LEWISTON – Hannaford Bros., the supermarket company, has taken the lead as Maine’s largest private employer, surpassing Bath Iron Works and L.L. Bean, officials said.

The grocer employs 10,021 part- and full-time workers, according to its payroll. The shipyard employs nearly 7,000.

Hannaford gained the upper hand sometime in 1999 or 2000, said Gerard Dennison, a labor analyst for the state.

BIW is now roughly tied for second, he said, with L.L. Bean.

Wal-Mart and Maine Medical Center Foundation round out the top five, according to state numbers.

Hannaford spokeswoman Caren Epstein said she has known for a while that the company was within the top three, but was unaware it was No. 1.

Hannaford has 46 Shop ‘n Save stores around the state, from Millinocket to York. The chain added a new store in Falmouth last June and a new store in York in November 1999. Those were the last significant hirings, she said.