Lyman-Morse celebrates opening of new advanced composites center

Ribbon cutting of new 15,000-square-foot Advanced Composites Center © Lyman-Morse Boatbuilding

Lyman-Morse celebrated a major milestone on Friday, October 16, with the ribbon cutting of our new 15,000-square-foot Advanced Composites Center in Thomaston, Maine.

Government officials, industry partners, marine organizations, local representatives, and employees gathered to mark the opening of the facility, the latest in a series of significant investments in our Advanced Manufacturing Center at Elltee Circle.

The new clear-span building significantly expands Lyman-Morse's advanced composite manufacturing capabilities and will support projects for the company's growing defense division. Equipped with two 94-foot-wide, five-ton overhead cranes, integrated vacuum systems, compressors, and other specialized equipment, the facility provides dedicated space and infrastructure for large-scale, complex composite construction. Maine Coast Construction of Camden, Maine, served as the general contractor for the project.

The celebration also marked the introduction of Lyman-Morse Defense, the new name for the former Lyman-Morse Technologies division. The rebranding reflects our expanding work with Department of Defense contractors and the growing role in specialized defense manufacturing.

Building on a history of investment

The Advanced Composites Center is the third major capital investment at Lyman-Morse's Elltee Circle campus, which has steadily evolved into a center for specialized manufacturing and technological innovation.

The first phase focused on modernizing and reconfiguring the Lyman-Morse Workboats facility, improving our metal fabrication capabilities and creating a more efficient production environment for commercial and specialty vessel construction.

The second phase transformed existing commercial space into a dedicated CNC and Additive Manufacturing facility. Outfitted with multiple CNC machines and a state-of-the-art EOS M 290 metal additive manufacturing system, the facility expanded Lyman-Morse's precision machining capabilities and opened opportunities to serve a broader range of industries.

With the addition of the Advanced Composites Center, Lyman-Morse now brings advanced composites, metal fabrication, precision machining, and additive manufacturing together on one campus. All three phases of development received support through funding programs administered by the Maine Technology Institute.

Investing in Maine's manufacturing future

While the new facilities and equipment represent significant technological advances, the investments are also about people.

Lyman-Morse's continued expansion at Elltee Circle reflects its commitment to creating skilled jobs, supporting workforce development, and strengthening Midcoast Maine's manufacturing economy. The company's growing capabilities provide opportunities for experienced tradespeople while helping develop the next generation of manufacturing professionals.

The completion of the Advanced Composites Center further strengthens Lyman-Morse's ability to take on increasingly sophisticated projects across the marine, architectural, industrial, commercial workboat, and defense sectors.