[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 84 (Wednesday, June 6, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S3779]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNIZING JSI STORE FIXTURES

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, manufacturing has long provided 
well-paying jobs and economic growth for Americans, especially in my 
home State of Maine. As co-chair of the Senate Task Force on 
Manufacturing, I am acutely aware that a healthy manufacturing sector 
is essential to our Nation's economic prosperity.
  Regrettably, our Nation's manufacturing sector was particularly hard 
hit by the recent recession, and continues to suffer through this 
underwhelming recovery. As this is a challenge faced by many of 
America's manufacturers, I would like to take the opportunity to 
recognize a company in my home State, that despite all obstacles, has 
overcome economic difficulties to become one of Maine's most successful 
businesses. Today, I rise to salute JSI Store Fixtures in Milo, ME, a 
premier manufacturer of high-end wood and metal fixtures for the 
supermarket industry and a distinguished member of the Milo community.
  Over 20 years ago, JSI was started in the Awalt family's basement 
with just a table saw and an aspiration. Brothers Barry and Terry Awalt 
and their step-father, Clayton Johndro, rallied family support to found 
JSI Store Fixtures; which has since grown to manufacture custom 
displays for many of the Nation's largest supermarket chains, 
including: Hannaford Supermarkets, Whole Foods, Giant, Wegmans, 
Sweetbay, and several others.
  When Mark Awalt, brother to Barry and Terry, joined the company in 
1997, JSI had already outgrown the family basement. In fact, it had 
outgrown its original facility, a 30,000-square foot plant located in 
Howland. Mark sought the help of the Maine Small Business Development 
Center at the Eastern Maine Development Corporation and the Piscataquis 
County Economic Development Council to receive a community development 
block grant and a Small Business Administration guaranteed loan. This 
funding enabled JSI to expand and relocate to the vacant Dexter Shoe 
Plant in 2000, garnering many employees who had previously worked for 
Dexter Shoe. JSI now ships 95 percent of its products out of Maine and 
in 2011 generated approximately $20 million in sales--proof that small 
businesses are economically successful, even in the most rural parts of 
Maine. Today, JSI is the region's largest employer with 130 employees 
and has become a cherished staple in the community.
  Additionally, the hard work and perseverance of JSI's second-to-none 
employees cannot be overstated as they boast an incredible record in a 
key area--safety excellence. At a time when JSI sales increased 400 
percent, the company reached the outstanding safety milestone of over 
10 years without a lost-time accident. Owners, managers, and employees 
of JSI have implemented and nurtured a safety focus over the last 
decade and were recognized for this momentous feat by the Manufacturers 
of Maine Group Trust's, Richard J. Haines Award for Safety Excellence 
in 2007. The award honors a member of the trust who excels in six 
different areas of employee safety: commitment, persistence, 
participation, performance, consistency, and innovation. In 2009, JSI 
was celebrated again by the Trust for having the most effective safety 
program.
  But it is not just safety excellence that JSI employees practice, its 
distinction in customer service, quality and industry leading on-time 
shipping that has powered JSI to become one of the largest employers in 
Piscataquis County. Their success has certainly not gone unnoticed, as 
their list of accolades is truly remarkable. In 1999, JSI Store 
Fixtures received the Hannaford Brothers Distinguished Vendor Award for 
exceptional service and high product quality. Then in 2004, co-owner 
Mark Awalt was named by the U.S. Small Business Administration as 
Maine's Small Business Person of the Year, followed by JSI receiving 
the Governor's Award for Business Excellence in 2011. This renowned 
award honors Maine companies that demonstrate a high level of 
commitment to their community, employees and to manufacturing or 
service excellence.
  At the same time, JSI is perhaps most prominently known for their 
invaluable contributions to the local community. Their steadfast 
loyalty to the region has been demonstrated through numerous projects 
and fundraisers to benefit area children and the local school 
community. For example, through the Clayton Johndro Golf Tournament 
which is held annually, JSI raised over $10,000 for youth programs in 
2011 alone. Once again, highlighting their extraordinary contributions, 
JSI received the 2010 Maine Education Association's Corporate Award in 
honor of their significant impact on area youth and the Distinguished 
Service Award in the same year from the Milo/Brownville Kiwanis.
  A true asset to the state of Maine, JSI has exemplified outstanding 
leadership and a passion for helping others that is certainly worthy of 
commendation. I am proud to extend my congratulations to the Awalt 
family and everyone at JSI Store Fixtures for their tremendous 
accomplishments. They are a shining example of the dedication to 
excellence, quality workmanship, commitment to community and service 
that Maine is known for. I offer my best wishes for continued success 
to JSI, and look forward to hearing more about their achievements in 
the future.

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