For three generations, the Albiston family has managed Maine Oxy, steadily growing the company to become a provider of welding products, industrial gases, and specialty gases throughout Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts.

Talking to Maine Oxy employees, you get the sense that this company understands the value of each of the 140 people who work there. So, when four Maine Oxy employees were called up to active duty in 2004, it was no surprise that the company stepped up to help the deployed guardsmen and their families. Sending regular care packages overseas to their employees and providing help with household needs such as chopping firewood and providing emergency furnace repairs for the families that were left behind were just a few of the ways Maine Oxy supported their active duty employees.

When they returned from their active duty tours, Maine Oxy CEO, Bruce Albiston, encouraged his employees to take as much time as they needed before returning to work and has provided flexibility for these employees so they could attend follow-up medical and other service-related appointments. "We will always feel it is our honor and duty to support all service members who have sacrificed their own rights and privileges, to keep safe the freedoms of others and all Americans," said Albiston, speaking of his company's support of veterans.

Robert Smith is a long-time Maine Oxy employee and former National Guard member deployed for 18 months beginning in 2004. Smith remembers how comforting it was knowing his civilian employer was supporting him during a long and difficult deployment, especially knowing his wife and child would have extra support if they needed it. "It is part of our culture," he says, "we take care of each other." Returning to "normal" life following the deployment was much easier for Smith and his fellow guard members knowing that their jobs and careers did not suffer because of their service to their country.

And, when Smith returned to work, Albiston said, "Guess what, now you're in charge of the care packages," and the company began sending goodies and comforts from home to soldiers fighting overseas even though all of Maine Oxy's employees were back.

The company and its leaders believe supporting veterans "is just the right thing to do." These policies are also good for business, helping maintain high morale and providing a bit of marketing edge, although Smith admits, "we don't like to brag too much."

Despite its low key approach, Maine Oxy has received significant attention for its efforts. Among their many awards, in 2008, Working Together honored the company with a special award for its support of employees returning from active military duty and in February of last year, The Employer Support of the National Guard and Reserve presented the company with two awards.

Then, in March, 2009, U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe recognized Maine Oxy in the Senate "as a company that truly looks after its own…excel[ing] in assisting its employees who serve in the military." In her remarks, Senator Snowe cited the "often overlooked" and "profound impact a deployment can have on a service member's civilian career" and highlighted Maine Oxy as a company that has made a "veritable commitment to ensuring that those serving our country are seamlessly reintegrated into the workforce upon their return from active duty and that their families are taken care of while they are gone." View the Senate Record here (pdf) or (html)

Recently, the company and its employees celebrated an early Christmas present when they learned in December that the Maine National Guard would not be called up for another tour. Of course, the company would have been ready with whatever support was needed, but they are just as glad to keep the Maine Oxy family together.