BioArray News, Justin Petrone
Tuesday, January 04, 2011

Maine Manufacturing, a three-year-old technology company, has been awarded a $149,499 National Science Foundation Small Business Innovation Research grant to help it develop a new microarray platform that could be used to diagnose and treat cancer. Entitled “Novel microarray platforms for detection of rare molecules in complex mixtures,” the grant started Jan. 1 and expires June 30. It is the first NSF award for Maine Manufacturing.

While only a few years old, the Sanford-based firm has a lengthy array technology pedigree. Maine Manufacturing last year absorbed GE Whatman’s protein microarray group after GE decided to relocate its Maine operations overseas and eliminate 275 positions. After negotiations, Maine Manufacturing acquired certain assets from GE, as well as the array team, which was also based in Sanford, according to Chief Scientific Officer Michael Harvey.

As part of that deal, which closed last year, Harvey, a principal scientist with GE Whatman, joined Maine Manufacturing as its CSO. The privately held firm is now committed to “translating identified market needs into prototypes and then producing supplies for laboratories on a high-volume level,” and the engineering of a new microarray surface is part of that effort, he told BioArray News this week. “The focus of our Phase I grant is to create a new microarray surface that has improved properties to allow for detection of rare biomolecules,” Harvey said. According to Harvey, the limitations of existing microarray surfaces include “platform-based optical interferences and limited or ineffective binding capacity for biomolecules.” These flaws constrain the sensitivity of binding reactions mounted on existing microarray surfaces, and Harvey maintains that arrays with enhanced sensitivity will permit the detection of rare biomolecules that may be involved in cellular regulation, cellular differentiation, and disease mechanisms.

Such chips could include reverse-phase protein arrays, which he said are important for understanding cellular changes in a variety of disease states. “In cancer, for example, lysates from small numbers of tumor cells can be spotted on a surface and then interrogated with many different antibodies to elucidate protein expression patterns in these tumor cell populations,” Harvey said. “The power of these techniques will be significantly enhanced by having a platform able to support the most sensitive assays.” To achieve its goals, Maine Manufacturing has cast a nitrocellulose film on a track-etched support to form a composite surface that will “maintain the high protein-binding capacity of nitrocellulose on an optically transparent carrier,” Harvey said. According to the grant abstract, by casting nitrocellulose on an optically transparent porous track-etched membrane, the resulting surface will “maintain some properties of both starting materials.” By varying the pore structure of the track-etched membrane, Maine Manufacturing will also optimize the resulting membrane’s ability to capture complex protein mixtures and permit sensitive fluorescent detection. Additionally, the company plans to directly modify the track-etched membrane with functional silanes to provide chemical groups permitting covalent coupling of proteins and nucleic acids. “This approach should prove beneficial to maintain the optical compatibility of the original track-etched structure,” and “may be optimal for antibody arrays where the capture molecule can be immobilized at a sufficient density to provide a sensitive assay surface,” the firm states in the abstract.

Harvey said that feasibility studies to test the surface are already underway. “We hope to show that it will quantitatively capture proteins in complex mixtures while permitting sensitive fluorescent detection,” he said. “These two characteristics in combination will lead to a more sensitive platform than currently available.” According to Harvey, microarrays continue to “play an increasingly important role in bioscience research, disease and drug discovery processes, as well as in human and animal diagnostics” and “provide parallel processing tools required to extract multiple values from small amounts of precious clinical and research samples.” He said that Maine Manufacturing’s project will ultimately “provide the basis for new diagnostic and prognostic tools to help understand the proteins present in tumor cells” and added that the firm’s technology “could offer new methods and devices to make interrogation of one’s own cancer possible resulting in personalized treatment methods.”
The Maine Event

While Maine Manufacturing’s deal with GE Whatman occurred three years after Maine Manufacturing was established, the histories of the firms are connected. Maine Manufacturing was set up by Craig Cunningham, who previously served as engineering manager and chief engineer with Whatman. GE acquired Whatman in 2008 (BAN 11/4/2008). Since its founding, Maine Manufacturing has occupied a 100,000-square foot facility in Sanford, which includes more than 30,000-square feet of clean room and laboratory space, according to a company spokesperson. In addition to production of protein microarray products, Maine Manufacturing works in product development and high-volume production of filter paper, membranes, and injection- and blow-molding plastic products, the spokesperson said.

