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V O L . X X V N O. V M A R C H 4 , 2 0 1 9 16 M A N U FA C T U R I N G F O C U S word of trying to do better by the envi- ronment and get more people outside to enjoy the world around us." Hyperlite goes after larger pool of consumers While Flowfold hasn't patented its designs, that's an area that Hyperlite is starting to look at more seriously as it seeks to broaden its reach. Founded the same year as Flowfold, by brothers Dan and Mike St. Pierre, it's up to 80 employees at Biddeford's Pepperell Mill Campus. It makes ultralight outdoor gear, from backpacks and tents to stuff sacks and trail kits. It regularly launches new products, including a new backpack every year or two. Hyperlite grew out of Colorado's Telluride Venture Accelerator and has received $550,000 in three tranches of venture capital funding from CEI Ventures, the venture capital arm of Brunswick-based Coastal Enterprises Inc., which has several textile manu- facturers in its portfolio. Its latest con- tribution to Hyperlite was a $100,000 convertible note to help prepare the company for growth in 2019 and set it up for a larger financing later in the year. Like Flowfold, Hyperlite has been investing in automation and research and development, devoting a lot of attention in 2018 to streamlining pro- duction with standard times for every product it makes. at will assume greater impor- tance as it aims to appeal to a larger pool of outdoor enthusiasts beyond the so-called "early adopters" who hike the Appalachian Trail or scale Mount Everest. "We need to inform the broader consumer base that the ultralight phi- losophy is an option, and that prod- ucts exist to make your lives easier," says Dan St. Pierre. American Roots regroups after costly 'gut check' American Roots is also gearing up to launch a new product line this April after recovering from a costly lesson last year Waxman calls a "gut-check moment." It involved a shipment of bad fabric that it received from a supplier. ey were unaware of the problem ยป C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E Valued Partner. Trusted Employer. Design. Build. Maintain. Connec cut Massachuse s Maine Rhode Island New Hampshire Vermont Design |Build | BIM Construc on & Renova on UL Cer fied Prefabrica on 24/7 Emergency Service Arc Flash Hazard Analysis Fire Alarm & Life Safety Structured Cabling Award-winning quality, technical innova on, outstanding people, and the largest UL cer fied prefabrica on facility in the Northeast. All great reasons to partner with Interstate for your next project. Our lean methods, technical innova on, outstanding people, UL prefabrica on, and smart material placement set new standards for safe and efficient installa on, regardless of size, scope, or deadlines. Partner with us and experience first-hand the excep onal value that Interstate delivers. Renee Doble, Economic Development Specialist D'arcy Main-Boyington, Economic Development Director. BREWERMAINE.GOV/BIZ P H O T O S / C O U R T E S Y O F H Y P E R L I T E M O U N TA I N G E A R Hyperlite Mountain Gear www.hyperlitemountaingear.com Biddeford Year founded: 2010 What it makes: Ultralight outdoor gear including packs, shelters and tents, stuff sacks, kits and accessories Leadership: Dan St. Pierre and Mike St. Pierre Employees: 80 Revenue: Would not disclose What's next: Broaden market reach Dan St. Pierre, left, CFO of Hyperlite Mountain Gear, and Mike St. Pierre, CEO. The Hyperlite 2400 Windrider weighs only 1.87 pounds.