“Downeast Schooner” top Classic American Yellow Mustard, “Winter Garden” takes Bronze

EASTPORT, MAINE – Raye’s Mustard Mill has once again won international acclaim – this time for two of the stone-ground mustards produced in their authentic turn-of-the-last-century mill in Eastport.

Karen and Kevin Raye, proprietors of the historic Eastport mill, received word last week that their Raye’s “Down East Schooner” Mustard has earned the gold medal in the Classic American Yellow Mustard category at the 2009 World-Wide Mustard Competition in Napa Valley, California. Meanwhile, Raye’s “Winter Garden” Mustard, noted for its dill, garlic and celery accents, won the bronze medal in the Herb Mustard category.

This year’s medals are the latest in a long line of honors and accolades for North America’s only remaining traditional stone-ground mustard mill. The World-Wide Mustard Competition is held annually with the world’s leading mustards competing for honors. Down East Schooner has won a gold medal three of the last four years, and various Raye’s Mustards have won well over 40 prestigious national and international awards in the past few years.

“We are thrilled to continue Raye’s winning tradition,” said Karen Raye. “It’s a very competitive business, so we’re delighted that our mustards continue to stand out year after year. It’s a wonderful achievement for a little family-run mustard mill in Down East Maine, and it’s great news as we work to increase our national distribution and sales.”

“In this challenging economy, it’s great to receive this recognition,” said Kevin Raye. “These medals are a tribute not only to our unique and authentic stone-grinding process, but also to our terrific crew and the standards of excellence and quality that they work so hard help us achieve every day. We’re proud of our product and the people who help us produce it!”

A working museum, Raye’s Mustard Mill uses a cold-grind process developed in Europe during the Middle Ages. Kevin and Karen Raye are the fourth-generation of Rayes to own and operate the mill, which was originally built to supply Maine’s once-thriving sardine industry. The mill features the Pantry Store, a retail outlet and gift shop. Free tours are available. For more information, visit www.rayesmustard.com or call 1-800-853-1903.

The medals will be presented at a March 13^th ceremony at Black Stallion Winery in Napa, California.

CONTACT:
Charles “Wick” Johnson III
Kennebec Technologies
207-626-0188 ext 201
207-626-0198
clj@kennebec.com
www.kennebec.com
Augusta, ME — February 25, 2009 — Kennebec Tool & Die, Inc. is not taking the current economic crisis lying down. The high-precision machine-parts manufacturer has launched an aggressive growth strategy that includes changing its name to Kennebec Technologies, Inc., and a complete re-branding initiative.
“This change is the culmination of a two-year-long process of capital investment and internal systems integration,” said company owner and president Charles “Wick” Johnson. During that time, the company has invested more than $2.5 million in state-of-the-art manufacturing machines and integrated business systems.
“These changes and our rebranding provide a solid foundation from which to aggressively broaden our market presence,” said Johnson. “The new name better describes the scope of our expertise, which has evolved significantly over the years. Getting out there to showcase ourselves demonstrates that we’re leaning into this economy, not just hunkering down and waiting it out. We’re moving forward with purpose and vigor, which makes us the kind of partner leading manufacturing companies want to work with.”
Johnson, who bought the company in 1984, built Kennebec Tool & Die from a small shop with manual machines and systems to what it is now: a world-class, award-winning manufacturing company specializing in complex, high-precision components for aerospace, defense, alternative energy, medical, semiconductor, and telecommunications applications.
“Work is still out there to be had, in spite of the severe manufacturing decline, and we are pushing to grow our share of it”, said Johnson. “Maine is home to some of the most highly skilled and motivated workers in the country, and we tell that story everywhere we go.”
Investments Kennebec Technologies made in recent years to upgrade its highly sophisticated engineering, production, and quality-control technology enable the company to produce complex parts to very tight tolerances quickly and efficiently. With bar-fed milling and turning (done-in-one) machining centers, they can produce complex parts completely in one operation, with a solid piece of material going in, and a finished part coming out.
“I am very enthusiastic about what new technology allows us to do,” said Johnson. “But I credit the company’s success to our employees. Their talent, skill, motivation, and dedication are critical to delivering high-quality product and service to our customers. Machines alone can’t do that.”
ABOUT Kennebec Technologies — Established in 1972, Kennebec Technologies is a full-service high-precision machine products manufacturer specializing in complex, high-value-added parts and assemblies for the aerospace, defense, alternative energy, medical, semiconductor, and telecommunications industries.
For additional information about Kennebec Technologies, contact Wick Johnson, or visit www.kennebec.com.

- END -