About Us

Our Story: From Machine Shop to Industry Innovator

Founded in 1986 by Bruce St. Hilaire, our shop built its reputation on precision machining and the ability to work with challenging, specialty materials. That focus on quality and problem‑solving set the foundation for everything we do today.

In 2006, we were asked to machine a highly specialized glass‑filled and lead‑filled polymer — a material known for being difficult to work with. Through that project, we developed close relationships with the original manufacturers and gained a deep understanding of the material’s behavior and production methods.

When the material’s ownership later changed hands, we saw a noticeable shift in consistency and performance. To maintain the level of quality our customers expect, we chose to take control of the process ourselves. That decision pushed us beyond traditional machining and into developing our own advanced manufacturing capabilities.

“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.

**⚓ Lightweight Sonar Upgrade for the U.S. Navy:**

In a recent sonar system upgrade for the U.S. Navy, we engineered a lightweight hydrophone baffle housing using our proprietary syntactic materials—SADM .5 and BCF 40b. The outer shell, composed of SADM, delivers structural integrity with minimal weight, while the middle layer of BCF 40b enhances shock resistance and acoustic dampening.

This exclusive process positions us as the sole supplier of these critical components for Virginia-class submarines, reinforcing our commitment to innovation, precision, and mission-ready performance 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.