Three additional Hybrid Composite Culvert Repair Systems have been successfully installed in Ebeemee and Indian Townships in central Maine. Developed by Kenway Corporation of Augusta Maine and the University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center (AEWC) the Hybrid Composite Culvert Repair System utilizes pre-engineered light-weight composite panels that conform to the existing culvert pipe with minimal invert change.

The Hybrid Composite Culvert Repair System has many advantages compared to total culvert replacement or traditional repair methods. Composite panels install quickly and easily with little need for heavy equipment, there is minimal culvert invert change, the process is less disruptive to the environment, there is reduced “in stream” time, traffic disruption is minimal, project duration is reduced and overall costs are less.

Composite panels are built, inspected and fully cured before leaving the factory. Properly formulated, composite panels comply with FDA regulation 21 CFR 177.2420 associated with materials intended for repeated use in contact with food. Unlike other composite culvert repair methods, such as Cured-In-Place (CIPP) rehabilitation, there is no styrene or chemical leaching from the composite panels and components. Utilizing pre-manufactured composite panels eliminates the risk of elevated PH levels in the water, a common issue associated with curing concrete used in traditional culvert repair methods.

The lifespan of the highly corrosion, abrasion and impact resistant composite panels exceeds 75 years, providing a maintenance free timeframe that exceeds those of galvanized steel or concrete culverts. Composite panels also allow the easy attachment of pre-manufactured fish weirs and ladders that are now required in many locations and can be customized to meet each sites particular need.

A review of Kenway’s first Hybrid Composite Culvert Repair Rehabilitation project installed in 2009 in Amherst Maine is performing well and has demonstrated the system’s ability to withstand Maine’s extreme fluctuating weather conditions. With a proven track record, Kenway’s Hybrid Composite Culvert Repair System represents a significant opportunity for transportation agencies looking to maintain road safety and meet environmental regulations with increasingly tight budgets.

Ebeemee Township Maine – Stinking Brook Culvert Rehabilitation Project

Kenway Corporation was the lead contractor for the installation of a76’ long 11’7” wide plate arch style culvert rehabilitation where the Stinking Brook passes under Route 11 in Ebeemee Township, Maine. The bottom of the existing galvanized steel culvert had significant corrosion and rot compromising its structural integrity. All eight of the necessary 10’ x 11’7” composite panels were installed and fastened inside the culvert by a 5 person crew in one day. An additional 2 days were spent sealing the joints and pumping grout into the annular space behind the panels to add stiffness and strength. With good weather and proper preparation a typical 70-80’ steel culvert can be completely rehabilitated with composite panels in one week. To promote salmon migration through the culvert a total of 6 internal fish weirs and an external fish ladder with three pools was incorporated into the final culvert rehabilitation design.

Indian Township Maine – Partridge Brook & Grant Brook Culvert Rehabilitation Projects

Nelson Construction of Houlton Maine was the lead contractor for both the Partridge Brook and Grant Brook culvert rehabilitation projects both located in Indian Township, Maine. Kenway Corporation manufactured and installed all the necessary composite panels and fish weirs in both culverts. The Partridge Brook culvert is a plate arch styled galvanized steel culvert 77’ in length and 14’ 2” in diameter. A total of 8 panels were installed and fastened by a crew of 5 in 10 hours, setting the stage for subsequent joint sealing, grouting and fish weir installation. The Grant Brook culvert is a circular style galvanized steel culvert 77’ in length and 10’ in diameter that also had a total of 8 custom shaped panels installed along with 6 internal fish weirs.

All projects were competitively bid with the Hybrid Composite Culvert Repair system winning as low bidder against traditional concrete and shotcrete repair methods. All three culvert repairs were completed on time and on budget with minimal environmental impact.

Kenway Corporation specializes in custom composite manufacturing and field service. The company offers complete composite engineering and design capabilities and manufactures a variety of items for industries ranging from marine, pulp and paper, infrastructure, transportation and renewable energy.

