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ASSOCIATIONS & CHAMBERS KICK-OFF "RED TAPE AUDIT" WITH NEW GOVERNOR
The Maine Business Association Roundtable (MBART) hosted a roundtable with Governor-Elect Paul Lepage and his transition team on Tuesday, November 30, 2010 in Augusta. This event kicked-off the LePage Administration's "Red Tape Audit." The Governor-elect wanted to hear from members of the business community about regulatory barriers to business/job creation and expansion. MBART, consisting of 30 associations and chambers hosted the event as a means to share with the Governor-Elect what the Maine business community sees are barriers for business growth with focus on regulatory and compliance issues. The event was coordinated by Suzanne Goucher, Maine Association of Broadcasters and David Clough, NFIB. MAMe representatives included Chip Roche, Board Chair, Steve Boulet, Past-Chair, Cheryl Bolduc and Lisa G. Martin. Chip sat at the Roundtable with twenty-eight other business leaders to share (in 90 seconds or less) what regulatory issues have contributed to the cost of doing business in Maine. Chip Roche shared that “the cost of compliance with various regulations is reported to be significantly more burdensome to small employers (<20 employees) than to large employers (>500 employees). Since the vast majority of Maine businesses are small, the cost of regulatory compliance negatively impacts the competitiveness of Maine businesses.” Chip also provided a solution that the Manufacturers Association of Maine is currently working on a “Compliance Plus Program” that addresses how companies can be in compliance and will provide training on regulatory compliance. The program is slated to kick-off in early 2011.
A MESSAGE FROM THE MEAA DIRECTOR
We’re off to a running start. Many of you attended the “Doing Business with Boeing” event and are applying on line to become a Boeing certified supplier. Let me know if I can assist you in any way.
I have uncovered two business opportunities and have forwarded the web page links of those who replied to me, to L-3 Com in Utah and SAIC, at the old Loring AFB. I will follow up with them to determine the next step in their process and keep you informed on the progress.
The Aerospace States Association (ASA) which we are a member of, sponsors design competition across the country for high school students. Last year the Falmouth High School team won the Maine competition and represented our state in the national competition held in Virginia. I attended a meeting last week at Falmouth High School and this year we have six teams competing in the state. The teams have access to Windchill, which lets them use up to date design, analysis and project software currently used in the aerospace industry. This year they will be working on a design for aircraft wings. MEAA was approached to supply judges to judge the Maine teams and determine the winner who will go to the national competition. I will send out a judging interest blurb in the near future.
U of Maine has instituted a Minor in Aeronautics for engineers and engineering students. Three courses by Dr. David S. Rubenstein, MEAA member, are offered via internet so you can take it from your office or home computer. There are 19 students enrolled in it at the University and only one enrolled from our membership. We have funding available for tuition thru a NASA/Maine Space Grant Consortium to help pay tuition for our membership. Please contact us for sign up information ASAP for the January 2011 semester. Our funding will expire in March of 2011, so now is the time to get your minor in Aeronautics.
Rich Grich – Director MEAA
BUSINESS SERVICE DIVISION
The past month has had a flurry of activity within the Business Services Division!
Compliance Plus Program (CPP): MAMe staff and members have met with the federal delegation representatives of Senator Snowe, Senator Collins and Congresswomen Pingree (and provided to the Lepage team) regarding the MAMe Compliance Plus Program. CPP, in partnership with Maine DEP and DOL, will provide compliance services and training for members!
Business Growth Services (BGS): The BGS network is working on a multitude of projects! Eighteen new projects have come in to MAMe in the past month for services ranging from ISO, Lean training, product testing, grant writing, certifications, TPM assistance and more….!
Cluster Development: Along with the MEAA, the association is busy with cluster development activities! In partnership with the Maine Wind Industry Initiative, MAMe will partner on data collection of supply chain! In partnership with USM and Bioscience Association of Maine, MAMe will apply for a feasibility study from MTI on behalf of the Medical Device Manufacturing Cluster. In partnership with a group of Maine textile companies, MAMe will apply for a feasibility study grant from MTI on behalf of the Maine Textile Consortium.
MANUFACTURERS OF MAINE GROUP TRUST
Take control of your workers’ compensation insurance costs!
Since 1993, the Manufacturers of Maine Group Trust has returned 28% of insurance premiums to its members.
