Senator Collins Announces $4.2 Million for Elmet Technologies in Lewiston
Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senator Susan Collins announced today that Elmet Technologies in Lewiston was awarded a $4.2 million contract to accelerate its development of tungsten heavy alloy and molybdenum products to supply various needs of the Department of Defense (DoD). According to Elmet, investments funded through this grant will help preserve 155 jobs and create additional new Maine-based engineering and manufacturing jobs.
“Ensuring the availability and technological superiority of tungsten heavy alloy and molybdenum products is an important national security imperative,” said Senator Collins. “As a leader in the production of tungsten products with decades of experience working with refractory metals, Elmet is well positioned to supply our military. This funding will not only assist Elmet’s efforts to expand the manufacture of tungsten components that will be used by our troops, but it will also help sustain and create good-paying jobs in Lewiston.”
“Senator Collins is a key supporter of Elmet and our efforts to support the DoD and strengthen manufacturing and job creation in Maine. Elmet is the last 100% U.S.-owned and fully integrated manufacturer of tungsten and molybdenum material and components, and we look forward to leveraging this contract to provide advanced, U.S.-made prototypes and components to the military,” said Andy Nichols, Chief Executive Officer, Elmet Technologies LLC
Tungsten and molybdenum products are used in a number of military applications critical to warfighting effectiveness. Currently, however, the domestic manufacturing of these products has a limited supply base of U.S.-owned, fully integrated companies, and this contract will help the DoD broaden and sustain this critical industrial base.
The funding was awarded by the DoD’s Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment program (IBAS), which helps the Pentagon prevent supply chain vulnerabilities and address urgent operational needs. This award, which can be used for infrastructure upgrades and other investments, will enable Elmet to work collaboratively with the government to provide prototypes for the evaluation of tungsten items the military needs to ensure development within targeted prices.
Senator Collins, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, successfully advocated for a $10 million increase for this program to address critical issues in the industrial base, particularly with regard to tungsten manufacturing processes. On November 5, 2018, Senator Collins sent a letter to then-Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Policy Eric Chewning, urging the Department of Defense to partner with industry to advance tungsten heavy alloy and molybdenum defense products.
Elmet is a U.S. owned and operated fully integrated company founded in 1929 that manufacturers tungsten and molybdenum material, alloys, and components. The company’s headquarters and primary manufacturing site is located in Lewiston.
