Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 15 O C T O B E R 1 9 , 2 0 2 6 M A D E I N M A I N E F O C U S I wanted to explore what exists beyond the finished product and Maine's postcard image, focusing instead on the people, the manufacturing process and the businesses themselves. — Tim Greenway A worker assembles a hinged roof at KBS Builders' South Paris facility. KBS designs and manufactures modular structures for residential, commercial and mixed-use buildings. Once the units are built in the factory, they're shipped to the site, assembled and connected to utilities. FAR LEFT: A blend of natural and artificial dyes gives W.A. Bean & Sons' Red Snappers their distinctive color. The company traces its roots to 1860 and began producing hot dogs in 1918. Today, it produces about 500,000 pounds of hot dogs annually. Its Red Snappers are known for their natural casings, distinctive snap and signature flavor. W.A. Bean & Sons is Maine's only surviving hot dog producer. Dress forms stand among sewing stations on the production floor at C.M. Almy in Pittsfield. The company has produced church and clergy goods since 1892, including choir robes, clergy hats, altar candles, communion cups, holy-water sprinklers and bishops' crosses. The company serves customers around the world. Sokha Soun works in the sewing room at Sea Bags in South Portland, where more than 20 in-house stitchers sew bags inside out from repurposed boat sails. By reusing boat sails, Sea Bags has kept more than 750 tons of fabric out of landfills.

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