UMaine Composites Center To Receive “Innovator of the Year” Award by the Maine International Trade Center

The Advanced Structures and Composites Center will receive the Maine International Trade Center (MITC) “Innovator of the Year” award during Maine International Trade Day on May 25, at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine.

“It’s a great honor for the UMaine Advanced Structures and Composites Center to be recognized for working with more than 500 international and national companies, including more than 150 Maine companies, to develop new products, reach new markets, and expand their international reach. This award truly goes to our world-leading students, faculty, and staff for their incredible work, as well as the more than 2,000 students who have worked at our lab since opening in 2000,” said Dr. Habib Dagher, P.E., Executive Director of the University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center. 

A press release from MITC is provided, below:

Maine Companies Succeeding in Global Markets Announced as Winners of International Trade and Investment Awards

(Portland, Maine) Maine International Trade Center (MITC) is announcing the winners of the 2017 International Trade and Investment Awards. The awards will be officially presented during Maine International Trade Day on May 25, at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine.

Trade Day 2017 – “Charting a Course in the Changing EU” – is the premiere international business event in Northern New England. The company winners of this year’s awards have all made a commitment to growing their business in Europe. Maine saw a 20% increase in exports to the EU in 2016. Now, Brexit is changing the landscape in the EU, providing both challenges and new opportunities for Maine companies. 

Exporter of the Year – Yale Cordage, Saco, ME

The Exporter of the Year Award is awarded to a manufacturer that has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to international trade through increased exports.

Yale Cordage products can be found in outer space and deep oceans, mines 8,000 feet underground, scientific experiments researching the origins of the universe, as well as running rigging on local sail boats. They build high performance synthetic ropes and rope systems that are used in national defense, science and industry, sport and recreation, and professional arboriculture. 

Yale Cordage exports its rope products to more than thirty countries around the globe. A significant portion of its export business has been to countries in the EU.  

“The change in the Euro value to the US dollar is an area to watch, and the effects of Brexit are of particular interest. Our historical export business to the UK has been very strong, and we are very concerned about currency changes between the USD, Euro, and GB pound. We feel that strong relationships with our customers, great products, and the guidance and assistance from MITC to explore new markets can help navigate the changing economic climate in the EU. It is a great honor to be recognized by MITC as Exporter of the Year. To be named is recognition of the hard work by all of the team at Yale Cordage to build and supply high quality specialty products to customers throughout the world,” said William Putnam, President of Yale Cordage.

(Contact: Skip Yale, 207-282-3396, syale@yalecordage.com)

Service Provider of the Year – Verrill Dana, Portland, ME 

The Service Provider of the Year Award is presented to a service provider that has established an international presence for the export of their service.

From Iceland to Finland and even Norway, Verrill Dana attorneys have traveled throughout the North Atlantic to support the connections between Maine and the North Atlantic and gain insight into the region. The firm, with more than 130 attorneys from Portland to Washington, D.C., has made a strong commitment to this region of growing international importance. Verrill Dana also welcomed members of the Arctic Council to Maine in October.

“With economic activity in the North Atlantic accelerating, new opportunities are coming to Maine in areas such as marine technology, life sciences, and aquaculture. We are proud to be at the forefront of these developments and serve as a critical resource for not only Maine businesses looking to grow internationally, but also for international businesses looking to come to Maine,” said K.C. Jones, Managing Partner of Verrill Dana. 

(Contact: Gretchen Johnson, 207-774-4000, gjohnson@verrilldana.com)

Innovator of the Year – University of Maine Advanced Structures and Composites Center, Orono, ME

The Innovator of the Year Award is awarded to a company or organization in Maine that has accessed international markets through new and innovative processes or products.

Using 3-D printers, robots, and digital tools the newest state of the art lab at the Advanced Structures and Composites Center at the University of Maine will officially open this summer. 

The Alfond Advanced Manufacturing Laboratory for Structural Thermoplastics is a demonstration lab that will test new ways to improve manufacturing. Thermoplastics are recyclable materials that will transform composite materials used in cars, ships, boats, and aerospace applications. Thermoplastic composites are low cost, low weight, recyclable, and corrosion resistant.

In partnership with industry, this facility will lead future thermoplastic composites manufacturing research and serve as a test bed for manufacturing solutions and training. This innovative new lab is part of the Advanced Structures and Composites Center that works with entities from around the world to bring advanced materials into construction. The Center has 180 full and part-time employees and is housed in a 100,000 ft. world-leading laboratory at the University of Maine.  

“It’s a great honor for the UMaine Advanced Structures and Composites Center to be recognized for working with more than 500 international and national companies, including more than 150 Maine companies, to develop new products, reach new markets, and expand their international reach. This award truly goes to our world-leading students, faculty, and staff for their incredible work, as well as the more than 2,000 students who have worked at our lab since opening in 2000,” said Dr. Habib Dagher, P.E., Executive Director of the University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center. 

(Contact: Josh Plourde, (207) 581-2117jp@maine.edu )

Foreign Direct Investor of the Year – C & L Aviation Group, Bangor, ME

The Foreign Direct Investor of the Year Award is presented annually to recognize foreign-owned companies that have made a strategic decision to invest in Maine by either opening a plant or enhancing their existing operations here.

On most Monday mornings you will find a new employee starting their job with C&L Aviation Group in Bangor. The aircraft maintenance facility has grown from a few dozen workers seven years ago to more than 200 today, and the number continues to expand.

 In 2010, Chris Kilgour purchased Telford Aviation, an aircraft maintenance facility located at Bangor International Airport, and moved the headquarters of the company to Bangor, Maine. The newly formed C&L Aviation Group, a global aviation services and aftermarket-support provider for regional and corporate aircraft specializing in quality parts, service, sales, leasing, maintenance, aircraft refurbishment, and aircraft re-marketing has been expanding since. The facility has grown from a one hangar operation to a new location with four hangers, a world-class aircraft painting facility, aircraft interiors shop, and corporate offices with more facilities growth scheduled.

“I am proud of how we have been able to grow the company here in Maine over the past several years. Having a dedicated workforce and support here in Bangor has helped us to expand globally with existing services, while also moving into new areas of the aviation industry. It’s a really exciting time for us,” said Chris Kilgour, CEO, C&L Aerospace.

(Contact: Pat Lemieux, (207) 217 6147, Pat.L@CLA.Aero

During the Award Luncheon at Trade Day 2017, individual awards will also be presented.  The President’s Award will recognize MITC Board Treasurer Joe Mooney, TD Bank, and MITC Board Chair John Wolanski, GAC Chemical Corporation for exceptional support to Maine International Trade Center.  Former MITC intern Luke Middleton will receive the Future Global Leader Award in recognition of his outstanding efforts as a Research Assistant.  

To learn more about Trade Day 2017 and register, visit www.mitc.com

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