The U.S. Small Business Administration named the leadership team of a family-owned manufacturer of custom composite parts in Bath as Maine’s Small Business Persons of the Year.

Custom Composite Technology’s Maureen, Steve and Nate Hassett were grateful and surprised by the award, they said. The Hassetts will accept the honor alongside 53 other winners, representing each of the 50 states, as well as Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and Guam, during a ceremony in Washington, D.C., for Small Business Week on May 3-4.

Custom Composite Technology manufactures and tests parts for fields ranging from renewable energy and transportation to robotics and drones. The company employs 10 people from around the Midcoast, Maureen Hassett said.

“There are a lot of great businesses in Maine, and we are glad that we were chosen,” Steve Hassett said.

Nate Hassett joined the family business in 2021 and works as the general director. Maureen Hassett is the company’s chief financial officer and vice president, and Steve Hassett is the founder and president.

Custom Composite Technologies built its Bath facility in 2003, financed through an SBA loan and Bath Savings Bank, Maureen Hassett said.

“We have had a lot of support from the SBA since we started the business 25 years ago, and we still get support from them both in terms of loans and business counseling support guidance,” she said.

Jennifer Boutin, associate state director of operations at the SBA, contacted the Hassetts last fall, as the company was celebrating its 25th anniversary, to inform them they were nominated for the award.

“We started branching out as the market demanded it,” Maureen Hassett said. “People were looking for more lightweight and malleable materials.”

Custom Composite Technologies began working with GE Renewable Energy in the late 2000s, testing the strength of wind turbine technology, Maureen Hassett said. By 2013, it spread into composite tooling for electric vehicles through the MIT Solar Electric Vehicle Team.

Now the company is working on technology for electric workboats. Custom Composite Technologies will continue servicing its marine customer base and look for new opportunities with other manufacturers in Maine.

“Maine is lucky to have such a strong, family-owned manufacturer showing how through innovation and commitment to quality a small business can thrive and lead,” said SBA District Director Diane Sturgeon.

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