business backgrounder | manufacturing
This new green building on land donated by power company Avista to create “ the five smartest blocks in the world ” was a fitting setting for a talk on innovation .
From discussions on the smart grid to innovations in health care , the talk also focused on women in manufacturing .
Julie Lawton of Airborne Motorworks joined via Zoom and described the personal air vehicle being created in Spokane Valley . Like a cross between a motorcycle and a quadcopter , the company ’ s 100 % electric aircraft will be custom-made and able to travel for 5-6 hours on a charge .
Allison Budvarson , chief operating officer at Out of the Box Manufacturing in Renton , said employers have a responsibility to advocate for women in the company and to mentor them .
“ Outreach to schools is a huge part of encouraging young women to go into manufacturing ,” said Budvarson , whose high-tech Renton facility annually invites students to visit for national Manufacturing Day tours .
sustainability , featuring technology , energy and carbon
The tour then headed to Walla Walla for a live broadcast from the Water & Environment Center at Walla Walla Community College , an appropriate location for a discussion on sustainability .
During a panel discussion on energy , participants agreed that natural gas is a key way to provide reliable , affordable , cleaner energy for homes , businesses and a healthy manufacturing economy and will therefore play an important role in Washington ’ s move toward de-carbonization .
Research continues on the kind of batteries that could eventually capture solar and wind power . The lithium ion battery lag time from invention to mass production was about 40 years , said Carl Imhoff , in charge of smart grid , energy storage & demand response the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory .
“ We are about four to five years away from the next breakthrough ,” Imhoff said .
Energy innovations need skilled workers , and students told us about the relevant training in Walla Walla . Darnelle Larish , a welding program student , said she ’ s building on her lifelong love of making things . “ I ’ m interested in seeing how far I can go ,” she said . supply chain , featuring trade , transportation and infrastructure
After crossing back over state and the Columbia River , the next day ’ s broadcast was from Pier 23 in Vancouver , barely a stone ’ s throw from the functionally obsolete Interstate 5 bridge . The century-old span symbolizes the importance of transportation infrastructure and the looming need for further investment .
During a bipartisan legislative panel , Sen . Annette Cleveland , D-Vancouver , noted that infrastructure investments must include roads and bridges , but also broadband .
“ Covid has ... clearly exposed the divide between those who have access to broadband and those who do not ,” Cleveland said .
Sen . John Braun , R-Centralia , said our state ’ s tax policy is putting manufacturing at a disadvantage . “ What we can do is provide an environment that lets them compete with others ,” Braun said . Former AWB Board Chair Tim Schauer discussed the need for continued public engagement on a new infrastructure package .
Pointing to traffic on the antiquated Interstate 5 drawbridge behind him , Schauer said , “ If we do our job right , it will be a different background in a couple years .”
agriculture , featuring food and beverage manufacturing and distribution
The next stop on the tour was at a delicious location — the new and growing production facility for Kettle Cuisine located in Everett . This maker of artisanal soups provides fresh product to Walmart and many other major retailers , with chefs overseeing each batch and workers cutting herbs for each recipe .
The largest producer of fresh soups in America has perfected how to “ do artisan at scale ,” said Kettle Cuisine CEO Liam McClennon . He introduced their newest product — a line of macaroni and cheese for sale under Walmart ’ s Marketside brand .
Danielle Lyman , senior merchandising director in deli for Walmart , said Kettle Cuisine ’ s artisanal product fits with Walmart ’ s focus on pushing sustainability even further .
“ We want to be a regenerative company , not just a sustainable one ,” Lyman said .
36 association of washington business