Auburn Manufacturing

Auburn Manufacturing Inc. is a U.S. company based in Mechanic Falls, Maine.[1][2] The company produces heat- and fire-resistant fabrics for industrial use, supplying the United States Navy and other customers.[3][4] Auburn Manufacturing services industries such as glassmaking, mining, and shipbuilding.[5]

Founded in 1979, Auburn Manufacturing is known for its disputes with Chinese competitors over unfair trade practices.[6][7] The company manufactures amorphous silica fabric and other products, which it sells to 30 countries.[8][9] In 2022, Auburn Manufacturing experienced double-digit growth, citing "strong global demand."[10]

In July 2023, President Joe Biden visited Auburn Manufacturing, praising the company for weathering “decades of economic storms.”[11][12] Lauding Auburn Manufacturing’s record, Biden noted that 2023 has been the company’s best year to date.[13] Kathie Leonard, owner of Auburn Manufacturing, claimed, “[Biden's] focus on domestic manufacturing has increased demand for products like ours.”[14] CNN subsequently highlighted Auburn Manufacturing as an example of America's "factory boom."[15] Celebrating the growth of blue-collar work during his visit, Biden pointed to rising investments in construction projects by Auburn Manufacturing and other companies.[16]

Leadership

Auburn Manufacturing is owned by Leonard, who serves as president and CEO.[17][18] Leonard founded the company at the age of 27, growing it into a business with two locations and about 50 employees.[19][20]

Before Auburn Manufacturing, Leonard began her career at a Lewiston, Maine mill that produced an industrial fabric to replace asbestos.[21] She is an advocate for female entrepreneurship, saying that it creates “ladders for women.”[22] According to the Lewiston Sun Journal, “With Leonard at the helm, AMI has become an internationally recognized source for the highest-grade materials.”[23] Leonard believes the company is well-equipped to weather recessions, saying that, "We've been through ups and downs."[24]

Kris Profenno serves as Auburn Manufacturing's shipping and logistics coordinator, working with Roger Millett to ensure product deliveries are intact and on time.[25]

Auburn Manufacturing is critical of “China’s cheating” when it comes to trade, and the company has secured two legal victories against Chinese competitors.[26][27][28] The first victory came in 2017, after Leonard took on China in a trade lawsuit that found silica products to be subsidized by the Chinese government and “dumped” into the U.S. market.[29] The second victory came in 2023, when the U.S. Department of Commerce determined that Chinese dumping negatively affects Auburn Manufacturing and other U.S.-based manufacturers.[30]

Because of Auburn Manufacturing's legal disputes with China, the company works closely with federal lawmakers.[31][32] In addition to Biden in 2023, Sen. Angus King (I-ME) visited one of the company's plants in 2022.[33][34][35] Auburn Manufacturing also hosted former Rep. Bruce Poliquin (R-ME) in 2016.[36]