According to Harvey, GE decided several months after it acquired Whatman that it would close one of Whatman’s largest manufacturing facilities in Sanford. “In an effort to mitigate the economic impact to the area and to rapidly add significant volume to its business, Maine Manufacturing approached GE with an offer to keep parts of the business being relocated in Maine,” he said. Maine Manufacturing eventually entered into an agreement to acquire “certain assets” from the Whatman division of GE Healthcare, effective Jan. 1, 2010.
As part of that deal, Maine Manufacturing acquired Whatman’s portfolio of arrays containing protein content, as well as all microarray printing and processing equipment from GE, according to its spokesperson. The products include a line of focused protein arrays, including a Serum Biomarker Chip for cancer-related biomarker screening, and the CombiChip, which was designed to screen markers related to autoimmune diseases. The CombiChip received CE marking as an in vitro diagnostic in 2006 (BAN 11/4/2008).

Sanford, (ME) December 7, 2010 — Maine Manufacturing has been granted a $150,000 small business research, phase one award by the National Science Foundation. Scientists at Maine Manufacturing, a life science manufacturing company, in Sanford, ME was granted the money for research into a better diagnostic technology for clinical disorders such as heart disease and other inflammatory conditions.

Principal Investigator, Mike Harvey, Ph.D, explained the significance of the grant, “This research may allow doctors to better understand the fluctuation of a particular patient’s protein levels and correlate that to disease state or responsiveness to treatment, thereby allowing the most appropriate treatment to be used for a particular patient.”

This research will combine two technologies manufactured by the company – microscope slides and track etched membranes. Maine Manufacturing proposes to replace the standard glass on a slide with their specialized membrane. This will reduce optical interferences commonly found on microscopes and provide more surface area for binding proteins.

Maine Manufacturing has a research laboratory at its facility and employs several full-time scientists.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Kaitlyn Cunningham
866-736-1250 Ext 1013
Cell Phone 207-423-7328
kaitlyn.cunningham@mfgmaine.com

Sanford, (ME) August 26, 2010 — Maine Manufacturing LLC of Sanford, Maine is pleased to announce its achievement of ISO

9001:2008 certification.

“This certification positions us well for growth in our market,” Maine Manufacturing Director of Quality Management, Rob Wilder,

explained Thursday. He went on to say, “ with a tremendous amount of work by our entire team, we have been able to

complete our ISO registration in record time.”

Receiving ISO certification ensures that a company is well run, has procedures to monitor all processes and will take adequate

steps to ensure continual improvement.

Maine Manufacturing, produces filtration and custom laboratory products for the international medical and laboratory diagnostic

community. The company continues to expand adding 90 employees since January.

Sanford, (ME) June 3, 2010 — Maine Manufacturing LLC held an open house and grand opening celebration today, over 100 people were in attendance. Located in Sanford, ME the company sits on the breaking edge of the life sciences industry.
Founded in 2007 Maine Manufacturing recently completed a tremendous growth period. A customized manufacturing partner for the life science industry, Maine Manufacturing spent 2009 in negotiations with the healthcare division of General Electric. GE had purchased Whatman Inc, a company that employed nearly 250 people in Maine and had planned to send the jobs overseas. Maine Manufacturing’s negotiations allowed the company to grow from 2 to 90 employees and preserved many of the jobs which GE had been planning to ship overseas.
Bill Emhiser the CEO at Maine Manufacturing opened the celebration welcoming guests by saying, “We are excited to be showcasing our 100,000 square foot world-class life sciences facility for the first time.”
Another participant in the activities of the day was Senator Susan Collins. Collins who spoke during the opening
celebration said, “Maine Manufacturing is truly one of Maine’s great success stories.  But what you are doing here goes beyond creating jobs.  You are building an industry of the future. The quality of your products, your innovation, and your collaboration with Maine’s research community are keeping our state on the cutting edge of this exciting field.”

