washington business
A Houston neighborhood’ s sump pump, powered by Vaughan’ s exclusive design and manufactured by the company’ s 110 employees in Montesano, removed 2.5 million gallons of water over two days, operating despite sucking in fishing nets, 2-by-4 planks and other flood debris.
And during that same devastating storm, search and rescue operations took place on watercraft made in Bremerton and Tacoma by SAFE Boats International.
Not every job has that level of heroic impact, but manufacturers know that they are making something that matters.
At the century-old Pendleton Woolen Mills in Washougal, 200 workers using complex looms create elaborate blankets and durable clothing, working three shifts around the clock.
John Charles, a picker who sorts and separates the different colors and grades of wool, has been at Pendleton for seven years. He trains other employees and buys Pendleton clothing for himself and his family.“ I like to wear quality clothes and I try to do a quality job,” he said. In Tacoma, where the unique all-weather Rite in the Rain paper is made, employees say the diversity of the 400-plus custom products make the workday unique.
“ I like to wear quality clothes, so I try to do a quality job.”
— John Charles, a seven-year employee of Pendleton Woolen Mills in Washougal, who proudly clothes himself and his family in the fabrics he helps the company create
“ You’ re doing what nobody else in the whole world is doing,” said Margo Moon, an 11-year employee.“ I can’ t wait to get to work. You never know what you’ re going to do.”
Just as employees know that they’ re building something that matters, the owners and managers of Washington’ s manufacturing companies know that they are supporting their communities by providing quality jobs.
crucial to economy
For AWB staff, the trip underscored the importance of manufacturing to the health of communities, especially small communities outside of the urban centers.
“ A lot of major manufacturing happens in rural areas,” said Colin Hastings, executive director of the Pasco Chamber of Commerce.“ Rural areas depend on these jobs, and trade is extremely important to the region.” spring 2018 39