business backgrounder | manufacturing
State of Manufacturing‘ at risk’ in Washington
The Manufacturing Week bus tour kicked off Oct. 1 with AWB’ s third annual State of Manufacturing Address, staged against a backdrop of container cranes at the Port of Seattle.
“ The state of manufacturing in Washington is, unfortunately, at risk,” AWB President Kris Johnson said.“ It’ s built on a strong foundation of innovation and resiliency, but the future is fragile because of the policy environment in Olympia and Washington, D. C.”
Johnson pointed to three major threats: rising taxes, overregulation and trade disruptions. The Legislature approved $ 9.4 billion in tax increases this year, including higher B & O taxes and an expanded sales tax that will hit small and mid-size firms hardest. Meanwhile, Washington’ s increasingly complex regulatory environment is diverting time and resources away from innovation and expansion.
At the federal level, sweeping new tariffs are leading to higher costs, lost markets and delayed investments, he noted. Ongoing trade uncertainty also makes long-term planning difficult.
Johnson outlined three steps to strengthen the state’ s competitiveness: rein in state government spending, cut the cost of complying with often duplicative regulations, and ensure free and fair trade.
“ Washington manufacturers aren’ t asking for a handout,” he said.“ They’ re asking for a fair shot. If lawmakers focus on these steps, Washington manufacturers will do the rest.”
The program also featured Amelia Cook, co-owner of Goodwinds Composites in Mount Vernon, who discussed the challenges facing small manufacturers, and a bipartisan panel with state Reps. Sam Low, R-Lake Stevens, and Amy Walen, D-Kirkland.
“ We love it here, and we want to make sure that we extend our doors to the community so they know what we’ re doing,” said plant manager Lucinda Mills.
explosive welding in sequim
High Energy Metals in Carlsborg uses explosive welding to bond dissimilar metals like stainless steel, aluminum and titanium that can’ t be joined with conventional welding. Founded in 1997, High Energy Metals has been in the Sequim area for about half that time and employs 20 people.
“ We work with lots of customers that have unique problems that we help solve and it’ s been great,” said Michael Drum, a product engineer.“ We get to work with them to develop unique applications.”
The company fills a niche market, supplying parts for pipe fittings, boats, airplanes— and even rockets and moon landers, including an upcoming Mars mission. In space applications, Drum noted, weight is critical: a customer might need stainless steel valves paired with lighter titanium parts.
high-tech training in spokane
West Valley High School in Spokane Valley now has a modern manufacturing shop thanks to a $ 200,000 grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce and support from local employers. Upgrades include a new welding booth, cabinets, lighting and fresh paint, plus new tools donated by Wagstaff Inc., Mackay Manufacturing and Kaiser Aluminum. Similar to the project at East Valley High School in 2023, students were hired to do the renovations themselves.
The program prepares students for careers in engineering, manufacturing and other technical trades, aiming to meet the needs of local employers. As of fall term, classes are full, serving about 300 students. During the tour, bipartisan state legislators participated in a discussion on workforce development.
“ It’ s really giving them the hands-on experience,” said Wade Larson, director of workforce development at Wagstaff.“ It’ s one thing to talk about it; it’ s another thing to live it and do it.”
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