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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 17 D E C E M B E R 1 1 , 2 0 2 3 F O C U S M A N U FA C T U R I N G Today, Global Secure is the exclusive producer of the only International Organization for Standardization- certified intermodal shipping containers in the world that provide six-sided security and worldwide tracking. e majority of contracts are with the govern- ment. Containers in commercial trials with shippers and freight forwarders are generating interest. "ey're using the containers we're supplying on a trial basis, to see how effective it is at detecting theft," he says. "We're very much gathering data on that." Plant expansion, more hires Compared with a standard container's cost of several thousand dollars, the high-tech model is expected to be three to five times more. But customers have indi- cated a willingness to foot the bill, says Lindyberg. Commercial operations will "get that back in one or two foiled theft attempts," he says. "If you've got half a million dollars of electronics or pharma- ceuticals in a container and you foil a theft attempt, that's quite a bit of savings." e expansion recently broke ground and is expected to be operational by summer, with the potential to generation 80 more jobs. Despite Maine's generally tight labor force, Lindyberg expects to find the employees needed. "We offer competitive wages and benefits," he says. "In addition, we're able to bring in folks with a modest skill level and training, and we train them here our- selves. So far, everyone working here is local." e company also sources materials locally as much as possible. e project could result in several hundred indirect jobs, says Roach. And the city is planning further development on an additional 160 acres around Global Secure, with the goal of growing the manufacturing base. e city receives queries from companies, local and beyond, looking for industrial space. "Old Town doesn't have a lot of vacant space avail- able," says Roach. "So we've talked for quite a while about developing an energy and enterprise park." e plan is to continue to invest in infrastructure improvements for the acreage. "Our hope is that Global Secure will be the anchor tenant and be a beacon that will show others what it takes when you have the right players and the right support," says Roach. Lindyberg cautions that the overall effect of the technology on the shipping industry remains to be seen, as it's adopted and utilized. "But the potential is there to revolutionize secure shipping," he says. L a u r i e S c h r e i b e r , M a i n e b i z s e n i o r w r i t e r , c a n b e r e a c h e d a t l s c h r e i b e r @ m a i n e b i z . b i z Atlantic Sea Farms needed more space to accommodate growing kelp harvests. But the pandemic restaurant shut-down had reduced revenues. That's when they called Maine MEP. We helped the innovative company design an efficient new facility —21,000 feet bigger than their former building—that can process exponentially more farmed kelp while keeping down costs. President and CEO Briana Warner says, "We have benefited tremendously from working with Maine MEP as we scaled up capacity. It's a trusted and valued resource for our business." We can help your manufacturing business scale up or design a new facility, too. Connect with us today for a no-cost on-site assessment! 1-800-MEP-4MFG / contact@mainemep.org / mainemep.org P ROV I D E D P H O T O / C I T Y O F O L D T OW N E.J. Roach, Old Town's director of economic and community development, says Global Secure Shipping is helping to diversify the city's manufacturing base and could be a beacon for other companies. Our hope is that Global Secure will be the anchor tenant and be a beacon that will show others what it takes when you have the right players and the right support. — E.J. Roach City of Old Town

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