For additional information, photos and video on the Hybrid Composite Repair System visit: http://www.kenway.com/products/culvert-rehabilitation-systems/

Kenway History—

In 1947 Kenneth G. Priest, Sr. founded Kenway Boats, building wooden runabouts of his own design. The next two decades witnessed the transition to fiberglass boats and other composite fabrications as the company diversified its product offerings. Gradually, Kenway Boats’ reputation for excellence spread to industrial customers and the corrosion resistant, custom fabricated pipes, tanks, hoods, and the myriad other special molded products they required. Finally, in 1966, the decision was made to focus exclusively on these industrial clients and Kenway Corporation replaced Kenway Boats.

As Kenway Corporation continued to evolve over the following decades what remained constant was the focus on providing the highest quality composite products and the determination to innovate. Currently, the company and its (70) employees are strategically positioned to serve customers by offering complete engineering and design capabilities so that they may bring both standard items as well as “one-off” special molded fabrications from the design phase, through the manufacturing phase, to the final on-site installation. Custom work and custom service are what distinguish Kenway as it manufactures product for industries ranging from marine, to coal-fired power, to infrastructure, to pulp and paper, to transportation, to renewable energy, incorporating a variety of manufacturing techniques, including open-molding, vacuum infusion, prepreg lamination, dry film infusion, high temperature epoxy, and temperature controlled molding. What links the company’s various business lines is: technologically advanced manufacturing techniques; products manufactured for exacting service applications; and the highest quality assurance procedures and processes.

While the 1,200lb composite flange used in a power industry flue gas desulphurization project is impressive in its own right, the technological innovation is actually the process Kenway Corporation used to manufacture the component. Typically, composite parts that measure over 5½” thick warp significantly during traditional open-molding manufacturing, resulting in costly post-machining. But a new nanotechnology, combined with Kenway’s proprietary vacuum infusion process, now allows for single-session infusions of high fiber-content structural laminates exceeding 6” in thickness without degrading the structural properties of the laminate or causing the typical warping, something which is a real challenge for traditional inhibitor-based systems. In fact, thus far Kenway has demonstrated that it can maintain tolerances of less than 0.005” per foot while using this process. As a result of this technology, Kenway was able to manufacture a part which exceeded the customer’s technical specifications while also dramatically reducing manufacturing costs, thereby making the company far more competitive in the marketplace.

Importantly, Kenway Corporation did not achieve this technological advance without significant contributions from team members. World-leading vacuum infusion expert Andre Cocquyt (GRPguru.com) consulted with Kenway throughout the project, developing how best to combine the nanotechnology advances with the vacuum infusion manufacturing process. Also participating were experts from Arkema Chemical, Cook Composite Polymers, and Ashland Chemical. Only by combining Maine-based composite manufacturing excellence with world-leading technology experts and then partnering with raw material suppliers was Kenway Corporation able to achieve this significant advance. This partnership model is increasingly common at Kenway Corporation and is what allows the Maine-based company to compete at a national level.

With this technological innovation, Kenway Corporation has further enhanced the advantages of composite products for corrosion resistant applications while also making composites more cost competitive when compared to traditional materials. The applications for this technology are endless. While the company will continue to build similar components for coal-fired power plant customers, Kenway is also developing this technology for much larger structural members that require complicated, thick web designs. Then this manufacturing technology can be applied to other markets such as infrastructure construction and rehabilitation, wind energy, transportation, and the military.

An additional key contributor to Kenway’s technological advance has been the Maine Technology Institute (www.mainetechnology.org). In October, 2007 Kenway received an MTI Development Award specifically to focus on growing this vacuum infusion manufacturing expertise and to make the process commercially viable when compared with traditional manufacturing methods and materials. This funding has been essential to Kenway Corporation organizing the team of experts which has allowed for this advance and will allow for further commercial progress. This MTI-funded R&D work is ongoing at Kenway.