References
  1. Rogers, Kate. "How one small business struck back against Chinese dumping". CNBC. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  2. Journal, Christopher WheelockSun (2022-10-01). "Women in Small Business: Kathie Leonard created her own career ladder at Auburn Manufacturing". Lewiston Sun Journal. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  3. Borneman, Jim. "Auburn Manufacturing To Supply Protective Fabrics To U.S. Navy | Textile World". Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  4. "Auburn Manufacturing wins defense contracts". Bangor Daily News. Associated Press. 2008-12-04. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  5. Journal, Christopher WheelockSun (2023-03-19). "Working: Kris Profenno keeps products moving and on time at Auburn Manufacturing Inc". Lewiston Sun Journal. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
  6. Journal, Christopher WheelockSun (2023-02-14). "Auburn Manufacturing prevails against Chinese on silica fabric dumping". Lewiston Sun Journal. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  7. "Maine business could be a model for new federal export program launch". newscentermaine.com. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  8. Journal, Christopher WheelockSun (2023-02-14). "Auburn Manufacturing prevails against Chinese on silica fabric dumping". Lewiston Sun Journal. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  9. "Maine business could be a model for new federal export program launch". newscentermaine.com. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  10. Journal, Christopher WheelockSun (2023-03-19). "Working: Kris Profenno keeps products moving and on time at Auburn Manufacturing Inc". Lewiston Sun Journal. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
  11. WGME, Dan Lampariello (2023-07-28). "Pres. Biden touts manufacturing in Auburn, signs Executive Order to boost American made products". WGME. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  12. House, The White (2023-07-29). "Remarks by President Biden on Helping Workers and Innovators Invent and Make More in America | Auburn, ME". The White House. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  13. Journal, Christopher WheelockSun (2023-07-27). "Auburn Manufacturing Inc. has endured and persevered". Lewiston Sun Journal. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  14. Hirschkorn, Phil (2023-07-30). "President Joe Biden highlights Bidenomics, touts manufacturing growth on visit to Maine". WMTW. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  15. Mena, Bryan (2023-09-09). "America is in a factory boom again. Even a recession may not bring it down this time | CNN Business". CNN. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  16. Mena, Bryan (2023-09-09). "America is in a factory boom again. Even a recession may not bring it down this time | CNN Business". CNN. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  17. Rogers, Kate. "How one small business struck back against Chinese dumping". CNBC. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  18. "Mechanic Falls-based manufacturer wins 2nd unfair trade suit against China". Mainebiz.
  19. "At Auburn Manufacturing, Kathie Leonard stokes a global market for heat-resistant materials". Mainebiz.
  20. Snyder, Lizzy. "Young Super Fan Comes To Open Mic and Inspires Me". 92 Moose. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  21. Journal, Christopher WheelockSun (2022-10-01). "Women in Small Business: Kathie Leonard created her own career ladder at Auburn Manufacturing". Lewiston Sun Journal. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  22. Journal, Christopher WheelockSun (2022-10-01). "Women in Small Business: Kathie Leonard created her own career ladder at Auburn Manufacturing". Lewiston Sun Journal. Retrieved 2023-02-27.
  23. Journal, Christopher WheelockSun (2023-07-27). "Auburn Manufacturing Inc. has endured and persevered". Lewiston Sun Journal. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  24. Mena, Bryan (2023-09-09). "America is in a factory boom again. Even a recession may not bring it down this time | CNN Business". CNN. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  25. Journal, Christopher WheelockSun (2023-03-19). "Working: Kris Profenno keeps products moving and on time at Auburn Manufacturing Inc". Lewiston Sun Journal. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
  26. Rogers, Kate. "How one small business struck back against Chinese dumping". CNBC. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  27. Journal, Christopher WheelockSun (2023-02-14). "Auburn Manufacturing prevails against Chinese on silica fabric dumping". Lewiston Sun Journal. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  28. "Mechanic Falls-based manufacturer wins 2nd unfair trade suit against China". Mainebiz.
  29. Robinson, Steve (2023-02-15). "Maine Small Business Wins Federal Ruling in Fight Against Chinese Trade Cheating". The Maine Wire. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  30. "Auburn Manufacturing prevails against Chinese on silica fabric dumping". news.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  31. Journal, Christopher WheelockSun (2022-07-26). "Delegates from U.S. Department of Commerce visit Auburn Manufacturing". Lewiston Sun Journal. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  32. "Maine Congressional Delegation Applauds Department of Commerce Findings in Favor of Auburn Manufacturing, Inc. |". www.king.senate.gov. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  33. Boak, Josh (2023-08-04). "Joe Biden's 'Buy America' policy on infrastructure projects leads to factory jobs in Wisconsin". AP News. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  34. King toured Auburn Manufacturing today and focuses on expanding global markets for small businesses in Maine, retrieved 2023-02-24
  35. Journal, Christopher WheelockSun (2022-08-17). "Photo: Sen. Angus King tours Auburn Manufacturing plant". Lewiston Sun Journal. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  36. "Maine manufacturing company petitions for investigation into Chinese imports". newscentermaine.com. Retrieved 2023-02-27.
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