STILLWATER, Maine— Sargent Materials, a subsidiary of Sargent Corp., has purchased the concrete ready-mix plants of G.E. Goding. The purchase includes four ready-mix plants located in Lincoln, Millinocket, Woodland and East Machias, as well as several aggregate resources in various locations in northern and eastern Maine.
Sargent intends to immediately begin refurbishment of the shuttered plants in Lincoln and East Machias, followed by rehabilitation of the Millinocket plant, in the meantime evaluating the long-term viability of the plant in Woodland, according to a press release issued Tuesday.
While the facilities have been idle for nearly a year now, Sargent Materials is confident in the potential of many of the operations. “Some of the right things are happening in Maine now to encourage investment, and we look at this acquisition as both an opportunity to strengthen our company as well as a vote of confidence for this region of Maine,” said Herb R. Sargent, president of Sargent Corp.
Sargent said that, though Goding’s former employees had been laid off nearly a year ago, he hopes Sargent Materials may be able to offer opportunities for their return. “Those folks, led by the Goding family, have been an important part of the fabric of northern and eastern Maine for half a century; we love the idea of putting a shoulder to the wheel with great people like that.” When appropriate, the company will solicit applications in the various locations, he said.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do over the winter to have the plants action-ready in the spring,” said Sargent. “We look forward to working with the local companies that the various ready-mix plants serve. We’re anxious to get going.”
Sargent Materials will be led by Pat Dubay, a longtime Sargent employee with a deep background in aggregate materials analysis and production.
Sargent Corp. is based in Stillwater.