Cross Laminated Timber Company to Launch Operations in Millinocket, Maine
Published on: February 13, 2018
BANGOR, MAINE - LignaCLT Maine, LLC is pleased to announce they will become the first Maine-based manufacturing company of innovative Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) and other mass timber products in our state. The company will open their new facility at the Millinocket mill site owned by Our Katahdin, Inc. The move is slated to bring over 100 direct jobs to the Katahdin region and increased demand for Maine timber.
CLT is an engineered wood product that competes with concrete and steel construction and is known for environmentally friendly attributes. The use of CLT in building projects across the globe has been shown to reduce construction time by over 33 percent. The company will also manufacture Glulam, a type of structurally engineered wood product for columns and beams that, similar to CLT, consists of layers of dimensioned lumber bonded together with durable, moisture-resistant adhesives.
LignaCLT Maine, LLC has plans to build an impressive, state-of-the-art CLT and Glulam manufacturing operation coupled with prefabrication technology in a facility comprising up to 300,000 square-feet on a 35-acre parcel. It’s expected to be operational within 12 months. Based upon industry trends, the new manufacturing plant would directly create more than 100 jobs within five years while sustaining hundreds more in value chain operations.
“We made the decision to come to Maine for several reasons,” said Nick Holgorsen, CEO and co-founding partner of LignaTerra Global, LLC, the Charlotte, North Carolina parent of LignaCLT Maine, LLC. “First, the types of trees that are important to the cross laminated timber production process are plentiful here in Maine. Second, we know that Maine has a dedicated, productive workforce with timber industry experience. We see this as an opportunity to provide jobs and help communities thrive. Our organizational culture is dedicated to making a positive social impact in the communities we serve.”
“Ten years after the announcement to permanently close the Millinocket paper mill, we are thrilled to welcome LignaCLT Maine as the anchor tenant on our ‘One Katahdin’ industrial site in Millinocket” said Sean DeWitt, President of Our Katahdin. “LignaTerra is engaged in a rapidly growing industry, and they share our commitment to community and economic development. We are in the process of resolving the remaining hurdles and are excited that LignaCLT Maine is helping to position the Katahdin region and the state of Maine as a leader in the next generation of the forest products industry.”
Behind the scenes, this project ranks as one of the most dynamic economic development projects in the region, with a complex financial structure and at least a dozen different nonprofits, for-profits, and government agencies involved. The decision to come to Maine has taken several months to negotiate. Dr. Brien Walton, Director of the Richard E. Dyke Center for Family Business and Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship at Husson University, facilitated the negotiations and attributes their ultimate success to shared core values, a shared vision for Maine's potential, and critical support from the regional economic development leader, the Eastern Maine Development Corporation (EMDC). Michael Aube, president of EMDC, believes this is just the beginning of a new era of growth for Maine.
“Three years ago, EMDC and others came together to research, study, and analyze complimentary new timber uses for economic growth,” said Aube. “CLT is one of those new investment opportunities. Coupled with our Maine universities and higher education institutions, Maine’s workforce is ready to help any company achieve its goals. LignaCLT is in position to lead wood product innovation in Maine's private sector and directly support related industries throughout the state and across the entire Northeast. The University of Maine’s focus on alternative uses of Maine timber and sustainable forestry was a critical factor in helping bring CLT production to the state.”
Husson’s Dr. Walton foresees even more benefits. “Having a new company begin operations in Maine creates more employment and internship opportunities for Husson University students after graduation. The creation of good jobs also helps make Maine more attractive to young professional.”
“We wanted to be associated with Husson University as part of this move,” continued Holgorsen. “Husson University is the home of Maine’s largest College of Business and we're grateful for Dr. Walton's guidance throughout each aspect of this process. It’s clear that Husson University is dedicated to helping businesses succeed in Maine. The university’s emphasis on experiential learning is helping develop a workforce that will be ready to help businesses like ours the minute they’re hired. We look forward to working together with Husson and Husson students for years to come.”
All parties agree that by making the commitment to permanently reside in the state, LignaCLT Maine, LLC is in position to lead wood product innovation in Maine and directly support related industries throughout the state and across the entire Northeast.
LignaTerra strives to develop efficient, sustainable, and resilient structures utilizing wood as the fundamental building block. The company’s goals are to improve industry standards by providing turn-key solutions and introduce new markets to Cross Laminated Timber. For more information, visit lignaterra.com or call 704.890.2800.
Founded in December 2014, Our Katahdin is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on community and economic development in the Katahdin region. Our Katahdin purchased the Millinocket mill site in January of 2017 and has re-branded the 1,400-acre site as One Katahdin. One Katahdin is a multi-use, sustainable industrial park on the front line of a 4 million-acre forest with 100 percent renewable and affordable power, ample water, and easy access by land, rail and air. Our Katahdin Board members are sons and daughters of the Katahdin region who believe in its future and include: Nancy DeWitt, Mike Faloon, Tony Foster, Michael Osborne, Sean DeWitt, Michael Crowley and Michael Seile, Jr. For more information, please call 207-618-9187, email media@ourkatahdin.com, or visit ourkatahdin.com or onekatahdin.com.
For more than 100 years, Husson University has prepared future leaders to handle the challenges of tomorrow through innovative undergraduate and graduate degrees. With a commitment to delivering affordable classroom, online and experiential learning opportunities, Husson University has come to represent superior value in higher education. Our Bangor campus and off-campus satellite education centers in Southern Maine, Wells and Northern Maine provide advanced knowledge in business; health and education; pharmacy studies; science and humanities; as well as communication. In addition, Husson University has a robust adult learning program. For more information about educational opportunities that can lead to personal and professional success, visit Husson.edu.
Eastern Maine Development Corporation (EMDC) is a private, non-profit, 501(c)3 organization. Celebrating 50 years of service, EMDC is proud to create economic development opportunities in Eastern Maine through community, business, and workforce development. For more information about the services EMDC provides, please visit emdc.org or call (207) 942-6389.