Importantly, what has brought even further focus to Maine’s composite industry has been the Maine North Star Alliance Initiative. Established in 2006 by the Governor’s office, Maine’s North Star Alliance Initiative (www.maine.gove/wired) is an industry-led collaborative, synthesizing business, R&D, education, workforce, and economic development resources specifically targeting Maine’s composites and boatbuilding industries. As a result, Maine was able to attract composite industry experts such as Andre Cocquyt (GRPguru.com) and develop workforce training programs so that Maine’s composites and boatbuilding businesses could combine world-leading craftsmanship with world-leading manufacturing technology. Kenway Corporation has partnered closely with NSAI to grow the company’s manufacturing expertise and make the technological advances that have lead to this national award.

KENWAY CORPORATION BACKGROUND

Founded in 1947 by Kenneth G. Priest, Sr., Kenway Boats originally manufactured wooden boats of its own design. The next two decades of operation realized the evolution of fiberglass boats and other fiberglass recreational and domestic products. Gradually, Kenway Boats’ reputation for excellence spread to industrial customers and requests for repairs and small fabrications interrupted the production of boats. Finally, in 1966, the decision was made to focus exclusively on these industrial clients and Kenway Boats was replaced by Kenway Corporation.

Custom work and custom service are what distinguish Kenway. Specializing in industrial composite manufacturing of items such as piping, tanks, hoods, covers and other custom fabrications, Kenway Corporation is strategically positioned to serve its customers by offering complete engineering and design capabilities so that it may bring both standard items as well as “one-off” special molded fabrications from the design phase, through the manufacturing phase, Your browser may not support display of this image. to the final on-site installation at the customer’s facility. Diversification efforts over the past 10-years have brought Kenway’s industrial manufacturing to the aquaculture, waste and water treatment, energy, and Your browser may not support display of this image. architectural industries, and has also resulted in specialty marine contracts with companies like Hodgdon Yachts, Hinckley Yachts, and Derecktor Shipyards, including parts from traditional sail and motor yacht hull and superstructures to waterjet intakes for high speed ferries, along with the formation of sister-company Maritime Marine, LLC (www.maritimeboats.com), manufacturer of 14-25 LOA family fishing boats.

Today, Kenway Corporation, along with Maritime Marine, LLC, is a diversified composites manufacturing company serving a variety of markets but primarily focused on marine, pulp and paper, and the power industry while employing over (75) composite technicians, engineers, and associated staff. What links the company’s various business lines is: technologically advanced manufacturing techniques; products manufactured for exacting service applications; and the highest quality assurance procedures and processes.

MARITIME MARINE LLC BACKGROUND

Maritime Marine, LLC, originally founded in 1991 as Maritime Skiff, is built on the concept of simple, low horsepower, fuel efficient boats that demonstrate tremendous sea-keeping capabilities. Time spent on the boats quickly shows how the founders’ combined sixty years of marine experience, including eighteen years with Boston Whaler, has evolved into the Maritime Tradition, where the continual emphasis on function over form still prevails.

Today, the Maritime boating tradition continues under the name of Maritime Marine, LLC. For much of Maritime’s history, the all-important fiberglass hulls, decks, and other components have been built and assembled in Maine, where boatbuilding craftsmanship and strong work ethic have a rich history. As Maritime transitioned from the smaller, simple, open-concept “skiffs” to more sophisticated center console, center cabin, and cuddy cabin designs, this manufacturing and assembly role moved to Kenway Corporation , a company who specializes in custom composite design and manufacturing. When the founders announced their plans to retire, the principals of Kenway realized the tremendous opportunity, purchased Maritime Skiff, and moved the entire operation to Augusta, Maine.

