Auburn Manufacturing, Luke’s Lobster Seafood Co. and Thornton Academy are among the 2019 International Trade and Investment Awards honorees, unveiled by the Maine International Trade Center on Tuesday.

The three, along with ND Paper/Nine Dragons Paper (Holdings) Ltd., a Chinese-owned investor in mills in Rumford and Old Town, are being recognized for their commitment to growth in international markets.

Last year, 2,087 Maine companies exported $2.7 billion in goods and services to 169 countries. Top exports are seafood, semiconductors, aircraft parts and forest products.

Auburn Manufacturing, led by 2018 Mainebiz Business Leader of the Year honoree Kathie Leonard, was named Exporter of the Year, awarded to a manufacturer that has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to international trade through increased exports.

The maker of heat-resistant textiles has plants in Mechanic Falls and Auburn.

“Not everyone is going to work in IT or science,” Leonard said in a news release announcing the awards. “Manufacturing jobs are good jobs. They pay a living wage with good benefits, and we need that for a lot of people in this country.”

Read full article in Mainebiz