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V I E W P O I N T S W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 3 D E C E M B E R 1 6 , 2 0 2 4 From the Editor T he pace of change since the pandemic has kept Maine businesses on their toes. Manufacturers have been no exception. In this issue, Senior Writer Laurie Schreiber talks to one of Maine's largest private employers, Bath Iron Works, about training programs and how it is developing skilled workers as senior employees retire. "Bath Iron Works' ability to be a major driver in the state's manufacturing economy depends on attracting, training and retaining the workers who make 'Bath built' best built," said Charles Krugh, BIW's president. See "Bath shipyard is building a workforce," which starts on Page 16. In this past summer's Paris Olympics, Team USA sported outfits designed by Ralph Lauren. Two components of the outfit — the shoes and the belt — were manufactured by Maine companies: Rancourt in Lewiston and Rogue Industries in Standish. Staff Writer Alexis Wells gets the story on how the Maine companies secured the work with the fashion brand. See "Teaming up with Ralph Lauren," which starts on Page 21. Our cover story looks ahead to the incoming administration and what Maine manufacturers anticipate in the way of impact from tariffs. It's a bit of a moving target, but Senior Writer Renee Cordes helps navigate the process Maine companies may face. See "Tariff turmoil," which starts on Page 12. Finally, the list of Maine's largest manufacturers gives an idea of the range of products made here — from ships to lumber to stadium seats to health care swabs. See Page 26. Peter Van Allen pvanallen@mainebiz.biz For a daily digest of Maine's top business news, sign up for the Mainebiz Daily Report at mainebiz.biz/enews For all the business news in Maine, sign up for the Daily Report and Real Estate Insider newsletters. Here is the top content for 2024, through Dec. 6: 1. Lightning strikes again: MacKenzie Scott gifts $15M to Brunswick-based Coastal Enterprises 2. Here are the 2024 'Best Places to Work in Maine' 3. Covetrus lays off some employees in restructuring 4. Two Maine restaurants bask in the national spotlight 5. 40 Under 40: Leah Graham explores complex questions in cancer treatment 6. TD Bank to close two branches in Maine this summer 7. WEX to lay off 375 employees worldwide, becoming latest Maine employer to downsize 8. Maine has 4th-highest taxes in US, and ranks No. for property tax burden 9. 2 Maine hotels crack Travel & Leisure's list of the top 100 in the world 10. While Maine is still known for lobster and potatoes, three new industries are rising F I L E P H O T O 1 Maine's manufacturers produce ships, lumber, stadium seats, health care swabs, biomedical products and so on. Featured @ Mainebiz.biz bernsteinshur.com Meet Tony. A dedicated business attorney and tech start-up guide with a passion for setting companies on the path to success, Tony helps manufacturing clients establish their business, raise funds, grow, and scale. We're attorneys. But we're people first. Anthony E. Perkins, Attorney and Shareholder Maine manufacturers keep pace with the times

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