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W W W . M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 19 M A R C H 9 , 2 0 2 0 F O C U S M A N U F A C T U R I N G product in-house, at six buildings on Morin Street in Biddeford, and another on Hill Street. FMI was acquired early this year by Spirit AeroSystems, which produces jet bodies for Boeing and Airbus. Spirit, which makes bodies for Boeing and Airbus planes, did $7.8 billion business last year and employs 18,000 around the world. "We're really excited about it, because Spirit is one of the largest aerospace companies in the world," Godbout says. e acquisition comes as the com- pany is also under contract to double its capacity of carbon products to sup- port the hydrosonic missile market and is also providing materials for several NASA missions. Racing to innovation Much of what FMI makes starts as a woven carbon-fiber preform. e end product feels like metal, but is lighter and supports high temperature needs for various applications. ere aren't a lot of companies that make the high-temperature products FMI does, Godbout says. Many simi- lar businesses over the past couple of decades invested in the larger commer- cial composites market rather than the much smaller high-temperature one. Now the high-temperature market is growing significantly, and FMI is, too. e company has won several innovation awards over the years, most recently in 2017 from the Small Business Association of New England and in 2018 was named Innovator of the Year by the Maine International Trade Center. e awards are for its 3-D polymer matrix composite, which isn't high- temperature, but is used when high strength and low weight is needed, particularly for Formula 1 race cars. It also has many other potential applications. "What it enables us to do is reach out to other markets as we want to diversify and grow," Godbout says. "As we expand our capacity, we'd be able to go after those markets," as the need for more fuel efficiency and lighter cars grows, and even to the commercial automotive industry. e product is one of the few com- mercial ones FMI still makes. It's moved on from others to make room for its core markets, a focus that will grow. "We're continuing to invest in research and development for more advanced materials, and expand our abilities to expand our available mar- kets," he says. "We're very focused on that part of it." Some of FMI's buildings in have been reconfigured as the product focus has changed, and, eventually, the com- pany will have to increase its footprint at its Biddeford sites. "ere's noth- ing definitive there, but we just see the line of growth would not be able to be sustained in our square footage." Positioned to launch In 1962, the world's first satellite images were transmitted from the Telstar satellite through an antenna in Andover. e western Maine town was picked for the project because of Maine's global positioning. While technology has changed, the state's geography hasn't. "Geographically, we are positioned well to launch into polar orbit, and that is a key for the launching of nanosatel- lites," Logan, at Brunswick Landing, says. Collaboration of the public and private sectors, manufacturing busi- nesses, universities, colleges and state agencies will be necessary, she says, for Maine to fully take advantage of what's coming in the aerospace manufactur- ing industry. But the time is right, she says. "is is a great opportunity for Maine to get involved in the global market of nano- satellites and aerospace technology." Maureen Milliken, Mainebiz senior writer, can be reached at mmilliken @ mainebiz.biz S PONS OR S FOR MOR E IN FOR MATION A N D TO R EG IS TER , VISIT mainebiz.biz/BLOY Portland Country Club, 11 Foreside Road, Falmouth April 28, 5:00–7:00 pm Celebrating 20 years of Business Leaders in Maine Meet the 2020 Honorees THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY RECEPTION ENJOY GREAT RAFFLE PRIZES The Business Leaders of the Year (BLOY) reception will honor the 2020 Business Leaders of the Year and recognize all the BLOY alumni from the past 20 years. In addition to presentations, attendees will enjoy hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar, raffle prizes and networking with business executives and honorees. In celebration, we will be raffling off a gift basket to support the Leadership Maine Scholarship program. Just another way Mainebiz wishes to show our support in developing business leaders in Maine. (207) 783-0297 / www.simardandsons.com Petroleum System Experts Gas Stations / Marinas / Bulk Storage / Heating Oil • Petroleum Equipment Service • New System Design and Installation • Inspections and Compliance • Tank Removals • Tank Cleaning and Fuel Polishing "MRRA and the Landing fit in well [into new space technology] as we are always looking to help develop and support the industries of the future." — Kristina Logan deputy director of innovation, Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Agency

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