Jotul North America, the Gorham-based producer of Norwegian-designed stoves, inserts and fireplaces, was named “Manufacturer of the Year” at the Manufacturers Association of Maine annual summit.
The May 17 event drew more than 250 attendees from more than 130 Maine companies to Lost Valley Ski Area in Auburn to honor the top manufacturers in the state and set industry priorities.
This year’s theme was “Shaping the Future: Powering Growth.”MAME outlined its plan for a multi-year Business Retention and Expansion strategy, an industry and private-sector funded program to help Maine manufacturing companies attract and retain skilled employees and expand into new markets.
“Innovator of the Year” was awarded to the Center for Additive Manufacturing of Metals, based at the Advanced Manufacturing Center at the University of Maine. The additive metal manufacturing process fuses small metal particles together to create metal structures and parts that have similar properties to metal parts produced by traditional processes. At this year’s summit, AMC Director John Belding announced the launch of the center’s new 3D printer to assist Maine companies with product development.
Vic Firth Co., a Newport-based manufacturer of percussion sticks and mallets, received MAME’s Pine Tree Award, as the top Maine wood products manufacturer that has grown its business through innovation.
The Manufacturers Association of Maine is a nonprofit organization comprised of over 300 companies and 100 students in Maine. It serves its membership by providing education and workforce training, business growth services, cluster initiatives, legislative advocacy, scholarship programs, networking opportunities and industry partnerships.