PORTLAND, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) toured Arundel Machine Tool Co. Inc. where he met with management and employees, surveyed the precision manufacturing operation, and learned more about the company’s unique partnership with Thornton Academy that enables high school students to gain valuable, hands-on manufacturing experience through an internship and collaborative classwork. The tour of Arundel Machine followed a visit to Thornton Academy earlier in the day as well as a roundtable on college affordability where Senator King discussed programs, like this one, to ease the transition from high school to college to the workforce.

“Manufacturers like Arundel Machine propel our economy forward with their precision products continuing to impress industry partners in Maine and across the country,” Senator King said. “But it’s also their innovative educational partnerships, like the one with Thornton Academy that I learned more about today, that are giving students a leg-up. When we give our students the chance to get a good education and learn valuable skills, Maine succeeds and our companies – like this one – can compete in the global economy.”

Arundel Machine offers Thornton Academy students the opportunity to train in precision manufacturing through an internship and collaborative classwork. The process starts during the students’ sophomore year of high school, and culminates in a work certification. The company also has similar relationships with York County Community College, Sanford Regional Technical Center, and Biddeford Regional Center of Technology.

Founded in 1984 by Ray Bertrand, Arundel Machine is a second generation business with Ray’s son, Marcel, at the helm as Owner and President. The company manufactures and tools a broad array of products for the aerospace, defense, medical, automotive, and other industries at their 40,000 square foot facility in Arundel.

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