Brant & Cochran team member Tanner Wilcox works on an ax head Tuesday at the South Portland business. To the right is a gas forge, which is being replaced with a new induction forge that will cut down production time and better allow Brant & Cochran to keep up with customer demand.
Co-owner Barry Worthing displays a double bit ax.
Brant & Cochran co-owner Steve Ferguson demonstrates the company's new forging press, which is used to shape the ax heads.
The company's new induction forge will cut down one part of the production process from 25 minutes to less than 2 minutes.
Steve Ferguson, left, and Barry Worthing said it was an honor to be the first business to take home South Portland's Maker of the Year Award.
The Brant & Cochran shop at 110 Breakwater Annex in South Portland.
The Forecaster 
