Featured Business
Index Packaging
Mr. and Mrs. William Lander founded Index Packaging in 1968 in New York State with the invention of the TIP (N) TELL shipping indicator. About 10 years later, the company purchased the patent rights to the DROP (N) TELL shipping indicator. These are devices that indicate the tipping and dropping of sensitive packages. In 1981, Index Packaging moved its operations to its current location in Milton, NH where the custom wood, foam, and corrugated operations grew into what they are today. With the purchase of Timber Tech Corp in 2002, the company added a new and recycled pallet operation, which relocated to the Milton, NH facility. Index Packaging offers the following products and services: foam packaging, wood crating, corrugated, recycled and new pallets, Tip N’ Tell and Drop N’ Tell, warehousing and supplies, design support and trucking.
The company is very environmentally sensitive as it strives to recycle and reuse all company waste products. For example, the company turns waste wood material into wood chips and transports the material to the wood to the energy facility in Tamworth, NH. Index Packaging has increased employment from 110 persons in 2005 to about 165 in 2011 and is contemplating further expansions. About 75% of the company’s business is within a 100 mile radius and the balance being split between U.S. and global business. Total annual sales are approximately $20,000,000.
Bruce Lander, son of the company founders and current President, is positive about future business opportunities in Milton and believes the business climate in the Town has improved over the years, thanks in part to the establishment of the Milton Business and Industry Alliance. At present, Bruce serves as the President of the Alliance. Check out the Index website here.
Eastern Boats
If you are in the market for a traditional looking “Downeast” economical boat from 18 feet to 35 feet with a 21st century construction and technology and a boat built to last, consid
er Eastern and Seaway boats based at the Milton Industrial Park, White Mountain Highway, Milton, NH. Bob Bordeau President and owner acquired Eastern Boats in 1993 and Seaway in 2008. Bob is a “hands on” owner who is involved in all aspects of the business. Using a strong dealer network, Eastern Boats sell their products throughout the U.S. All boats are attractive, rugged and fuel-efficient as they are made with all composite materials. The 30,000 square ft facility in Milton has three sections: rigging shop, glass shop and assembly.
The custom built boats have an attractive Maine look and are used for both pleasure and commercial use such as for hauling lobster traps, fire and rescue purposes and as a launch. Customers include the U.S. Coast Guard, NH Fish and Game, Maine Fish and Game, many yacht clubs, commercial and pleasure boaters. At the beginning of the recession in 2008, Eastern Boats employed 40 persons and sold 117 boats. In 2009, the company experienced a decline in sales. However, in 2011, the company expects to sell 108 boats and employs 30 persons. In 2008, total sales were $5.5 M and in 2011 sales are projected to be around $5.0 M.
Bob Bordeau, a Milton resident, is a community oriented person having served on several local boards and now currently a member of the Milton Planning Board. He is active in the Milton Business and Industry Association. He has given back to the community in many ways having donated boats to the Town’s Police Department and Fire Department.
For more information on the company, check out their very interesting website here.