GO Lab Celebrates Start of TimberHP Mill Renovation
Maine Governor Janet Mills joined TimberHP investors, company staff, supporters and friends late last month in Madison to celebrate construction, now underway, to turn the mill into the first wood fiber insulation manufacturing plant in North America.
“Today, thanks to the hard work and perseverance of our team, our investors and our many partners in government and the private sector,” said GO Lab co-founder Matt O’Malia in welcoming remarks, “we’ve begun the process of transforming this place where we’re all gathered into a 21st century manufacturing hub for a new generation of forest products.”
The masked celebration—in accordance with Covid safety protocols—was held on a section of factory floor where TimberHP’s loose fill insulation will be bundled and packaged.
GO Lab’s president Josh Henry, who co-founded the company with O’Malia, noted in his remarks that TimberHP insulation would be recyclable, renewable, nontoxic and carbon storing, without sacrificing high performance and affordability, and would be an economic game changer for Madison and Maine.
“To build a more equitable and sustainable economy, both locally and statewide,” said Henry. “Maine must redouble its commitment to sustainable forest management and to new forms of manufacturing that produce new, value-added forest products.”
Henry thanked Heather Johnson, commissioner of Maine’s Department of Economic and Community Development and a key supporter of GO Lab, then invited Governor Janet Mills to the podium.
“Right here, you’re transforming the site of this former mill to meet the challengers of our time. And in doing so, you’re forging a new and innovative path forward for Maine,” said Governor Mills. “You’re expanding our forest products industry in exciting ways, revitalizing manufacturing and providing good paying jobs in rural communities.”
News media coverage of the groundbreaking included stories by the Morning Sentinel, Fox Bangor, and WABI TV5.
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Photos courtesy of Cianbro