LEWISTON, Maine — October is Manufacturing Month in Maine, a time to raise awareness about the strength and diversity of the state's manufacturing industry.

Elmet Technologies, a metal manufacturer in Lewiston, is recognized worldwide for producing high-quality metals for defense, aerospace, electrical, and medical applications.

The company has recently signed a multimillion-dollar contract with the U.S. Navy and is expanding its operations to hire more skilled workers and meet increasing customer demand.

Brandon Burgess, vice president of special projects at Elmet Group, described how crushed ore from around the world is turned into metals like tungsten and molybdenum using a sintering furnace.

"The furnace operates at around 1,450 degrees Celsius," Burgess explained.

The powdered

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