suggested I apply for a job. It was only supposed to be temporary.” His experience is a reminder of the notion that if we’ re open to it, serendipity happens during times of great change, most often when we least expect it.
Rich joined the company as an assembler. His career at the company grew and over time; Sealth also grew its customer base overseas. For decades, Sealth focused primarily on domestic business, producing mechanical devices for aircraft and, later, marine vessels. In the mid-1990’ s, they hired an outside salesperson to build their international market.“ But by the mid-2010’ s, we pulled back again to focus on domestic sales,” he recalled.
By the time COVID-19 spread worldwide, Rich was an expert at seeing opportunity in shifting circumstances. And he helped lead Sealth as they changed plans again.“ The pandemic led to production challenges at Boeing, and we wanted to regain an international foothold,” he explained.
“ This time, we wanted to grow our international business from within the company.”
WHY AM I SEEING THE WA STATE EMBLEM IN GERMANY?
By now, Rich served as Sealth’ s CEO. As part of the process to expand, in 2023, he attended the Aircraft Interiors Exhibition( AIX). Held every year at Hamburg Messe in Germany, it’ s the world’ s leading showcase for cabin interior products. He walked the show floor as a spectator to gauge how the aerospace industry was bouncing back with participation in trade shows.
“ While I was walking the floor, I turned a corner and wondered Why is there a Washington State emblem in my face?” he laughed.“ Then I ran into a lot of competitors and suppliers.”
These AIX delegates were part of the Choose Washington State Exhibit. They joined forces with other Washington industry companies and with the Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness( OEDC) at the Washington State Department of Commerce. Together, they formed the Washington State Pavilion. In 2012, Washington State began co-exhibiting with delegate companies at trade shows, like AIX.
Along with familiarizing himself with the Choose Washington State trade show program, it was also his first introduction to the State Trade Expansion Program, called STEP. The STEP Export Vouchers are cash reimbursements for small businesses to help offset expenses of expanding international sales. Eligible reimbursement awards include expenses for trade show and trade mission fees, airfare, interpreter and translation services, export training and more. Qualifying companies must meet and adhere to a few program criteria and complete an online application.
Today, Washington State represents the largest aerospace cluster in the United States, with manufacturers, materials suppliers, and consultants representing an array of specialties in the aerospace industry. Exhibiting as part
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