SANFORD, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — At a time when a lot of manufacturing jobs are being shipped overseas, a Maine company is celebrating how it was able to keep jobs in this state. Maine Manufacturing held an open house Thursday at its new location, in the old Whatman plant in Sanford.
In January, Maine Manufacturing grew from 8 employees to almost 90. They did it by making a deal with GE Healthcare, which was going to close Whatman’s Sanford plant. GE bought Whatman in April of 2008.
Whatman employed about 250 people, and now 80 of those people work for Maine Manufacturing. The owners showed Senator Susan Collins around the plant Thursday. Maine Manufacturing makes filters and other products that are used in biomedical research.
The company was able to make this deal in part because it received a federal grant. Senator Collins says she wants the federal government to do more to support small businesses. She said, “I think, too often, Washington focuses on very big businesses when it’s the small companies that are creating the vast majority of new jobs, not just in our state but throughout the country.”
Maine Manufacturing plans to keep growing, expanding to 300 jobs over the next 5 years. CEO Bill Emhiser says the company is succeeding because, as a small business, it has low overhead, and it had a ready workforce of skilled people from Whatman, ready to go.
NEWS CENTER

WCSH 6, Caroline Cornish
Thursday, June 8, 2010

 

Maine Manufacturing will hold an open house and grand opening celebration on Thursday, June 3, 2010. The company which began in 2007 has recently undergone a large expansion and moved to a new location.
The event will include a grand opening celebration with members of the state congressional delegation and company leadership as well as tours of the 100,000 square foot facility. This gathering will present an opportunity for members of the industry to gather and learn about Maine Manufacturing while celebrating the company’s recent successes.

Sanford News, Ellen W. Todd
Thursday, April 8, 2010

WATERVILLE — Maine Manufacturing, LLC, of Sanford, was one of five Maine companies to receive a 2010 Governor’s Award for Business Excellence last week during the Annual Colby Institute for Leadership luncheon at Colby College in Waterville.

The Governor’s Award for Business Excellence recognizes Maine companies that demonstrate a commitment to corporate sustainability, as well as a commitment to their employees and to the community.

“This year’s honorees represent the innovative spirit that has earned Maine a reputation for top quality workmanship, service and a commitment to excellence. Each company selected has an incredibly strong record of community service and workforce investment. I am proud to honor them all as distinguished members of our community,” said Governor John Baldacci.

Founded in 2007 by Craig Cunningham, Maine Manufacturing has grown from six employees to more than 85. Cunningham was the director of engineering at Whatman Inc.’s Sanford plant before starting Maine Manufacturing. Whatman, which made disposable filters and other specialty products used in research laboratories, biotech and pharmaceutical companies, was purchased by GE Healthcare Life Sciences in April 2008. In September of that year, GE Healthcare announced it would shut down the Sanford facility as part of a restructuring plan, and move its operations to Cardiff, Wales. The Sanford plant had 225 employees.

In December 2008, William Emhiser joined Maine Manufacturing as the company’s president. Emhiser too was a former Whatman employee, having been the chief executive officer of Whatman Plc. in London.

Maine Manufacturing approached GE with a proposal to keep some of the Whatman/GE Healthcare processes in Sanford, particularly those that could not be easily moved to Cardiff. After lengthy negotiations, Maine Manufacturing entered into an agreement to acquire certain assets from the Whatman Division of GE Healthcare on Jan. 1, 2010. With the agreement, Maine Manufacturing was able to offer jobs to 60-70 GE Healthcare employees.

“At Maine Manufacturing our employees are our biggest asset,” said Cunningham.

