[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 15882]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                          MAINE WOOD CONCEPTS

 Ms SNOWE. Mr. President, with nearly 17.7 million acres of 
forest, my home State of Maine has the key distinction of being the 
most heavily forested State in this great country. Trees from these 
plentiful forests are converted into some of the finest hardwood 
flooring and custom wood products in the world. Today I wish to 
recognize Maine Wood Concepts, a small business that utilizes Maine's 
bountiful resources to create quality wooden products and which 
recently celebrated its 40th anniversary.
  Maine Wood Concepts, located in the western Maine town of New 
Vineyard, specializes in turning, finishing, and manufacturing a 
variety of custom wood products, all designed to the highest standards. 
With an outstanding array of products including folding rules, file 
cleaners, drumsticks, pepper mills, industrial pieces, file handles, 
and even wooden nickels, this small business certainly lives up to its 
motto of ``turning wood into what you need.'' As one of the last wood 
turning companies in the country, the firm's endurance can be 
attributed to its elite craftsmanship and superior quality products.
  Forty years ago Wayne Fletcher and Earl E. Fletcher purchased the 
previously closed Percy Webber Wood Turning Mill and opened the Maine 
Wood Turning Mill. Now run by the second generation of the Fletcher 
family and known as Maine Wood Concepts, this small business has 
expanded to include Maine Wood Turning, American Pride Company, and the 
Lutz File and Tool Company. From humble beginnings of producing wooden 
toy parts and simple wood products, the firm now employs approximately 
80 individuals and makes several complex wooden products.
  Maine Wood Concepts also seeks to ensure that Maine's abundant forest 
is cared for through responsible production and consumption of forest 
products. As a certified member of the Forest Stewardship Council, 
Maine Wood Concepts has met strict standards for promoting forest 
conservation through its chain of product distribution.
  Over the past 40 years, Maine Woods Concepts has continually expanded 
and created quality jobs for Maine residents. Their ingenuity and 
growth throughout the years is a tribute to the strong work ethic found 
in every corner of Maine. I am proud to extend my congratulations to 
everyone at Maine Wood Concepts on the occasion of the company's 40th 
anniversary and offer my best wishes for their continued 
success.

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