2021 WOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNER snapped on their racks for displaying bar coded labels , hanging label holders , COVID 19 barriers that surrounded the inventory shelving , and inventory stock picking totes were quickly made part of the work statement .
We rearranged our warehouse to support the high volume of truckloads of materials that were arriving daily to keep up with demand . As a result , we secured a range of business that was out of our core strengths . We earned the business because of our commitment to deliver . Making this shift enabled Altek to manufacture millions of parts to support Amazon ’ s needs , and that contributed substantially to our monthly sales volumes . The best part is that this shift helped us retain many jobs on the Altek Team . We are still supporting Amazon today and will most likely continue to do so for many years to come .
After temporarily filling the void in our business , we knew we needed mid-term and long-term solutions to build our business back stronger than ever , so we assembled a team for a needs-assessment followed by an action plan . We first decided on the new industries we should focus on — deciding on medical , aerospace , space , technology , and defense — then put the wheels in motion to uncover where they were located and who the main contacts were .
We realized this was also the right time to launch a major rebranding and marketing effort to best prepare ourselves to support new industries and to come out of the challenges we were facing stronger than before . We defined the brand architecture , starting with a new corporate logo and new logos for all markets , and we developed our brand promise . Out of that , we developed our new tagline , a new website , new social media campaigns , a new digital virtual tour of our facility , an industry video series , and a capabilities video series to showcase specific areas and core strengths . We also remodeled portions of the Altek facility to boost employee morale and to have a positive impact with each site visit to bolster the new customer experience .
Altek ’ s over-arching goal was to make sure we were not seen only as an aerospace or medical manufacturer , and not solely as an injection molding house or a commoditized machine shop .
We realized we needed to present ourselves as a Solutions Provider , which has been our strength for many years . Being an integrator for the Inland Northwest Aerospace Consortium ( INWAC )— making the association an extension of our business to provide complete assemblies — has also been a major part of helping Altek advance our position in the global aerospace supply chain .
We are committed to continuing to deliver Manufacturing Innovation , as our new tagline clearly states .
PNAA ADVANCE / 2022
PNAA ' s WIA Woman of the Year Award recognizes a woman who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and success over several years . The nominee will have a track record of long-term achievements , professional growth , and community involvement and has distinguished herself in her organization , her profession , and her community . This woman is known for her positive and competent abilities . The Nominee epitomizes the values for which PNAA stands and represents the best of who we are as wom en and as leaders .
WOMAN OF THE YEAR
NANCY WHITE CEO AT CUSTOM INTERFACE
Nancy White was nominated for the 2021 PNAA Woman of the Year award because this manager , business leader , co-owner and CEO gives back as much as she gains from the aerospace community . For almost 30 years Nancy has volunteered for think tanks , technical advisory commi�ees , and community and economic development councils . Here are some personal examples : As a CEO Nancy provided oversight to ensure that as a customer , program needs were met and her team exceeded expecta�ons . Even her first customer is s�ll a customer ! One team member reports that as a manager Nancy was open to allowing him to explore a variety of roles and a chance to grow his capabili�es . As a colleague , Nancy provides in�mate feedback and ensures she nurtures mentor rela�onships .
Nancy has amassed a talented and diverse team that supports the industry worldwide . Her employees are dedicated because they know they ma�er to Nancy . She offers the employees the opportunity to co-own the business through an Employee Stock Op�on Plan . Nancy is commi�ed to trea�ng customers , employees , vendors and colleagues with respect and integrity . She walks the talk and creates an environment where her team knows they are in it for the long game . No shortcuts .
Working in the very small town of Bingen , Washington ( popula�on 800 ), in a beau�ful LEED-compliant facility on the Columbia River in the heart of the Cascades , Nancy and the team have a saying , “ We try really hard to say Yes .” Today PNAA says Yes , to honoring Nancy White as the 2021 PNAA Woman of the Year .
FEBRUARY | MARCH 2022 ISSUE NO . 25 135