Maurice Cote

The owner of Pamco, Maurice “Moe” Cote worked at the shoe machine part facility with his father Paul Cote. Both of his parents worked in the shoe industry, his mom worked at one of the shoe factories as a stitcher and his father was a carpenter who worked at the Theberge Sewing Machine company before making attachments in the footware industry. He was the second oldest of nine kids and was originally in a rock n’ roll band. He got into the industry when his father bought him a guitar and amp, under the condition that he goes to work with him. His dad started the company in 1960, Maurice joining in 1964, the company being named after them, PA for Paul, M for Maurice, CO for their last name Cote. He talks about how it was working there and running the company once his dad retired, detailing the ways the shoe industry has changed over time. Specifically, how the shoe industry steadily moved from one location to another, eventually going overseas from country to country where he sells machine parts to now along with some local businesses still here in the United States. The biggest time was in the 80s, when there were about 45 shoe factories in Lewiston-Auburn. The late 80s onwards was when they went to Puerto Rico first then overseas after, through different countries specializing in shoes today.  He ends the interview talking about Lewiston, and how much more busy it used to be back then and how everyone used to have a good time.