PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The Acme Monaco Corp., which makes medical hardware, was the only manufacturing company in Maine to be awarded the prestigious 2021 Governor’s Award for Business Excellence.
The Governor’s Award is given out annually to businesses fitting one of three categories: heritage industry, rural revitalization or innovation. Gov. Janet Mills and the Maine Department of Economic and Business Development Commissioner Heather Johnson presented the award to Acme Monaco via Zoom in the category of heritage business.
Acme Monaco, which does business in 22 countries around the world, is located in the Skyway Industrial Park in Presque Isle and headquartered in New Britain, Connecticut. The company manufactures millions of archwires and auxiliary pieces that go into orthodontic braces, but not the actual brackets. It also makes catheter guidewires. The company is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of this equipment.
“As we continue our work to strengthen Maine’s economy and make Maine more competitive across the world, these businesses are a critical part of our effort. I congratulate them on this well-deserved honor,” Mills said.
Acme Monaco employs 52 people in the Presque Isle plant, and wants to fill 15 more positions in order to better meet worldwide demand, in both entry and experienced levels.
The company is owned by the Karabin family with origins dating back to the 1940s. Acme Monaco has supported Presque Isle area causes including Hope & Justice and the Presque Isle Humane Society.
Its employee-led Sunshine Committee meets quarterly to determine what programs the company supports. The company also presents an annual scholarship to a graduating Presque Isle High School senior.
“It was a tremendous honor, and was just the best news when we got the phone call from the DECD,” Acme Monaco co-president Rebecca Karabin-Ahern said. “We were the only manufacturer in the state that won, and it was a huge boost for our team who have been working so hard. It’s just fantastic and well deserved by our team.”
The Karabin siblings said there is a lot of competition in this industry, but with record orders and sales coming in, the family is confident they will continue to find more success.