Precision Manufacturing

Precision Manufacturing

The precision manufacturing sector comprises two distinct subsectors: metal products and electronics. Each has a small number of very large world-scale firms and a much larger number of smaller companies serving a variety of customers, primarily outside Maine. The electronics sector shows high rates of innovation as measured by patents. Innovation capacity rests primarily within the private sector, though higher education institutions provide some support. Knowledge spillovers and networks within the subsectors appear to be relatively low.

The large firms in each subsector have weak supplier/customer relationships within Maine. These are somewhat stronger for smaller firms, but still weak overall. While the subsectors may be considered sustainable clusters, the links within Maine are a noticeable weakness as a cluster. The economic development potential of this sector for Maine may be improved if this sector can develop closer relationships with other clusters as, for example, in measuring and controlling technologies.