Hold For Release Until After 6:30 pm on June 10, 2004
 

Four Maine Businesses Recognized by Maine International Trade Center

Portland, ME - At the Awards Ceremony during Maine International Trade Day on June 10^th, the Maine International Trade Center will recognize four outstanding Maine companies with the 2004 Maine International Trade & Investment Awards.  The awards and award winners are as follows:

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

This year’s recipient will be Hussey Seating Company of North Berwick. Hussey Seating Company has won recent lucrative contracts in Vilnius, Lithuania as well as in Belgrade, Serbia and elsewhere in traditionally challenging markets throughout the world.  The company has doubled their export sales over the past year.

Hussey Press Contact:  Craig Davis, Marketing/Communications Manager 207/676-2271 x 242

International Service Provider of the Year: Awarded to a service provider that has established an international presence for the export of their service.

This year’s recipient will be The Telford Group of Bangor.  The Telford Group has developed significant service markets for aircraft maintenance and parts in Scandinavia, Canada, Asia, Western Europe and South America. The company was a highly successful participant in the 2003 Maine Gubernatorial Trade Mission to Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Telford Press Contact:  Bob Ziegelaar, President 207/262-6098

International Innovator of the Year: Awarded to a company or organization in Maine that has accessed international markets through new and innovative processes or products.

 This year’s recipient will be Correct Building Products of Biddeford.  Correct Building Products has developed a high quality composite lumber product. In five short years, this innovative product has become a brand name the world over in the composite decking market.

Correct Building Products Press Contact:  Martin Grohman, President  207/ 286-3968

Foreign Investor of the Year: The Foreign 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. Companies are not recognized merely for the fact of purchasing an existing facility.  They have to go above and beyond that by making a direct investment commitment back into the facility, and displaying an overall commitment to the community.

 This year’s recipient will be BRASCAN Corporation of Toronto, ONT Canada.  It is for their investments in the Katahdin Region in Maine, the sizable improvements they have made to their Maine assets and for their long-term commitment and dedication to the Millinocket area that BRASCAN Corporation is receiving this award. 

BRASCAN Press Contact: Dottie Hutchins 207/487-3111

 The Awards Program will begin at 5:30pm at the Marriott at Sable Oaks in South Portland.

 The Maine International Trade Center is a public/private partnership providing international trade development assistance to Maine businesses.  The Trade Center is a member-based organization with offices in Portland, Lewiston and Bangor.

 MITC CONTACT:  Dana Eidsness, 207/650-5676, Email: eidsness@mitc.com

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Maine International Trade Center                  511 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101