BRUNSWICK, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) toured Mölnlycke Health Care and RollEase, two Brunswick-based businesses that have developed innovative strategies to grow their companies, create good-paying jobs, and support the local economy.

“Right here in Brunswick, we are seeing how companies are investing in new, 21^st century technologies and utilizing workforce development programs to compete in today’s globalized economy,” Senator King said. “And in doing so, they’re providing good-paying jobs and excellent benefits that will directly support and grow the local economy. Companies like Mölnlycke and RollEase are on the front lines of innovation, and it is my hope that the federal government can be an effective partner in supporting them as they work to expand and create jobs. I will continue to promote policies in the Senate, from lowering energy costs to making taxes more sensible, that will help bolster local businesses and our economy.”

Senator King first visited Mölnlycke Health Care’s newly-upgraded facility at Brunswick Landing. A world-leading producer of single-use surgical and wound care products, Mölnlycke recently invested $47 million into its Brunswick facility, which has created 50 jobs over the past two years. During the tour with the company’s leadership, Senator King discussed several issues, including workforce development, energy costs, the challenge of recruiting qualified staff, and the medical device tax. As a producer of medical products, the company is subject to the medical device tax, which funds the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Senator King underscored the importance of the tax to fund the ACA, but suggested that a modification to raise the threshold so that it begins at $2.5 million in annual sales may be a way to support smaller, more innovative businesses, without creating a tax cliff that discourages growth.

“I was deeply impressed by the technology, innovation, and passion of these two companies and excited about the contributions they were making and will continue to make to the region and to Maine,” Senator King said. “I’m also excited to see Brunswick Landing truly coming to life and contributing so much to the local economy.”

Senator King then visited RollEase’s new Product Innovation Center at Brunswick Landing, a location which gives the company close proximity to like-minded advanced manufacturing and technology companies and colleges. A leader in custom window treatment component design and development, RollEase opened its Innovation Center in April 2014. The 11,000 square foot facility serves as the company’s Research and Development hub and includes state-of-the-art prototyping equipment and extensive testing capabilities. During the tour, Senator King and the company’s leadership team discussed the company’s continued effort to move forward with energy efficiency measures and its strategy to hire employees. The company, with support from federal grants allocated through the Coastal Counties Workforce, provides employees with on-the-job workforce development training that equips them with the skills to operate the company’s state-of-the-art equipment. Senator King strongly supports the workforce development grants utilized by RollEase and other companies across the state.

At Mölnlycke, Senator King tests a high-tech wound care product known as a Mepilex (R) Border with Mark Dignum, Site Director, and Todd Buchheit, Quality Director for US Manufacturing.

Senator King poses with RollEase’s staff following his tour of their Product Innovation Center at Brunswick Landing.

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