Keen to demonstrate to the teams that this was more than just management speak , the leadership team of AIM Aerospace quickly followed with action , investing in new machines , collaboratively competing for – and winning – new business with proposals developed across multiple sites , and placing work from new UAV contracts into their Renton facility . Significant investment is being placed in the Renton and Sumner facilities ( the Auburn facility will be consolidated with Sumner ), modernizing them to reflect the quality of the aerospace parts they produce and hence improving safety standards , efficiency and preparing them for growth . In January 2019 they will be qualified to complete more complex carbon fiber work . AIM Aerospace intends to grow the business by 50 percent and employ an additional 200-300 people in the next four years – the majority of which will be in Washington – by focusing more on composite engine components , complex structures and UAVs . While one may ask how this is possible given the adoption of automation , AIM Aerospace isn ’ t looking to Industry 4.0 simply to reduce labor and hence costs , but more importantly as a means of creating a safer environment for employees , providing an enhanced customer experience through high delivery and quality , and enabling the company to win more business . Cagnatel comments that , “ We are focused on automation to help us grow the company through industry-leading safety , quality , delivery and cost … enabling us to achieve the most competitive position and secure more jobs in the state .”
The Power of Employee Engagement
Reflecting the dynamic changes taking place at AIM Aerospace , the company leadership has changed significantly over the past year , with a stream of experienced and highly talented individuals joining the AIM Aerospace team . They are charged with embracing three key responsibilities :
1 . Moving the industrial needle for the implementation of technologies and services .
2 . Differentiating the company through their approach to customer support , being one of partner over supplier , and taking a proactive rather than reactive approach to customer management .
3 . Attracting better talent to the business , combined with the points above , leading to significant growth , customer and investor satisfaction , and increased jobs for the company .
54 NORTHWEST AEROSPACE NEWS