The origins of Maritime Marine, LLC started back in 1947 when Kenneth G. Priest, Sr. founded Kenway Boats. At first building wooden boats of his own design, Ken quickly embraced the evolution of fiberglass boats. Gradually, Kenway Boats’ reputation for excellence spread to industrial customers and in 1966 Kenway Corporation replaced Kenway Boats. Over the next forty years, with quality at the center of the company’s philosophy, Kenway continued to develop its expertise for a wide range of custom-engineered composite fabrications. Currently, the company’s team of engineers, project managers, quality assurance personnel, and most importantly its expert composite technicians serve a wide range of customers from Maine, to Oregon, to Puerto Rico. Importantly, however, the company never strayed far from its boatbuilding roots and now shares its modern manufacturing facility and expert personnel with its sister company, Maritime Marine, LLC.

Maritime Marine, LLC is wholly owned and managed by second and third generation family members. Kenneth G. Priest II, PE serves as the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Ian D. Kopp as its President/Chief Operating Officer, and Michael Priest as its Vice President. Company owners Ken, Michael and Ian take great pride in remaining a small, family-owned business within an industry dominated by corporate giants. Doing so allows them to remain true to the company’s core values of providing exceptional, personal customer service, the highest quality composite products, and a boat that continually exceeds its owners’ expectations.

Maritime started with a timeless hull design that is fuel-efficient, dry-riding, and easily maintained. The future of Maritime will continue the tradition of fiberglass grid systems bonded to the hull for strength and rigidity, of solid composite cored transoms which have never experienced a failure since the first Maritime was built, and of unsinkable hulls fully-foamed for flotation, all of which form the structural backbone of these strong, safe, reliable boats. Importantly, the new ownership, drawing on its sixty years of composite engineering and design expertise, will continue to innovate, bringing new designs to market, further refining manufacturing processes, and insisting that only the highest quality materials build your Maritime. This continual focus on innovation and quality enhances product value and longevity, improves your boating experience, and leads to peace of mind. After all, there is nothing better than a Maine Built Boat! (www.mainebuiltboats.com)

Arkema’s Blocbuilder product has already received its accolades from the American Composites Manufacturing Association who recognized Arkema with the award for innovation at the Composites 2009 Exhibition and Conference in Tampa, Florida. Arkema’s Blocbuilder product, a nitroxide-mediated, controlled radical polymerization (NM-CRP) is a processing system that allows fast and efficient infusion of large parts to cure without stress. This radical innovation opens new doors for composite parts that measure over 5 ½ inches thick which, are historically known to warp during conventional open-molding manufacturing resulting in costly post-machining. The Blocbuilder product means the possibility of manufacturing large composite parts in a single process and greatly reducing manufacturing costs.

Through Kenway’s collaboration on the Blocbuilder R&D program it was discovered that without the ability to heat and cool molds the Blocbuilder CRP technology is ineffective. Further research revealed that it is the combination of CRP technology and TCM that allows for successful vacuum infusion of thick laminates. The concept is simple: use an efficient BTU transfer media to both heat and cool your molds, thereby eliminating ambient conditions from the composite manufacturing equation.

It is this concept that virtually revolutionizes composites manufacturing. As it stands combining Blocbuilder nanotechnology combined with the TCM process allows for improved flow characteristics, the ability to cure-on-demand enhanced physical physicals properties and consistent more efficient production times for laminates exceeding 6” in thickness.

Kenway’s new division, TCM Composites will manufacture and sell temperature controlled closed mold units that it will offer to customers using the Blocbuilder technology. And, while supporting Blocbuilder with the TCM process means tremendous possibility and money-savings for composites manufacturers it does require certain finesse. “Hands on education is critical for customer’s using the Blocbuilder technology” says, Ian Kopp. One of the goals of TCM Composites is to provide employee training in collaboration with Southern Maine Community College (SMCC). TCM Composites will also offer consulting services for incorporating the TCM process into the manufacturing environment.

This is an exciting opportunity for Kenway as it opens the doors into new markets. Kenway sees taking The TCM and CRP innovation into markets such as the wind industry, heavy industry as well as renewable energy.