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Auburn Manufacturing

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U.S. company

Auburn Manufacturing Inc. is a U.S. company based in Mechanic Falls, Maine. The company produces heat- and fire-resistant fabrics for industrial use, supplying the United States Navy and other customers. Auburn Manufacturing services industries such as glassmaking, mining, and shipbuilding, using domestic-made materials.

Founded in 1979, Auburn Manufacturing is known for its disputes with Chinese competitors over unfair trade practices. The company manufactures amorphous silica fabric and other products, which it sells to 30 countries. In 2022, Auburn Manufacturing experienced double-digit growth, citing "strong global demand." In 2023, the company ramped up production and hiring due to demand from defense and industrial customers.

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

Leadership

Auburn Manufacturing is owned by Leonard, who serves as president and CEO. Leonard founded the company at the age of 27, growing it into a business with two locations and about 60 employees.

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

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

Legal disputes with China

Auburn Manufacturing is critical of “China’s cheating” when it comes to trade, and the company has secured two legal victories against Chinese competitors. 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. 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.

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

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. "Biden to visit Maine for first time as president, tout manufacturing gains". Yahoo News. 2023-07-28. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  7. Journal, Christopher WheelockSun (2023-02-14). "Auburn Manufacturing prevails against Chinese on silica fabric dumping". Lewiston Sun Journal. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  8. "Maine business could be a model for new federal export program launch". newscentermaine.com. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  9. Journal, Christopher WheelockSun (2023-02-14). "Auburn Manufacturing prevails against Chinese on silica fabric dumping". Lewiston Sun Journal. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  10. "Maine business could be a model for new federal export program launch". newscentermaine.com. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  11. 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.
  12. "Auburn Manufacturing ramps up production and hiring". Mainebiz. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. Journal, Christopher WheelockSun (2023-07-27). "Auburn Manufacturing Inc. has endured and persevered". Lewiston Sun Journal. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  16. Hirschkorn, Phil (2023-07-30). "President Joe Biden highlights Bidenomics, touts manufacturing growth on visit to Maine". WMTW. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  17. 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.
  18. 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.
  19. Rogers, Kate. "How one small business struck back against Chinese dumping". CNBC. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  20. "Mechanic Falls-based manufacturer wins 2nd unfair trade suit against China". Mainebiz.
  21. "At Auburn Manufacturing, Kathie Leonard stokes a global market for heat-resistant materials". Mainebiz.
  22. Snyder, Lizzy. "Young Super Fan Comes To Open Mic and Inspires Me". 92 Moose. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  23. "Auburn Manufacturing ramps up production and hiring". Mainebiz. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
  24. 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.
  25. 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.
  26. Journal, Christopher WheelockSun (2023-07-27). "Auburn Manufacturing Inc. has endured and persevered". Lewiston Sun Journal. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  27. 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.
  28. 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.
  29. Rogers, Kate. "How one small business struck back against Chinese dumping". CNBC. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  30. Journal, Christopher WheelockSun (2023-02-14). "Auburn Manufacturing prevails against Chinese on silica fabric dumping". Lewiston Sun Journal. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  31. "Mechanic Falls-based manufacturer wins 2nd unfair trade suit against China". Mainebiz.
  32. Robinson, Steve (2023-02-15). "Maine Small Business Wins Federal Ruling in Fight Against Chinese Trade Cheating". The Maine Wire. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  33. "Auburn Manufacturing prevails against Chinese on silica fabric dumping". news.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  34. Journal, Christopher WheelockSun (2022-07-26). "Delegates from U.S. Department of Commerce visit Auburn Manufacturing". Lewiston Sun Journal. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  35. "Maine Congressional Delegation Applauds Department of Commerce Findings in Favor of Auburn Manufacturing, Inc. |". www.king.senate.gov. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  36. 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.
  37. King toured Auburn Manufacturing today and focuses on expanding global markets for small businesses in Maine, retrieved 2023-02-24
  38. Journal, Christopher WheelockSun (2022-08-17). "Photo: Sen. Angus King tours Auburn Manufacturing plant". Lewiston Sun Journal. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  39. "Maine manufacturing company petitions for investigation into Chinese imports". newscentermaine.com. Retrieved 2023-02-27.
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