The Maine International Trade Center named Portland-based lobster dealer and processor Ready Seafood the state’s Exporter of the Year in its 2015 International Trade and Investment Awards, announced Wednesday.

The trade center lauded Ready Seafood in a news release for becoming one of Maine’s leading seafood exporters with more than 50 employees, shipping “millions of pounds of live lobsters to nearly every corner of the world.” The company also has established two spinoff businesses selling direct-to-consumer and frozen lobster products, it said.

The trade center named Oceanair Inc. Maine’s Service Provider of the Year for the company’s success in exporting its services overseas. Based in Revere, Massachusetts, with an office in Falmouth, Oceanair is one of the largest independently owned freight forwarding services, with more than 100 employees, it said.

This year’s Innovator of the Year Award goes to Hodgdon Yachts in East Boothbay. Despite being the oldest boat builder in the U.S., the family-owned company continues to innovate by working with advanced hull materials and design, according to the trade center.

Finally, the trade center named Mexico-based industrial pigments maker Dalegip America Inc. the state’s Foreign Direct Investor of the Year. Dalegip signed a contract in 2013 with GAC Chemical Corp. to build a new chemical reactor plant at its Searsport facility, creating up to 20 new jobs. The contract represents Maine’s first investment from Mexico, the trade center said.

The awards will be presented officially during Maine International Trade Day, May 21, at the Samoset Resort in Rockport.


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