Maine Manufacturing, he said, is committed to working closely with its employees and making sure that all employees are involved in the decision-making process, are well-trained and are rewarded for their contributions. Cunningham said his management style was inspired by the classic tale of “The Little Red Hen,” which he read to his children when they were young.

The company’s benefit package includes a flexible spending account option and paid life, short term and long term disability insurances. Maine Manufacturing actively involves new employees in the rule-making process and provides an aggressive training program in all areas of the business.

The Governor’s Awards for Business Excellence are administered by the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) and sponsored by FairPoint Communications. Other Business Award recipients were:

Gifford’s Ice Cream which has been producing premium ice cream products for more than 100 years, which has long been committed to making their products using fresh, pasteurized, growth-hormone-free milk from local dairy farms. Ten percent of all profits go to supporting programs that promote healthy, active children.

Old Town Canoe Company — Johnson Outdoors — Old Town Canoe has been a leader in the paddle sports industry since 1898. Acquired by Johnson Outdoors in 1974, the company has experienced tremendous growth in its workforce and sales and returns as much, or more, to the community as they benefit from it.

Sprague & Curtis Real Estate, founded in 1957, is Southern Kennebec Valley’s oldest and top selling real estate company. Each year, the company and employees donate hundreds of hours to community service and provide leadership for many groups, organizations and efforts in the greater Augusta area.

Yankee Marina & Boatyard was founded in 1964 by the late Ralph R. Stevens, and is a family-owned, full service facility offering year-round comprehensive boat yard and marine related services. Since its founding, Yankee Marina & Boatyard has considered community involvement and support a priority.

The Governor’s Awards for Nonprofit Excellence, were also presented last week. Sponsored by Healey & Associates, Inc., the awards are presented by the Maine Association of Nonprofits to the six Maine nonprofit organizations that have achieved significant results by utilizing ingenuity combined with sound management practices. The 2010 Nonprofit Excellence award winners were:

Health Access Network (HAN), which aims to make a difference in the lives of its patients and community by providing compassionate, high quality health care services focusing on the whole person, without financial or social discrimination.

Woodfords Family Services, an organization committed to the support and inclusion of people with special needs and their families in Maine communities.

The Portland Symphony Orchestra (PSO) is a professional orchestra that aspires to foster a community of individuals throughout Northern New England who are engaged in the highest standards of live orchestral music and education programs.

Spruce Run Domestic Violence Project is dedicated to serving people affected by domestic abuse in their community, while working simultaneously to eliminate personal, institutional, and cultural violence against all individuals.

Hardy Girls, Healthy Women (HGHW), whose mission is to create opportunities, develop programs, and provide services that empower girls and women.

Youth Arts, an all volunteer organization which has provided arts enrichment programs in the schools of Camden and Rockport for over 30 years through arts residencies and performances.

Journal Tribune, Tammy Wells
Saturday and Sunday, April 3-4, 2010

SANFORD- A local company that began just three years ago – with three employees, an idea and a lot of hard work – was rewarded Thursday with the 2010 Governor’s Award for Business Excellence.
Maine Manufacturing LLC, now located at the former Whatman Plant on Community Drive in Sanford Industrial Estates, was among five Maine businesses receiving the award.
The company was founded in 2007 by Craig Cunningham, who had been cheif engineer at nearby Whatman. Bill Emhiser, formerly Chief Executive Office of the British-based Whatman Plc., joined the firm as president in January 2008.

The company, which manufactures equipment for the scientific, medical and diagnostic industries took a bold step last year when it successfully negotiated to acquire some processes conducted by Whatman, which had been purchased by General Electric Life Sciences in 2008. GE announced its intention to close the Sanford plant and move operations to Cardiff, Wales at the end of 2009. The closure was expected to idle more than 225 workers.

That’s when Maine Manufacturing LLC stepped in. A $100,000 grant from the Department of Economic and Community Development helped provide “gap” financing to augment private financial sources, and the company added 12 workers to the slate of three. Those workers, plus a contingent of former Whatman workers, means upwards of 85 people are employed there today.