To learn more about how our aggressive safety and claims management programs can put you in control of your workers’ compensation costs, please contact Steven McKay at steve.mckay@willis.com or 1-800-698-3267 ext.1013
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
Dielectric Communications, a manufacturer of broadcast antenna systems in Raymond, Maine, recently announced that it will now operate under the name of SPX Communication Technology, effective immediately.
Cianbro, a construction firm headquartered in Pittsfield, Maine, recently aquired Starcon International Inc., a Texas-based company that provides maintenance and other services to refineries and petrochemical plants across the country.
Trask-Decow Machinery in South Portland, Maine, recently won the award for Qualified Partner of the year from Efficiency Maine.
ANANIA & Associates Investment Company LLC (“AAI”), a Maine Investment Fund, is pleased to announce four of its portfolio companies recently received Maine Technology Institute awards. “We are very excited about the potential product developments in each of our portfolio companies” commented Peter V. Anania, Chairman of AAI. “These developments are a direct result of utilizing programs offered through the Maine Technology Institute (MTI). MTI’s various awards allow our companies to implement focused research and development without compromising existing resources of our ongoing operations. Partnering with groups like MTI allow Maine companies like ours to excel worldwide by creating new products, whether it be in the scientific, biotech or medical fields. The successful commercialization of these new products will lead to the creation of many, quality, good paying jobs for Maine people.”
AAI Companies Recent Highlights:
MEGA Industries LLC, Gorham, Maine received a $206,000 MTI Development Award to develop high power Circulators adding to MEGA’s competitive edge in the industry. MEGA manufactures high power (up to 11 megawatts of power) microwave components for military, scientific and commercial applications including energy research, radar systems, and satellite tracking.
mWAVE Industries LLC, Windham, Maine received a $221,000 2009 MTI Development Award to develop and commercialize an 80 GHz antenna to be used with the new 4G cell phone networks. mWAVE recently received a $2.2 million order for 5,000 of these newly designed antennas. mWave designs and manufactures point to point microwave antenna products for commercial and government applications spanning the scientific, defense, and academic communities.mWAVE Industries LLC, Windham, Maine received a $221,000 2009 MTI Development Award to develop and commercialize an 80 GHz antenna to be used with the new 4G cell phone networks. mWAVE recently received a $2.2 million order for 5,000 of these newly designed antennas. mWave designs and manufactures point to point microwave antenna products for commercial and government applications spanning the scientific, defense, and academic communities.
Biovation LLC, Boothbay, Maine received a Maine Technology Asset Fund (MTAF) award of $125,000 to fund the building of a laboratory testing facility for its product development of advanced wound care products. The Company also received a $475,000 MTI Development Award to commercialize some of the wound care products to be developed. Biovation designs and manufactures custom bio-polymer based nonwovens, fibers, films, coatings and nano-materials, for commercial applications for the food, medical, textile and scientific communities.
Grow-Tech LLC, Lisbon Falls, Maine received two MTI Seed Grant of $12,500 each, to design and build a new industrial dryer and some secondary packaging equipment for their specialized growth media plugs. Grow-Tech provides growth media solutions for leading commercial growers and propagators in horticultural, forestry and hydroponics markets around the world.
Lighthouse Imaging LLC, Portland, Maine recently unveiled a new medical device at the 2010 MEDICA trade show in Dusseldorf, Germany. The new instrument enables a hospital’s clinical engineering staff to quickly troubleshoot endoscope system illuminationproblems. Endolume™ is a portable handheld device measuring the luminous intensity of an endoscopic system’s light source, light transmission cables and/or rigid or flexible scopes. Lighthouse designs and manufactures optics for medical instrumentation such as endoscopes as well as optical testing and measuring systems sold worldwide. The company was named the Maine International Trade Center Innovator of the Year in 2010.
Maine’s Premier Private Equity Fund
AAI raised over $2,500,000 in new equity capital in 2010 to facilitate four investments in Maine companies. Currently, investment in AAI’s Fund qualifies for a 40% (of the investment) or more Seed Capital Tax Credit against the taxpayer’s Maine State Income Tax. The Fund also qualified as an approved Self-Directed IRA investment with First Trust Company of Onaga, opening up a new tax deferred investment for our investors.
