BUSINESS PROFILES

Perkins Machine Shop

122 Madison Avenue
Madison, Maine 04950
207-696-4461

Testimonial from Dan Low, Owner

I think that the Madison area has a lot to offer. We have found a loyal clientele, as well as a dependable work force. Our business was started in 1929 by our grandfather, Martelle and his brother, Herbert Perkins. The company expanded under the ownership of the company's namesake, Donald Perkins and his brother Elwood from the mid 1940's thru to 1987. At that time, my brother John and I bought the business. All of us were born in the Madison Area. John learned the business from our uncle Don and apprenticed under him through high school. I worked here through high school and part time while going to the University of Maine at Orono in Engineering. John's wife Jill takes care of the bookkeeping for the company.

The majority of our work comes from logging contractors, sawmills, construction companies and power generation. Most of our customers are within a 50-mile radius of Madison. Many have done business with our uncles or even grandfather. While much of our work is of a repair nature, we have also designed and built several large pieces of equipment. We have built linear sawing equipment, conveyors, composting equipment and welded steel penstocks for water wheels. Our 'mainstay' work is usually of a smaller nature, but has taken on some fairly sizable projects, such as a 65-ton portable pulp slasher in use at Madison Paper Company. The majority of the machine was detailed, fabricated and machined at our shop, with the assistance of our customer and a local hydraulic firm. It's a one-of-a-kind that hasn't been matched since.

Our crew is from the local area. We pride ourselves to be able to maintain steady work for those who come to work for us. Some of our people have come to us with vocational-level training, while the majority has been trained completely in-house.  We had one employee who came to us in high school with no training. He learned the trade from Don Perkins and John, and became extremely proficient in machining and welding. He was with us 26 years.

One of the benefits to our business is the local utility, Madison Electric Works (MEW). Their power rates are among the most competitive the state, if not the entire northeast. While our power consumption is not as significant as some of the larger manufacturing facilities, it has definitely helped. MEW has also been a good customer. TDS Telephone in North Anson has also been very helpful with phone and Internet service.

John and my families have been raised here in Maine.  John and Jill's daughter, Justine, started her freshman year at URI studying pharmacy. My sons, Matthew and Chris are still in high school and grade school. Both are extremely busy in school and sports. My wife, Jean, works at an area high school in the guidance office.

We look forward to playing a role in the future success of the area, by providing quality designs, machining and fabrication services.