“At Maine Manufacturing, our employees are our biggest asset,” said Cunningham.

Cunningham said the company was inspired by the children’s book “The Little Red Hen” that he used to read to his children. The book outlines the value of hard work by everyone to achieve goals.

“That’s the way a good business should work,” said Cunningham. “If you’re willing to help plant the seed, you get part of the loaf of bread. Maine Manufacturing was born of partners who believe Maine is a great place to live as well as work. Our employees help make this more true every day. Our group greatly appreciates the honor of this award.”

The awards, administered by the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) and sponsored by Fairpoint Communications, were presented at a reception in Waterville Thursday on behalf of Gov. John E. Baldacci to recognize Maine companies that demonstrate a high level of commitment to their community, employees and to manufacturing or service excellence. Cunningham said DECD business specialist Brian Doyle and town treasurer Paula Simpson’s consitent efforts “have been an ongoing breath of fresh Maine air to our company.”

Other businesses earning a Governor’s Award for Business Excellence include Gifford’s Ice Cream of Skowhegan, Old Town Canoe-Johnson Outdoors, Sprague and Curtis Real Estate, Augusta and Yankee Marina and Boatyard of Yarmouth.

April 2, 2010 – Maine Manufacturing LLC is among several Maine companies that have been awarded the 2010 Governor’s Award for Business Excellence. The award is made annually for commitment to sustainability, employees and community.
Founded in 2007, the company took on many of the employees who were laid off last year from the Whatman Division of GE Healthcare, just down the road from Maine Manufacturing. Maine Manufacturing makes disposable laboratory supplies.

by Maine Business Press

Contact:
Elaine Scott, DECD Marketing Director
207-624-7485 or 207-557-2257 cell
elaine.scott@maine.gov

April 1, 2010 • WATERVILLE, Maine – Five Maine companies were presented with a 2010 Governor’s Award for Business Excellence today at the Annual Colby Institute for Leadership luncheon at Colby College. The awards, administered by the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) and sponsored by FairPoint Communications, were presented on behalf of Governor John E. Baldacci to recognize Maine companies that demonstrate a high level of commitment to their community, employees and to manufacturing or service excellence. The Governor’s Awards for Nonprofit Excellence, sponsored by Healey & Associates, Inc., are presented by the Maine Association of Nonprofits to the six Maine nonprofit organizations that have achieved significant results by utilizing ingenuity combined with sound management practices.

Governor Baldacci said, “This year’s honorees represent the innovative spirit that has earned Maine a reputation for top quality workmanship, service and a commitment to excellence. Each company selected has an incredibly strong record of community service and workforce investment. I am proud to honor them all as distinguished members of our community.”

Speakers included William Adams, Colby President; Sandy Maisel, Director of Colby Goldfarb Center; Mike Reed, State President of FairPoint Communications; Thaxter Trafton, Commissioner DECD; and Scott Schnapp, Executive Director of the Maine Association of Nonprofits.

This year’s Business Award recipients were:

Gifford’s Ice Cream: Gifford’s Ice Cream has been producing premium ice cream products for more than 100 years. They have long been committed to making all of their products using fresh, pasteurized, growth-hormone-free milk from local dairy farms. Gifford’s is the only family-owned and operated regional ice cream manufacturer in Northern New England. Being a good corporate citizen is at the core of Gifford’s roots. Ten percent of all profits go to supporting programs that promote healthy, active children.

Maine Manufacturing: Maine Manufacturing of Sanford is a concept to completion customized manufacturing partner specializing in the production of unique laboratory supplies. Committed to creating jobs in Maine, founder Craig Cunningham and his partners have grown from 6 employees to 78, including 65 people who were about to be terminated at another Sanford location. The company’s benefit package includes a flexible spending account option and paid life, short term and long term disability insurances. Maine Manufacturing actively involves new employees in the rulemaking process and provides an aggressive training program in all areas of the business.

