on May 24 in Portland.
About MITC
Maine International Trade Center, a public-private partnership helps Maine businesses enter and expand global markets for their products and services through services including consulting and research, affordable group trade show participation, global connections and export reimbursement funds for small businesses.
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