[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 42 (Wednesday, March 14, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1678-S1679]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                      TRIBUTE TO XURON CORPORATION

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, the American manufacturing sector is 
critical for economic expansion and job creation, employing nearly 12 
million Americans across the country. Today, due to global economic 
downturns and increasing competition from abroad, American firms must 
adapt to compete in an international marketplace by incorporating 
creative and innovative designs. With this in mind, I rise to commend 
Xuron Corporation, located in Saco, ME, a shining example of an 
American company adapting and succeeding in an increasingly complex 
international economy.
  Xuron, originally founded in Danbury, CT, began producing high-grade 
precision hand tools in 1971. In 1986, this small firm relocated to 
Maine to take advantage of expansion opportunities and the State's 
expert workforce. For over 40 years, this company has been an industry-
leading developer, manufacturer, and seller of high-grade precision 
hand tools for multiple industries from aerospace to jewelry. With 
hundreds of distributors, Xuron tools can be found in factories and 
workshops around the world.
  Just recently, the National Institute of Standards and Technology's 
Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership, MEP, program recognized 
Xuron for ``Making it in America'' due to their innovative designs, 
access to foreign markets, and continually creating jobs for American 
workers. While the great recession drastically affected businesses 
across the United States, Xuron surmounted all obstacles by readjusting 
their operations to combat the economic downturn. For instance, the 
company began cross-training its employees to perform a multitude of 
tasks ranging from manufacturing to accounting. Furthermore, the 
company actively removed inefficiencies along

[[Page S1679]]

its shipping and receiving chain, enabling it to save jobs and 
eliminate waste in the process. These resourceful changes have created 
a sense of company-wide camaraderie and further enhanced Xuron's 
competitiveness overseas.
  While Xuron's products can be found around the world, the company's 
success directly helps people in the United States. For example, after 
Hurricane Katrina ravaged the gulf coastline in 2005, Xuron generously 
gave employee and corporate donations to the Bush-Clinton Katrina 
Relief Fund to rebuild areas damaged by the catastrophic natural 
disaster. The company's donations helped Gulf State Americans rebuild 
after an unprecedented tragedy, demonstrating Xuron's selfless 
commitment to helping individuals across the country.
  Throughout history, Americans have shown a unique ability to overcome 
and succeed through hard times. Xuron is a shining example of American 
resilience as employees have worked together, retrained, and excelled 
through tough and uncertain economic climates. Their inspiring story 
demonstrates the tenacity of American small businesses, and 
particularly illuminates the strength found within the American 
manufacturing sector. I am extremely proud of Xuron's ingenuity and 
sincerely wish the company continued success in the coming 
years.

                          ____________________