SERENDIPITY IN ACTION
Sealth Aero Marine Takes a Big STEP Toward International Markets:
SERENDIPITY IN ACTION
By Joanna Boatwright— International Trade Specialist, WA State Dept of Commerce
PRESENTED BY WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
IT WAS 1959, AND PLANNING FOR THE SEATTLE WORLD’ S FAIR WAS WELL UNDERWAY.
From his basement, Weldon Andrews punched out mechanical materials, such as latches and hinges, serving as a supplier for the Boeing Company. Along with co-founder, James Matuska, the pair felt it fitting to name their company Sealth, in honor of Chief Sealth from the Duwamish tribe.
Joanna Boatwright International Trade Specialist | Office of Economic Development, Washington State Department of Commerce( OEDC / COM)
SEALTH AERO MARINE
Just like the first Boeing 707 airplanes, Sealth’ s business took off. Before the groundbreaking of the Space Needle, the company’ s production grew large enough to open a light manufacturing facility in Seattle’ s Queen Anne district. Business was good, making it easy to thrive with customers inside the Pacific Northwest.
In 1989 Sealth expanded to a larger facility in Mill Creek, Washington. At that time, Rich Olson was a scholar athlete who planned to become an accountant.“ But those plans changed,” he said,“ Right after I got injured playing basketball.”
IT WAS GOING TO BE A TOUCH-AND-GO
Rich needed to come up with a new plan and wondered what was next.“ My cousin worked for Sealth and
46 NORTHWEST AEROSPACE NEWS