Crafting Excellence: Limestone Boat Company’s Journey to St. Stephen, NB

In a recent episode of CHCO-TV’s One-on-One, host John Higgins took viewers on an exclusive tour of the Limestone Boat Company’s new facility in St. Stephen, New Brunswick. This episode offered an in-depth look at the craftsmanship and innovation behind Limestone’s high-end recreational boats and featured insightful conversations with Scott Hanson, the CEO of Limestone, about invigorating the local economy and workforce.

A Legacy of Craftsmanship
Limestone Boats is a name that resonates with boating enthusiasts across North America, known for their semi-custom-built boats ranging from 17 to 26 feet. Scott Hanson, a seasoned boat builder and the CEO of Limestone, shared the rich history of the brand with viewers. "Limestone Boats is a brand that's been around for over 40 years now. We've been building boats for recreational boaters from the Great Lakes to Cape Cod to South Florida," Hanson explained.

The company’s journey to St. Stephen began when the original family owners in Oakville, Ontario decided to retire. Hanson, with a background in yacht design and traditional wooden boat building, was pivotal in relocating the operations. "One of our board members suggested, ‘Would you consider the Maritimes?’" Hanson recounted. This led to fruitful discussions with the New Brunswick government and local institutions, culminating in the establishment of the new facility in St. Stephen.

Building Boats and Community
One key factor in choosing St. Stephen was the availability of a trainable labour force. Hanson emphasized the importance of skilled labour in maintaining Limestone’s high standards. "Even though there's a rich history of boat building in the Maritimes, it's primarily commercial boat building, which differs from high-end recreational boat building," he noted. To bridge this gap, Limestone partnered with the New Brunswick Community College (NBCC) to create the Limestone School of Boat Building, ensuring a steady pipeline of skilled workers.

The training program is unique, offering students paid training and a guaranteed job upon graduation. "Typically, we bring apprentices into a manufacturing environment, which can be disruptive. By training students in a controlled environment before they transition to the plant floor, we maintain efficiency and quality," Hanson explained.

The Art of Boat Building
The episode highlighted the meticulous process of building a Limestone boat from scratch. Hanson gave a detailed tour, explaining each step from the initial resin moulding to the final assembly. "We spray the colour in first, then build the structure in that," he said, describing the initial steps of the process. Viewers saw how care and precision are paramount, with moulds polished to a mirror finish to ensure the highest quality.

The tour also showcased the advanced vacuum infusion process used to create stronger, lighter parts. "Instead of using rollers and resin manually, it's all controlled," Hanson explained. This modern technique not only improves the quality of the boats but also provides a cleaner, safer working environment for employees.

A Bright Future
As the episode drew to a close, Hanson shared his vision for the future of Limestone Boats in St. Stephen. The company plans to expand its workforce significantly and increase production to meet the growing demand for its boats. "We look to hire upwards of 200 to 250 people here in this facility and an expanded facility on the footprint," he said. This growth is expected to positively impact the local economy, providing numerous job opportunities and fostering community pride.