Bar Harbor, Maine (August 6, 2016)-Brunswick based Ray Labbe and Sons, Inc. owners Peter and Paul Labbe were honored at an industry outing in Bar Harbor for the Major Achievement in Construction (MAC) Award in their name and their late brother Ray Labbe. What makes this award so special is that it is the recognition by fellow Maine construction companies that the Labbe family business has excelled in the field of construction and made significant contributions to the industry on a statewide basis. “The Labbe Brothers deserve this award and the recognition within the construction industry, they are hard-working and give back to their community and our state,” said AGC Maine President Jon Shaw.
Over 100 members of the construction community gathered to celebrate the award. The entire Labbe family and employees who attended the event gathered at the podium to accept the award. The presentation took place at the Harborside Hotel during the weekend outing of the Associated General Contractors of Maine. Bill Purington, Board President of AGC Maine in 1995, had the honor of presenting the award. He shared stories of their late brother Ray, “Ray was President of AGC of Maine in 1999; he was past president of the Brunswick Kiwanis and recipient of the 2003 Chamber President’s Award. It has always been clear that Ray and his family are loved for what they have been, and are to the community,” Purington remarked. He went on to say, “We at Maine Drilling and Blasting are proud to see the Labbe brothers as this year’s recipient of the MAC Award. It was a great honor to work with Ray as a past president of AGC and continue to work with the Ray Labbe & Sons business today. They are very deserving of this recognition.” Past award winners include Al Bancroft (Bancroft Contracting), Eldon Morrisson (CPM Constructors), the late Bud Cianchette (Cianbro), and Bob Grondin, to name a few.
The company joined AGC Maine in 1986 and continued to participate in the Chapter’s Site Work Committee. Paul served recently as the President of Maine Aggregate Association, and Peter has served on the AGC Maine Board of Directors. Both organizations work to advance industry safety, “As a former AGC Maine Board member, safety professional, and current Director of Workforce Development at AGC Maine, it has always been clear that the Labbe brothers cared about the safety of their employees. They have committed to training at AGC Maine, which not only supports the Chapter but helps us re-invest in future training programs. It’s one thing to list safety as important to your company and another to develop a safety culture, and the Labbes have done both,” said industry veteran Don Partridge.
Ray Labbe & Sons was established in 1955 by Raymond and Madeline Labbe, parents of the current owners. Brothers Paul, Ray, and Peter purchased the family business from their parents in 1981, and in 1982 incorporated under the current name of Ray Labbe & Sons, Inc. At that time the business consisted of a backhoe, a loader, an excavator, two dump trucks, a bulldozer, and a small grader. Every year they purchased more heavy equipment and trucks, along with a quarry and two gravel pits, which allowed the company to have steady and healthy growth. With the unfortunate passing of Ray in 2004, Paul & Peter were thrust into new and challenging roles at the company. With the help of some key employees, hard work, and laborious hours, Paul & Peter methodically filled this significant loss of skills and leadership that Ray had always provided to the company.
Paul, Peter, and the late Ray Labbe have taken this small family business and made it what it is today. They employ over 50 men and women, which includes several family members, many long-term employees, and even some multi-generation employees. Without the hard work of these very dedicated & talented employees, this award would not have been possible. Honesty and exemplary work ethics shaped this company into what the community refers to as the “FLEET THAT’S HARD TO BEAT”.
For more information on the MAC award, please visit www.agcmaine.org/macaward
For Immediate Release
Contact: Matthew Marks
207-622-4741ext 101