BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS
BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT
Puritan Medical Products Written by and photos courtesy of Puritan Medical Products Co.
PURITAN MEDICAL PRODUCTS: INC.’S “MOST IMPORTANT MANUFACTURER IN THE WORLD” HAS BEEN A MAINE INNOVATOR SINCE 1919
turned to
In truth, our recognition as an “im-
2021, Inc. Magazine—one of the most
portant” manufacturer can be traced
recognizable business magazines in the
back to Michigan over a century ago. In
world—decided to feature a “medical
1919, Lloyd Cartwright launched the Minto
supplier in remote Maine” for its “Best in
Toothpick & Specialty Company in Sagi-
Business” feature. Inc. even went so far as
naw, before bringing it to Guilford, Maine.
to award that Maine-based medical sup-
In the heart of Piscataquis County and in
plier as the “most important manufactur-
the aftermath of World War I, we manu-
er in the world.”
factured a single product: Mint-flavored
BEFORE THE CALENDARS
While there are many important manufacturers in the world—perhaps even
Why Guilford of all places? Because
more deserving nominees—we are proud
of the town’s proximity to vast stands
and humbled to be recognized for our
of northern white birch, the material
work during a challenging year. We are
we still mill on-site today. Without that
honored to represent not only Puritan
white birch, we couldn’t have become a
Medical Products, but all of Maine, as we
leading supplier of toothpicks, which al-
continue to innovate on behalf of our cus-
lowed us to expand into other product
tomers. In the Pine Tree State and beyond,
lines in the decades to follow.
millions of Americans rely on our innovation, and we will not let them down. 24
Maine State Chamber of Commerce
toothpicks. There was nothing else.
Over the years, we became Hardwood Products Company, LP, the parent
