[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 16, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S789-S790]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNIZING SAUNDERS BROTHERS

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, as we have heard time and time 
again, the American manufacturing sector is struggling. Manufacturers 
face a whole host of challenges, from oppressive regulations to 
increased energy costs to foreign competition. Indeed, it has been 
predicted that China will surpass the United States in 2011 as the 
world's biggest manufacturing nation in terms of output. In Maine, wood 
products manufacturers have been particularly harmed by the effects of 
unfair competition from overseas countries. Indeed, only three American 
factories still manufacture wooden dowels, which are often used to join 
pieces of furniture. When one of those factories that operated in my 
home State was shuttered last year, a group of Maine investors stepped 
forward to restart operations and provide economic opportunity to the 
region. Today I wish to recognize that company--Saunders Brothers--and 
the individuals who made the purchase of the firm.
  Saunders Brothers was founded in 1900 by siblings Harry and Arthur, 
who built the small woodworking operation from the ground up, making 
wooden dowels. When the original mill in North Waterford burned down in 
1916, the brothers moved their operation to Westbrook, near Maine's 
largest city of Portland, and finally settled at the present-day site 
in the western Maine community of Locke Mills, a small village in the 
town of Greenwood. Its recognizable smokestack is a local landmark, and 
its doors have welcomes hundreds of workers over the years.
  However, with the calamitous economy, the owners were simply unable 
to

[[Page S790]]

keep the doors opens, and the facility was forced to close last spring, 
leaving 55 employees without jobs. Yet just a few months later, 
investors Louise Jonaitis and Steve LaFreniere purchased the mill for 
$450,000 at a foreclosure auction, and have begun the process of re-
employing some of those who lost their jobs. In September, they 
reopened the factory's doors and began operating the rolling pin line, 
with seven employees. The owners are also looking at ways to make the 
plant more energy efficient as well as examine which products and 
processes will make the factory most successful for years to come. For 
instance, Saunders Brothers also makes a number of other wood products, 
including rolling pins sold by companies like Williams Sonoma, in hopes 
of becoming ``the Rolling Pin Capital of New England.''
  Furthermore, Ms. Jonaitis and Mr. LaFreniere have purchased a number 
of mills across the State during these tough economic times, seeking to 
bring economic prosperity to Maine's struggling mill towns. Mr. 
LaFreniere has noted that ``Our goal is to keep them from being torn 
down during these hard times so when the economy recovers, they can 
make a profit and be successful again.'' This unbridled optimism is a 
hallmark of America's entrepreneurial spirit, and I thank them for 
their actions.
  The United States of America is a resilient nation. We know there 
will always be tough times, but we can never shake the notion that our 
best days are still ahead of us. That belief is what makes the actions 
of Louise Jonaitis and Steve LaFreniere so laudable. I sincerely wish 
everyone at Saunders Brothers much success as they continue their 
miraculous recovery in support of the company's motto, ``Let's Get 
Maine Rolling.''

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