MECHANIC FALLS — Auburn Manufacturing Inc. — which manufactures advanced textiles for extreme-heat environments — has been named one of the Export-Import Bank of the United States’ “Exporters of the Year.”
AMI was given the award at EXIM’s 2023 Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. in October.
The EXIM conference focused on its “Make More in America Initiative,” namely the importance of supporting U.S. manufacturing, supply chains, and American jobs. EXIM’s overarching theme —“Create Locally, Export Globally” — is embodied by AMI, a Maine textile manufacturer with over four decades of experience, according to a news release.
The company is a leading producer of fire- and heat-resistant materials, manufacturing the most advanced products to meet U.S. safety standards and exporting them to over 30 countries around the world. AMI textiles are used as protection from extreme high heat by the defense industrial base, as well as other critical industries like primary metals, power generation, and aerospace.
In recent years, AMI has also taken a strong stand against Chinese “dumping” of silica fabric in the U.S. market, advocating for fair, rules-based trade. Because of AMI’s advocacy, the U.S. Department of Commerce and U.S. Customs and Border Protection have shined a light on China’s unfair trade practices, even attracting the White House’s attention. President Joe Biden visited AMI’s Auburn plant this past July, touting the company’s unique ability to adapt and “[weather] decades of economic storms.”
“We are incredibly grateful to EXIM for highlighting our work as an American exporter,” said Kathie Leonard, president and CEO of AMI. “Facing all kinds of adversity—at home and abroad—over the decades, our team has shown incredible resilience and dedication to the task at hand, whatever the task may be. All of the credit goes to my hardworking employees, who not only continue to provide our customers with the very best products, but also make the customer service process enjoyable on a day-to-day basis.”
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