Old Town Canoe Company – Johnson Outdoors: Old Town Canoe has been a leader in the paddle sports industry since 1898. Acquired by Johnson Outdoors in 1974, the company has experienced tremendous growth in its workforce and sales. Old Town Canoe – Johnson Outdoors returns as much or more to the community as they benefit from it. The company’s recent multi-million dollar expansion employed scores of local vendors and contractors. Whenever practical, local vendors provide the parts, supplies and services the company requires. They routinely provide demonstrations and resource people to area festivals and events at no cost. They provide extensive support of organizations in the form of in-kind donations of equipment and boats.

Sprague & Curtis Real Estate: Sprague & Curtis Real Estate is Southern Kennebec Valley’s oldest and top selling real estate company. Since its inception in 1957, the company has guaranteed continued leadership in the real estate market by ensuring that customers receive the absolute best service through the application of knowledge, innovations, enthusiasm and dedication. Sprague & Curtis owners and agents are involved with many community organizations. Each year, the company and employees donate hundreds of hours to community service and provide leadership for many groups, organizations and efforts in the greater Augusta area.

Yankee Marina & Boatyard: Founded in 1964 by the late Ralph R. Stevens, Yankee Marina & Boatyard is a family-owned, full service facility offering year-round comprehensive boat yard and marine related services. Since its founding, Yankee Marina & Boatyard has considered community involvement and support a priority. The owners have been active on several municipal boards and committees, as well as the Maine Marine Trade Association, which credits its involvement with Yankee Marina as instrumental in setting the ground work for a more productive organization. Mr. Stevens was awarded the Latchstring Award from the Town of Yarmouth in recognition of his citizenship and leadership. His children continue to be involved in civic and trade association activities and are working to create an internship program to better train workers for the marine industry.

The Nonprofit award winners were:

Health Access Network: Health Access Network (HAN) aims to make a difference in the lives of their patients and community by providing compassionate, high quality healthcare services focusing on the whole person, without financial or social discrimination. The Awards Selection Committee was impressed with their broad stakeholder engagement in building the vision for the organization, their willingness to take risks, and their strong commitment to their mission and their employees.

Woodfords Family Services: Woodfords Family Services is committed to the support and inclusion of people with special needs and their families in Maine communities. The Awards Selection Committee was impressed by their creativity, as well as the integration of their stakeholders throughout the organization. Woodford’s leadership has committed to deliver the highest quality services to its constituents. The development of the Woodfords Autism Center is an excellent example of this dedication. Developed to guide parents through the maze of services offered for their autistic children, the Center provides a single path for families to navigate in order to access available services, and engages the family in the treatment process by placing parents at the center of the treatment team.

Portland Symphony Orchestra: The Portland Symphony Orchestra (PSO) is a professional orchestra that aspires to foster a community of individuals throughout Northern New England who are engaged in the highest standards of live orchestral music and education programs. The Awards Selection Committee was impressed with how the PSO has boldly tackled significant financial and demographic challenges to move the organization towards financial sustainability in a challenging economic environment. In an effort to create a culture-shift within the organization, the leadership introduced a new line of thinking regarding financial and artistic decision-making. This shift moved them away from the hope that their optimistic fundraising goals would be met and guided them toward more realistic and conservative programmatic goals. They are now very diligent about evaluating all programs for financial viability and have instituted a model whereby there is “no playing unless the program can pay for itself.”

Spruce Run Association: Spruce Run Domestic Violence Project is dedicated to serving people affected by domestic abuse in their community, while working simultaneously to eliminate personal, institutional, and cultural violence against all individuals. In 1981 they adopted a collectivist structure that embodies their philosophy and distinguishes them from most other organizations. The Awards Selection Committee was impressed with how this collectivist approach is so strongly integrated into all of their work. All employees participate in peer supervision and oversight which empowers them to voice constructive feedback to the group.

Instead of having one person handling significant decisions, the power is always handled by a group. The organization has no Executive Director but has designated an “Overall Big Picture” person to keep track of what’s going on throughout the organization and that person collaborates with the Emergency Decision Making Team.

