COMMERCE FUELS Aviation Manufacturing Expansion
By Joanna Boatwright— International Trade Specialist, WA State Dept of Commerce
PRESENTED BY WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
IT TAKES MONEY TO MAKE MONEY.
This paradox magnifies among aerospace suppliers in Washington State. They often bid projects against competitors from across the country and face slim margins. Expanding operations to meet both production and pricing requirements while staring down demands for innovative solutions can be a costly proposition. The Washington State Department of Commerce offers help to offset those expenses, making expansion more affordable.
Joanna Boatwright International Trade Specialist | Office of Economic Development, Washington State Department of Commerce( OEDC / COM)
LAFARGE + EGGE
Lafarge & Egge is an aerospace supplier founded in 1962, known for build-to-print small diameter, high-pressure tubing. They were a recipient of the 2024 Washington State Department of Commerce Evergreen Manufacturing Growth Grant— using those funds to fuel expansion efforts. The company recently celebrated their oneyear anniversary at a new Hardeson Road facility in Everett.
“ We started planning on our relocation in 2022 so that we could move in 2024,” says Paul Raidna, Lafarge and Egge’ s CEO. The company chose the site of a former powder coating plant in Everett with plenty of power to meet the company’ s needs.
Looking back on that process he remembers,“ After finding a location, next we had to make significant investments in our build-out, in specialized equipment and in the staff training needed for safe and efficient operations.”
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