SystemArchitecture.NET, a Maine-based IT consulting firm headquartered in Windham, Maine, has recently expanded its operations in response to steady growth over the past three years. “Our sales have grown an average of 40% per year over the past three years, due largely in part to our great team and loyal customers”, commented Vincent Micale, President and Founder of SystemArchitecture.NET. “The new facility (roughly 3,500 +/- square feet) will allow us to continue to grow comfortably and better service our customers. Our customer base is comprised primarily of Maine-based businesses, however we also have significant accounts in New York and in the Greater Boston area.”
“We work hard and provide excellent service at a fair price, that’s why we continue to acquire new customers and maintain the ones we’ve had for years. Similarly on the staffing side, we treat our employees very well, offering excellent benefits and opportunities for career development, so they stay with us. This results in great synergy and long-lasting relationships between our employees and our customers.” Originally launched as strictly a database and programming shop, SystemArchitecture.NET has expanded its service offering over the past few years to include network engineering, IT support, website design and internet marketing. Vincent goes on to say, “We are finding significant growth in the areas of backup solutions, business continuity and disaster recovery planning, as well as network security and threat assessment analysis. Technology is evolving rapidly, along with businesses’ reliance on their IT systems. Most small and medium sized businesses simply can’t keep up; that’s where we can help.”
The company’s engagements range from project-based work and IT-based consulting to full IT department outsourcing. “We can work with internal IT staff, providing expertise and training in areas that may be lacking, or we can be the IT department, whichever model is best for our customers”.
A bright spot in an otherwise dark economy, SystemArchitecture.NET plans to continue its growth into 2011. Located at 32 Tandberg Trail in Windham, Maine, the company welcomes visitors and is always interested in forging new partnerships with other local business.
MEAA TRAINING FUNDS STILL AVAILABLE
There are still MEAA training funds available! Contact our offices at (207) 854-2153 for more information.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
• MEMBERSHIP DRIVE—ALL MEMBERS—call to action to bring in 2 new members before end of year!
December 20th: 3pm Manufacturing Summitt Committee Meeting at MAMe
January 18th: 3pm Education Committee Meeting at MAMe
Next year, we hope you will consider volunteering! There are a number of initiatives including:
-Marketing Committee
-Legislative Action Committee
-Education & Training Committee/Industry Partnerships
-Golf & Scholarship Committee
-Business Services Committee/Manufacturing Summit Committee
And more…….
Thank you in advance for offering to participate in the Member Volunteer Program. Please click HERE to contact the MAMe office for more information and watch the newsletter calendar of events for volunteer opportunities!
The 2010 Manufacturers Association Member Volunteer Program
Our sincere thanks to all the members who participate in the Volunteer Program at the association (we list only our member companies)!
Volunteer Activities in October/November 2010
MAMe Committees:
• Health Plan Committee: Bruce Tisdale, Mountain Machine Works, Carl Paine, Maine Oxy, Neal Prescott, Prescott Associates, Cheryl Bolduc, SMI, Chip Roche, NewFab, Inc., Steve Boulet, WahlcoMetroflex, Bob Smith, D&G Machine, Tom Keller, Masters Machine
• Compliance Technical Services: Julie Churchill, Maine DEP, Chip Roche, Newfab, Inc. Norm MacIntyre, MacIntyre Consulting, Ed Kearney, Management Engineering
• Marketing Committee: Paul Tyson, Thermoformed Plastics of New England, Paul Meserve, Saunders Electronics, John McCarthy, BIW and Neal Prescott, Prescott Associates
• Central and Northern Maine Membership and Business Services: John Belding, Advanced Mfg Center/UM, Clint Strout, GPS Management, Hugh Stevens, AKT, Ron Cote, Auxilar, LLC, Darryl Boyington, Boyington Productivity Solutions, LLC
• Manufacturing Summit Committee: Neal Prescott, Prescott Associates, Grey Terry, Merrill Lynch, Ed Kearney, Management Engineering, Ron Cote, Auxilar, LLC.
• Education Committee: Ron Dupuis, IDEXX, Garret Oswald, Me. Jobs Council, Chuck Bates, GDATP, Jim Whitten, SMCC, Shawn Lagasse, ME DOE Bus & Ind. Liaison
• MEAA Steering Committee: Cheryl Bolduc, SMI, Bart Haley, Kennebec Technology, Leo Dionne, Pratt & Whitney, Norm MacIntyre, MacIntyre Consulting, Dave Rubenstein, Maine Aerospace Consulting
Cluster Development Committees:
• CEI PRIME Project Advisory Committee: Paul Meserve, Saunders Electronics