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January 9, 2012

Governor Announces Expansion of Augusta Business: New Jobs 2012

Governor's Office

Ribbon Cutting: (L to R) Charles “Wick” Johnson, Augusta Mayor Bill Stokes, Governor LePage, and Maurice Dube of the SBA

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For Immediate Release: Monday, January 9, 2012
Contact: Adrienne Bennett (207) 287-2531

AUGUSTA – On Monday, Governor LePage officiated over the opening of a new manufacturing wing at Kennebec Technologies. The expansion is expected to create five to ten new jobs at the company. Located in Augusta, Kennebec Technologies manufactures components for prime contractors and sub-contractors with end use customers being companies like Boeing, GE, ITT, Textron, Rolls Royce and Pratt & Whitney.

Charles “Wick” Johnson, Kennebec Technologies president, describes this as a very exciting and rewarding time. “It has been our goal to continuously improve and to be a superior supplier to our customers while providing a first class working environment for our employees. The opportunities we are seeing to today are very significant and we are projecting consistent growth for at least the next five years,” Johnson said.

In the Shop: David Gay, a 25-year employee at Kennebec Technologies shows Governor LePage the component he made.

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Today, the high precision manufacturing company employs sixty-three employees. Johnson anticipates the expansion will lead to more job creation in 2012 which could boost the number of workers to seventy-five.

Since changing from Kennebec Tool and Die to Kennebec Technologies in 2009 the company has completed a transformation begun 15 years ago. All production offices have been renovated, the shop floor has been air conditioned and 4,000 sq. ft. of new space is ready for occupancy. Since the recession of 2009 the company has hired or re-hired twenty five employees and has invested over $2 million in advanced manufacturing systems and equipment. Both hiring and the acquisition of new technology will continue as the company moves forward in 2012.

Governor Paul LePage congratulated Kennebec Technologies pointing out that these investments, and the jobs created by this expansion will be important to not only Central Maine’s economy, but Maine’s economy as a whole. “This Administration is focused on making state government a partner with the private sector, and embracing the ambition of Maine’s job creators, putting Maine people back to work,” said the Governor.