By Abigail W. Adams
Frank “Bud” Gallagher stands in front of the future home of Floatworks Inc. at 654 Bath Rd. in Wiscasset Thursday, Nov. 13. The Wiscasset Planning Board recently approved Gallagher’s site plan review application and he will open for business soon. |
In less than 20 minutes at the Wiscasset Planning Board meeting Monday, Nov. 10, over a year of preparation by Frank “Bud” Gallagher came to fruition. Floatworks Inc.,
currently based in Westport Island, will be moving to 654 Bath Rd. in Wiscasset.
Floatworks, a marine construction, manufacturing, and service company, has been in operation for over 20 years. It specializes in the construction of docks, floats,
and piers, and provides mooring services, in addition to general construction.
“We build whatever we need to build for people,” Gallagher said.
The origin of Floatworks Inc. can be traced back to 1983 when Gallagher, a Bath native, moved to Westport Island. Frank Cromwell, a general contractor, was helping
Gallagher build his house. He also built floats.
Recognizing Gallagher’s talents, Cromwell enlisted him to help out with his float business. Gallagher was happy to oblige. A full-time employee at Bath Iron Works,
Gallagher worked with Cromwell on a part-time basis until, in 1999, he unleashed himself from the “golden chains around his neck” and became the sole proprietor of Floatworks.
As to why he chose to quit Bath Iron Works after 21 years and sacrifice the benefits he had accumulated from his time there, Gallagher said, “I have a different work
ethic. I have a need to do things. It drove me to do something else.”
Since its humble beginnings, Floatworks has grown to support three full-time staff and a part-time secretary, and serve an estimated 100 clients a year. However, it
was still being operated out of Gallagher’s house.
Gallagher credits his neighbor and best friend Chester Clarridge for the support and encouragement that prompted him to take the plunge and buy property on Route 1
to house his growing business.
A major hurdle in setting up shop in Wiscasset was crossed when Gallagher’s site plan review application was given the green light by the planning board. Gallagher’s
application included plans for a 1,008-square-foot office building, 5,000-square-foot manufacturing and storage facility, and an outdoor boat storage area.
Gallagher and his team are building the office and manufacturing/storage facility with their own bare hands. They expect the buildings to be complete by the end of
November. The Floatworks office will have a post-and-beam structure with timber Gallagher cut himself.
That same personal touch that Gallagher and his team are putting into Floatworks’ new home can also be found in the structures they build for their clients.
“Everything is personal for people,” Gallagher said. “It’s nice for us because whatever they require we build. We can fill that requirement. We can fit the special needs of
people.”
When asked if he was nervous about the financial risk he was taking in expanding his business, Gallagher shook his head resolutely. “I work with my hands,” Gallagher
said. “Everything that I’ve done has been positive because of that. You have to love what you do. And I do.”
