[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 35 (Wednesday, March 9, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S1500]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING PORTAGE WOODS PRODUCTS, LLC.

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, since settlers first occupied the 
vast forest areas found in my home State of Maine, the logging industry 
has been a vital part of the state's economy. Last year, approximately 
2,600 were employed by the forestry and logging industry, and over 
4,000 were employed in wood product manufacturing. Maine loggers have 
constantly been at the forefront of advances in their industry, 
including inventing the Peavey hook and the Lombard log hauler. Despite 
these great advancements, the Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration, OSHA, considers logging to be one of the most dangerous 
industries in the United States. Today I commend and recognize Portage 
Woods Products LLC, a logging company in my home State of Maine, for 
receiving the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program, SHARP, 
award, OSHA's highest honor for small businesses that show an exemplary 
commitment to workplace safety and health.
  Portage Woods Products LLC, a division of Maine Woods Company LLC, 
located in the northern Maine town of Portage, knows what it takes to 
be a successful small business without compromising safety and 
integrity. The Pingree family has been invested in logging since 1841. 
Currently their small business employs 63 individuals and distributes 
$2.6 million in payroll. In 2006, the Pingrees acquired and integrated 
Portage Woods Products, or PWP, into Maine Woods Company. The Portage 
Woods site is the only fully integrated hardwood manufacturing complex 
in the Northeast.
  Throughout its history, PWP has strived to uphold its mission, ``to 
manufacture quality hardwood lumber at the lowest cost while providing 
for a safe work environment.'' To do so, the firm incorporates accident 
prevention into its training of employees, and asks workers to remember 
that, ``no job is more important than your safety!''
  Clearly, Portage Woods Products makes safety a priority, and in 
December 2010 OSHA recognized this aspect of the business by honoring 
the company with the SHARP award. This is truly distinctive, as less 
than 1,600 small worksites currently possess this honor. I commend the 
company's high achievement and its laudable commitment to safety. I 
know firsthand that small businesses face unparalleled burdens in 
complying with all types of regulations, which only makes this 
accomplishment all the more impressive.
  Portage Woods Products has demonstrated that when a company sets 
goals and prides itself on safety, it is possible to attain excellence. 
I thank everyone at PWP and Maine Woods Company for their dedication 
and commitment to a safe and productive work environment, and offer my 
best wishes for another 150 years of success.

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