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Sponsored by: Manufacturers Association of Maine
May 21, 2020 2020 Work for ME

Manufacturers Association of Maine

Let us lead

In Maine, history has shown that making stuff through the ages comes with ingenuity, innovation, need and technology. Nearly everything in our daily lives is manufactured, from what we touch to our communication to our daily lives.

We realized during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic the additional importance and value of manufacturing. Governments and the public turned to manufacturers to make products needed to keep our world safe. Manufacturing took the lead.

Calls came in from across the country asking Maine for help. Our textile and food-and-beverage sectors stepped up, as did makers of medical devices and plastics, electronics and semiconductors. We’ve seen an unprecedented call to action.

Manufacturing Month, which is October of each year, celebrates the companies and individuals that shape the future of the industry.

Maine is home to 1,600 manufacturers. Total output from manufacturing was $6.31 billion in 2018. There were an average of 54,600 manufacturing employees working in Maine in 2018. The average annual compensation was $64,675 in 2017.

The jobs are in defense, aerospace, metal, paper, marine and boat building, semi-conductors, wood, textile, aquaculture, biotech, medical device, electronics, RF and wireless communications, plastics, composites and bioplastics and food-and-beverages.

The Manufacturers Association of Maine and its partner associations gather input on top issues and challenges from the full range of manufacturing sectors. The goal is to leverage the strengths of these organizations, avoid duplication of effort and promote a coordinated manufacturing support strategy.

For years, the annual Maine Manufacturing Summit has produced a report highlighting the top issues and challenges for the manufacturing sector. The top concerns continue to be workforce availability, energy costs and the cost of doing business in Maine.

In 2020, uncertainties abound, but this sector is strong and nimble.

Policy issues are a concern as more legislation is being put in place that increases the cost of doing business in Maine. To balance the environmental concerns, the cost of energy is increasing. The association continues to strive to assist in the creation or retention of 2,350 primary manufacturing jobs, increase or retention the 18-34 age group by 3% by 2024. Another task is to boost Maine’s profile as a state with business-friendly policies, with a goal of moving from No. 44 to No. 25.

We continue to implement activities with student and educator outreach, tours and classroom activities, work to increase robotics programs across the state, employ transitioning military members, new Mainers, corrections populations and others seeking meaningful employment.

— Lisa G. Martin
Executive Director of the Manufacturers Association of Maine