OLD TOWN, Maine — Global Secure Shipping celebrated the grand opening of their new manufacturing facility in Old Town.
The event also marks $4.1 million funding from the Department of Homeland of Security to GSS to produce and test the next generation of secure cargo containers.
The company will use the new facility to create it's hybrid composite secure shipping containers.
The containers have sensors embedded that help determine what is in the containers, whether they have been tampered with on route, and if they need to be inspected when they arrive.
The technology was first developed at the University of Maine. Company leaders say it's not just a step forward technologically but it will also create 80 manufacturing jobs in Old Town.
"Seeing the long-term vision of this project and the long-term impact it will have for Old Town and the impact it will have on the region and the value this project will add to the state of Maine," EJ Roach, the director of economic and community development at the City of Old Town, said.
The hybrid composite secure shipping containers have sensors embedded that help determine what is in the containers, whether they have been tampered with on route, and if they need to be inspected when they arrive.
Company leaders say it's not just a step forward technologically, but it will also create 80 manufacturing jobs in Old Town.
"[It’s a] spectacular impact economically, and that's really why Old Town invested in this new facility addition. They have invested in this because they recognize the potential and the need to create good manufacturing jobs here in the state of Maine," Dr. Robert Lindyberg, CEO of Global Secure Shipping, said.
Leaders hope this facility will foster the creation of more jobs and more secure shipping containers.
"I can't tell you how proud I am that Maine is leading the way in this cutting-edge technology to make sure that international shipping is much safer," Senator Susan Collins said.
Global Secure Shipping is hoping to build another 15 hybrid shipping containers by the end of next year.