[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Pages 13848-13849]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING KENWAY CORPORATION

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I wish today to recognize the Kenway 
Corporation, an outstanding small business from my home State of Maine 
that recently earned the distinguished recognition of Manufacturer of 
the Year by the Maine Manufacturing Extension Partnership, or Maine 
MEP. A fiberglass manufacturer located in Maine's capital city of 
Augusta, the Kenway Corporation has for over 60 years been known for 
its high-quality products. The MEP's Manufacturer of the Year award is 
presented every year to a company that has achieved world-class status 
and has applied the best manufacturing practices necessary to succeed 
in the marketplace.
  The Kenway Corporation formally began operations as Kenway Boats in 
1947 in the rural community of Palermo, ME. Originally focused on 
building wooden crafts, the firm switched its concentration to 
composites in the 1960s and has since grown into a tremendously 
successful manufacturing company. Today, Kenway manufactures corrosion-
resistant fiberglass for a variety of industries, including marine, 
pulp and paper, and power. Notably, in 1991, Kenway moved its venture 
to Augusta and increased its manufacturing facilities to more than 
10,000 square feet. The firm is expanding again this year by doubling 
its current size while consolidating its operations. Additionally, 
since 2003, the company has increased its staff more than twofold, to 
nearly 80 employees, and

[[Page 13849]]

Kenway is seeking to provide even more jobs in the near future. Kenway 
has attracted a loyal customer base ranging from coast to coast and 
even to Puerto Rico.
  The Kenway Corporation's products are highly advanced and heavily 
sought after by numerous companies. Kenway makes process piping that is 
used in petrochemical and wastewater treatment facilities, as well as 
in power plants and paper mills. In addition, the firm manufactures an 
assortment of custom designed dampers, tanks, scrubbers, shower pipes, 
and railcar drip pans to prevent corrosion and chemical leakage. 
Kenway's employees engage in an array of intensive manufacturing 
processes, including laminating, vacuum resin transfer molding, and 
pultrusion.
  Since its inception 61 years ago, the Kenway Corporation has wisely 
taken advantage of tools available to small businesses. In 2007, the 
Maine Department of Economic and Community Development designated 
Kenway a Pine Tree Zone business, making it eligible for targeted tax 
benefits to better compete in today's global economy. The company had 
previously won a $100,000 grant from the Maine Technology Institute, 
which allowed Kenway to install sensor systems in its piping to 
transfer hazardous materials.
  Early last year, Kenway returned to its historic roots of 
shipbuilding by purchasing Maritime Skiff from its retiring 
Massachusetts owners. Now operating under the name Maritime Marine, the 
company makes small, fuel-efficient skiffs and family fishing boats 
with fiberglass decks and hulls. Kenway received a $400,000 community 
development block grant to properly incorporate Maritime Skiff into its 
present operations, a transition that has thus far yielded positive 
results. To generate additional interest in Maritime's line of vessels, 
the company recently began offering a lifetime no-rot warranty on all 
of its models.
  A powerhouse and leader in fiberglass manufacturing for nearly a half 
century, the Kenway Corporation's name is synonymous with quality 
craftsmanship and innovative production. Through intelligent growth and 
adjusting to economic conditions, Kenway has been successful at staying 
ahead of the curve and maintaining its preeminent position. I commend 
Ken Priest, company president, and everyone at the Kenway Corporation 
for their accomplishment in garnering the respected Manufacturer of the 
Year award from the Maine MEP and wish them well in their continuing 
endeavors.

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