Governor LePage Congratulates Maine Wood Concepts for Creating Jobs Through Innovation

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage was on hand yesterday to congratulate Maine Wood Concepts of New Vineyard for being chosen by the Maine Wood Products Association as the 2013 Pine Tree Award winner. The honor is bestowed annually to Maine-based wood products manufacturers who have grown their businesses through innovation.

“Over the last six months this company has added more than 30 jobs and made significant capital investment to expand their product lines,” said Governor LePage. “It is critical that we improve Maine’s business climate to ensure businesses like Maine Wood Concepts can stay and expand in Maine, hire Maine people and grow their business and community.”

Maine Wood Concepts is the leading U.S. manufacturer of custom wood turnings, wood tool handles and custom molded wood parts. The company now employs 105 peopleundefinedsignificantly more than the 70 employed just over six months ago at the end of 2012.

The Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) has worked with the company to qualify it for Maine’s Pine Tree Development Zone (PTDZ) incentive program, which provides up to 10 years of income and sales tax benefits to qualified companies. In 2012, the company earned PTDZ certification, projecting nearly $1.4 million in new investment and at least five new hires. Its hiring goals have already been exceeded.

DECD Director of Business Development & Innovation Brian Whitney also attended the award ceremony at the University of Maine at Farmington. “I was excited to join Doug Fletcher, president of Maine Wood Concepts, and his employees and friends for the well-deserved recognition by the members of the Maine Wood Products Association,” said Whitney. “Companies like Maine Wood Concepts are the lifeblood of Maine’s economy and deserve our gratitude for the jobs they create, the quality products they manufacture and the many contributions they make to Maine and its economy.”