SANFORD, ME – In honor of National Manufacturing Day, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today attended a celebration sponsored by the Manufacturers Association of Maine (MAMe) at ODAT Machine, toured the newly-expanded Jøtul heating stove production plant in Gorham, and visited Evonik, a global leader in specialty chemicals that employs 120 people at its facility in Sanford.

The event at ODAT Machine brought together more than 75 students and teachers who, along with Senator King, worked together to build a robot in an effort to learn more about the interesting and exciting possibilities the manufacturing industry offers. Following the demonstration, Senator King also spoke about the importance of manufacturing in the United States and how science and technology education are critical to its success in the future.

“There’s just no doubt that we’ve got to make things,” Senator King said. “Here in Maine, manufacturing is a part of our history and culture, and it’s also got to be a part of the future of our economy. It was great to see students showcase their skills today, designing and building robots. All in all, a very successful National Manufacturing Day – something that’s important for Maine and the country.”

At Jøtul, owner Bret Watson led Senator King on a tour of its new facility. The company recently announced that it is moving manufacturing production of its stoves from Norway to the Maine, doubling its existing workforce of 75 people in the state.

National Manufacturing Day is a nation-wide event in which hundreds of manufacturers across North America gather at the local level to host students, teachers, parents, job-seekers, and other local community members at open houses designed to showcase modern manufacturing technology and careers.

Senator King has traveled across the state over the past few months, touring several advanced manufacturing facilities that produce a wide variety of products for different industries. At the federal level, Senator King has been pushing for greater federal investment in American manufacturing to help jumpstart the type of innovation necessary to reinvigorate the sector and help put more people back to work. To that end, he is a cosponsor of the Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act of 2013, bipartisan legislation that would establish a network of industry-led manufacturing institutes to help bridge the gap between research and development and improve access to cutting-edge equipment and capabilities. He spoke on the floor of the Senate in support of the bill earlier this year. His remarks can be viewed HERE.

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