[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 185 (Wednesday, December 5, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S14783]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING MAINE MACHINE PRODUCTS COMPANY

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, with tremendous enthusiasm, I 
recognize Maine Machine Products Company, a phenomenal small business 
from my home State of Maine that manufactures products for various hi-
tech industries. Because of its hard work and dedication to leading its 
field, Maine Machine Products was recognized with the Maine Development 
Foundation's Champion of Economic Development Award at the Foundation's 
annual meeting on October 5, 2007. Headquartered in South Paris, Maine 
Machine Products has a history replete with innovation and success, and 
is a company highly deserving of such an aptly titled award.
  Founded in 1956 by Roland Sutton, Maine Machine Products is a custom 
precision manufacturer of components and assemblies whose products are 
sent to global high-technology markets including those serving the 
defense and aerospace, telecom and fiber optic, and semiconductor 
markets. Located in a temperature-controlled 75,000-square-foot 
building in western Maine, Maine Machine Products employs roughly 150 
highly skilled workers who consistently produce products of the finest 
quality for these vital industries. Always seeking to be on the cutting 
edge of technology, Maine Machine Products earlier this year began 
working with the Mazak Integrex e-Series, which is the most advanced 
multitasking machine in custom precision manufacturing. The machine 
allows the company to complete all operations, such as turning, boring, 
and drilling, in a single setup, increasing productivity and 
efficiency. Additionally, the firm has upgraded its Clean Room, where 
it tests and finishes semiconductor equipment, by expanding it and 
making other improvements.
  More than merely adding to its existing infrastructure, Maine Machine 
Products has made significant contributions to both its employees and 
the western Maine community. Two programs, in particular, demonstrate 
the attention that the company pays to its workers and aspiring 
manufacturing personnel. First, Maine Machine Products makes use of the 
machine operators skills training grant, MOST, program, that assists 
firms with the training of their computer numerical control, or CNC, 
operators. In addition, the program attempts to fill open CNC positions 
with nontraditional workers by training individuals and matching them 
with employers. In MOST's inaugural season, 52 incumbent Maine Machine 
Products employees received training through the program, and the 
company hired 6 new employees who participated.
  Through a second program, Maine Machine Products gives scholarships 
to students who are enrolled in the Machine Tool Program at Central 
Maine Community College based in Auburn. Since its inception in 1974, 
Maine Machine Products' scholarship program has sponsored 47 
scholarships. The program provides a work-study program to students who 
qualify, and--most fittingly--many graduates of the scholarship program 
are presently employed at Maine Machine Products.
  Maine Machine Products has filled a specific niche in the precision 
custom manufacturing industry for over five decades, and it continues 
to be a market leader. With measured expansion and sustained growth 
throughout the years, Maine Machine Products has excelled in a highly 
technical and competitive field. I wish everyone at Maine Machine 
Products continued success and growth in the years to come.

                          ____________________