Top 10 Manufacturing Companies in Maine

Above a look inside an ND Paper facility. ND Paper, LLC's Rumford Mill ranks as Maine's 5th largest industrial employer. (Image courtesy of ND Paper, LLC)

Maine is home to a diverse set of industrial enterprises, from L.L. Bean’s footwear empire to major defense contractors like Bath Iron Works and Pratt & Whitney. With its abundant natural resources and highly educated workforce, the state has come a long way in recent decades in attracting and supporting advanced manufacturing companies, while maintaining a stronghold in its traditionally dominant paper and food processing sectors.

This article will explore the latest trends and statistics in Maine’s industrial sector and examine the top manufacturing companies in Maine’s manufacturing sector.

Key Facts on Maine’s Manufacturing Sector

According to MNI, compiler of the industrial information that powers IndustrySelect, Maine is currently home to 1,591 manufacturing companies employing 62,547 workers.

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According to MNI, Bath is Maine’s largest city based on number of industrial jobs, with 7,483 workers.

Read more: Top Manufacturing Cities in the U.S.

Other top cities in Maine include

• Portland (4,164 jobs)
• Westbrook (4,038 jobs)
• Auburn (2,585 jobs)
• North Berwick (2,442 jobs)

Cumberland County is Maine’s largest in terms of manufacturing jobs, home to 19,408 workers. This is followed by York County with 8,694 workers, and Androscoggin County with 7,438 workers. Sagadahoc County is home to 6,438 industrial workers, and Penobscot is home to 5,144.

The transportation equipment industry ranks as Maine’s largest industrial sector based on number of jobs, employing 18% of the state’s industrial workers. This is followed by food processing with 12%; and lumber and wood products with 10%. Industrial machinery and equipment accounts for 8% of Maine’s industrial workforce, as does the printing and publishing industry.

MNI reports there are 5,784 executive contacts among Maine’s manufacturing companies, including 822 presidents, 764 owners and partners; 373 vice-presidents and 385 sales, marketing and purchasing executives.

Related: Top Manufacturing Companies in New England

Other facts to know about Maine manufacturers, based on IndustrySelect’s advanced criteria available to subscribers, include ownership, distribution and other trends. Let’s take a look:

• 2% of Maine manufacturers are women-owned
• 6% are publicly owned companies
• 9% import raw materials
• 21% distribute their products internationally.

Next, we’ll take a look at the state’s top companies.

Top 10 Manufacturing Companies in Maine

About the Top 10 Manufacturing Companies in Maine

1. Bath Iron Works (Bath, ME)

Established in 1884, Bath Iron Works is a sprawling shipyard and major defense contractor. Employing 7,400, this producer of naval ships and destroyers is Maine’s largest industrial employer.

2. IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (Westbrook, ME)

At this 250,000 square facility in Westbrook, IDEXX Laboratories produces veterinary, clinical and environmental diagnostic and quality testing equipment. Employing 2,500, the company is Maine’s second-largest industrial employer.

3. Pratt & Whitney. (North Berwick, ME)

Consistent with Maine’s stronghold in the transportation and aerospace industry, Pratt & Whitney operates a massive 1 million-square foot facility in North Berwick, where 2,000 workers produce aircraft engine parts.

4. Hardwood Products Co, Inc. LLC (Guilford, ME)

Home to 1,000 workers, Hardwood Products Co., Inc. is a leader in woodenware for the food and medical industry. At this 120,000 square-foot plant workers produce everything from tongue depressors to ice cream sticks and corn dog skewers. Established in 1919, the facility also serves as the company’s headquarters.

5. Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC. (South Portland, ME)

Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC is a major semiconductor supplier headquartered in Phoenix. The company’s South Portland facility employs 850 and produces semiconductor integrated circuits.

6. Sappi North America (Skowhegan, ME)

Sappi North America is Maine’s second-largest pulp mill and its seventh-largest industrial employer. Established in 1936, this facility produces pulp and coated fine paper as well as chemical cellulose.

7. ND Paper, LLC, Rumford Mill (Rumford, ME)

Maine has a long tradition in paper making, and ND Paper in Rumford is among the state’s historically been known for its abundant paper and pulp mills, and ND Paper, LLC is the state’s largest mills, employing 650. Established in 1901, ND Paper produces coated one and two sided paper, specialty papers and market pulp. At this facility, three paper machines and two kraft pulp lines produce 550,000 tonnes/year of specialty products and 120,000 tonnes/yr of kraft pulp.

8. Stonewall Kitchen, LLC (York, ME)

Stonewall Kitchen, LLC is a leading producer of specialty and gourmet foods, such as jams, sauces, condiments, and baking mixes. Founded in 1991, the company started as a stall at a local farmers market and now sells in 42 countries. The company also offers kitchenware, tableware, gifts, and gift baskets. This Stonewall Kitchen production facility employs 650 in York.

9. Lepage Bakeries, Inc. (Auburn, ME)

Employing 600 in Auburn, Lepage Bakeries is a major producer of bakery products, breads, and rolls, with international distribution.

10. Panolam Surface Systems (Auburn, ME)

Rounding out our top 10 list is Panolam Industries, a provider of decorative laminates & treated paper. The company’s facility encompasses 630,000 square feet in Auburn and employs 500.

Interested in other states? Browse all of our state news here.

Looking for Industrial Sales Leads in Maine?

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