Hardy Girls, Healthy Women: The mission of Hardy Girls, Healthy Women (HGHW) is to create opportunities, develop programs, and provide services that empower girls and women. They have demonstrated their commitment to leadership development among both the girls they serve and their board members and are working to foster a new generation of leaders as well as ensuring their board of directors has the tools necessary to advocate on the organization’s behalf. The Awards Selection Committee was impressed with the high level of stakeholder engagement, and their vision to move their programs into a national arena. HGHW created the Girls Advisory Board (GAB) to give girls leadership, fundraising and community organizing experience. The board is comprised of ten girls, most of whom are graduates of HGHW programs, who work to integrate girls’ voices into the organization’s leadership structure.

Youth Arts: Youth Arts is an all volunteer organization which has provided arts enrichment programs in the schools of Camden and Rockport for over 30 years through arts residencies and performances. Youth Arts serves to inspire and enrich each student and the entire school community with a variety of dynamic arts experiences. The Awards Selection Committee was impressed by the quality and depth of programs that an all-volunteer organization is able to provide to the community. Their activities are responsive to the teachers’ requests and are integrated throughout the curriculum. A great example of this integration was the creation of their FishES project. Youth Arts was asked to lead an initiative to create a permanent piece of art for the new Camden Rockport Elementary School. Youth Arts came up with the idea to focus the project on fish and to involve students and faculty in the design process.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Kaitlyn Cunningham
866-736-1250 Ext 1013
Cell Phone 207-423-7328
kaitlyn.cunningham@mfgmaine.com

Sanford, (ME) April 1, 2010 —- Maine Manufacturing, LLC is proud to announce that it has been awarded the 2010 Governor’s Award for Business Excellence. The award is annually given to companies who demonstrate a clear commitment to corporate sustainability, to its employees and to the community. Craig Cunningham, the founder of Maine Manufacturing, accepted the award on behalf of the company from Governor John Baldacci, Thursday afternoon.

In existence since 2007 Maine Manufacturing has seen tremendous growth. Founded as a customized manufacturing partner, Cunningham saw a need in the industry for a business that would work with customers from “concept to completion.” Chosen for the award because of its deep rooted dedication to keeping jobs in Maine, Maine Manufacturing negotiated a deal with GE Healthcare in 2009 over part  of its Whatman Division.

In September 2008, General Electric had announced the closing of one of Whatman’s largest manufacturing facilities, located just down the road from Maine Manufacturing in Sanford, Maine. The operation was to move overseas, eliminating 275 local jobs. In an effort to mitigate the economic impact to the area, and to rapidly add significant volume to its business, Maine Manufacturing approached GE with an offer to keep parts of the business being relocated in Maine. After lengthy negotiations, Maine Manufacturing entered into an agreement to acquire certain assets from the Whatman Division of GE Healthcare, effective January 1,2010.

“At Maine Manufacturing our employees are our biggest asset. We are committed to working closely with them to develop unique processes and quality products for large-scale industrial use,” Cunningham said. The benefits package for Maine Manufacturing employees includes quality health insurance with a flexible spending account option, life insurance and disability insurance. Inspired by “The Little Red Hen”, a children’s book Cunningham read to his children, Maine Manufacturing is dedicated to making sure that all employees are involved in the decision making process, are well trained and rewarded for their hard work.

Maine Manufacturing now has a base of over 85 highly skilled employees, all of whom would have lost their jobs without this agreement. With the addition of these employees and committed business from GE, Maine Manufacturing plans to rapidly grow its non-GE based business, and become a major supplier to the scientific, medical and diagnostics industry both in the United States as well as internationally.

###

From L to R: Don Neuts (partner), Jennine Cannizzo (VP of Business Development), Andy Pease (VP of Finance and Administration),Craig Cunningham (Founder, VP of Engineering and Product Development) Mike Doten (partner), Bill Emhiser (CEO)
Missing from image: Steve & Tammy Doten (partners)