Entrepreneur, made in America advocate, cook
Kathie Leonard pretty much wrote the book on how to be an adventurous and impactful advanced manufacturer. She founded Auburn Manufacturing, Inc. (AMI) in Maine in 1979, when women owned only 4 percent of U.S. businesses and relatively far fewer in manufacturing. AMI produces extreme heat- and fire-resistant textile products for large and small companies around the globe. When many other textile manufacturers began outsourcing work overseas to save money, Kathie staunchly refused.
When the country saw an increase in inexpensive fabric imports, Kathie led the charge against such practices, which resulted in tariffs on fabric imports which helped protect American manufacturers.
Her role in fighting for domestic manufacturing was so impactful that President Biden visited AMI in 2023 and used the occasion to sign the “Invent it Here, Make it Here” Executive Order. The President pointed out Maine lost nearly 45,000 manufacturing jobs between 1990 and 2010 and cited AMI as a success story.
Kathie still runs the company of about 50 employees that serves shipbuilding and repair, automotive, aerospace, petroleum, power generation, foundry and metal fabrication, and institutional markets. AMI is a member of AFFOA, which is focused on advancing the development of textile-based products with transformative capabilities to meet defense and consumer needs. Applications for her American company's goods range from healthware products that dispense medicine through clothing to fabrics that monitor the stress levels of warfighters. For her consistent dedication to advanced manufacturing, Kathie Leonard is a Modern Maker.
Q&A with Kathie
How did you find your way to working in advanced manufacturing?
I was fortunate to get a full scholarship to a community college. I wanted to be a journalist, but the guidance office recommended that I include technical writing and more math and business courses, due to my strong math skills. Soon after graduation, I soon moved from Florida to Maine and immediately took a job at a textile mill that was entering new markets with an alternative to asbestos textiles. My job was to work with market specialists from fiber producers to aid in the business development of those products. Given my background, I was able to use my math and technical writing skills to create brochures, trade show exhibits, and even write articles for trade magazines. I was hooked!
After several years at that job, I started AMI with a business partner to focus entirely on heat-resistant textiles for industry. We began making narrow tapes but soon branched out to make broad fabrics, ropes, and fabricated products to meet a wide variety of applications. I also went back to college to study business management in my “free time.” That included management courses, accounting, and economics. However, my passion has always been in the marketing of our products. Our tagline is “Innovation on Fire” to remind us that we cannot stop looking forward towards new products, production processes, and applications.
What is the most challenging part of your job?
To develop products using new fibers, coatings, and processes. It's difficult to convince large companies to invest in such activities with a small company. We must find ways to collaborate with other companies and institutions to grow new markets.
What is the best part of your job?
I love learning about new applications that need heat protection, like battery storage, for instance.
What would people be surprised to learn about manufacturing or your role in it?
I don't have a chemical or textile degree. I also did not inherit the company from my dad – I started it myself!
What advice do you have for someone new to the industry?
Making industrial textiles can be fun as long as you remain curious about new applications, markets, and input materials. That's not always easy, because many customers purchase the same items again and again. That's great, but at the same time, you need to keep looking for new products to make for new markets.
What makes you excited to go to work?
We always have projects we're working on to move the company forward. I'm always anxious to begin a new week to take another step in the future.
If you didn’t have to work, how would you spend your day?
After cleaning out all my closets? I don't know what would come next – maybe working as a short-order cook?
What activity gives you the most energy?
I am very conscious of maintaining healthy habits, such as food, exercise, and rest. I now cook almost all of my own food.
What hobbies make you better at your career?
Cooking and entertaining help keep me creative and friendly.
How does the work you do impact the world?
We save people, plants, and equipment from extreme heat and fire.
