US boatbuilder Lyman-Morse has opened a 15,000-square-foot Advanced Composites Center in Thomaston, Maine, completing the third major capital investment at its Elltee Circle manufacturing campus and expanding capacity for marine, industrial and defence projects.
The project cost US$4 million, including the building and specialist equipment with support through funding programmes administered by the Maine Technology Institute.
The clear-span facility provides dedicated space for large-scale composite fabrication and assembly and incorporates a range of equipment including two five-ton overhead cranes, integrated vacuum systems, compressors and other specialist manufacturing infrastructure.
Maine Coast Construction, based in Camden, served as general contractor. Government officials, industry partners, marine organisations, local representatives and employees attended the opening.
Lyman-Morse Defense
The event also marked the introduction of Lyman-Morse Defense, formerly Lyman-Morse Technologies division with the company saying the change reflects its expanding work with US Department of Defense contractors and its focus on specialist defence manufacturing.
The new centre follows two earlier upgrades. The first modernised and reconfigured the Lyman-Morse Workboats facility, improving metal fabrication and production arrangements for commercial and specialist vessels.
The second converted existing commercial space into a dedicated CNC and additive manufacturing facility, equipped with multiple CNC machines and an EOS M 290 metal additive manufacturing system.
Together, the facilities bring composites, metal fabrication, precision machining and additive manufacturing onto one campus, allowing the company to undertake projects involving different materials and production processes.
Complex projects
Speaking when construction began, Samir Gupta, manager of Lyman-Morse’s Advanced Manufacturing division, said: “This expansion is about giving our team the space and infrastructure they need to execute at the highest level.”
And he said the new building allows Lyman-Morse to take on larger, more complex projects with greater efficiency.
Lyman-Morse says the expanded campus will support skilled employment and workforce development in Midcoast Maine.
The company’s manufacturing activities span marine, architectural, industrial, commercial workboat and defence applications.
