About Us

Our Story: From Machine Shop to Industry Innovator

Founded in 1986 by Bruce St. Hilaire, our machine shop quickly became renowned for its expertise in working with exotic materials. Our dedication to precision and quality set us apart in the industry, and in 2006, we faced one of our biggest challenges yet—machining a complex and hazardous glass and leaded plastic material known for its difficulty.
Through this experience, we forged strong relationships with the original manufacturers and gained an in-depth understanding of the processes involved. However, when this manufacturer was acquired by Forum Energy, we noticed a decline in the quality and consistency of the material. Driven by our commitment to excellence, we decided to take matters into our own hands.

“Our customers needs come first, and we treat you as the boss.”

Leveraging the knowledge and experience we had amassed, we began producing the Syntactic Acoustical Dampening Material (SADM) ourselves. Our dedication to innovation and quality paid off, and during the pandemic, Forum Energy recognized our expertise and offered us the opportunity to acquire all inventory, equipment, and support to take over the SADM line fully.

A Family-Operated Legacy

Our story is not just about innovation but also about family. Since the birth of our son Max, our company has truly been a family-operated business. My wife Cheryl, who is also our accountant, managed finances while changing Max’s diapers in her tiny office. Today, Max runs the day-to-day operations with the same passion and ingenuity that have defined our business; Max has adopted a strong mechanical aptitude, capable of taking on challenges from design to final working product with a cost-saving, eco-minded approach we’re proud of.

Success Stories:

**General Dynamics and the US Navy:**
We recently collaborated with General Dynamics to create a simple ring mold for the US Navy. This innovative approach saved the Navy approximately **half a million dollars** by opting for near net molding over purchasing a panel and machining the ring. This is just one of many success stories highlighting the value of our SADM/SPMM process.

**Lockheed Martin and the LWLC Upgrade:**
In a recent project with Lockheed Martin, we contributed to the Lightweight Low-Cost (LWLC) upgrade of their sonar system. We developed a lightweight hydrophone baffle housing using our proprietary syntactic materials, **SADM .5 and BCF 40b**. The outer shell, made of SADM, and the middle layer of BCF 40b provide both strength and light weight. This exclusive process makes us the sole supplier of these critical components for Virginia-class submarines, exemplifying our commitment to innovation and excellence in advanced materials.

Our journey from a specialized machine shop to an industry leader in advanced materials is a testament to our commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction, all while maintaining our close-knit family values.