what ’ s working
“ I think the impact on every family member across the board , whether it ’ s good-paying jobs , bringing families back together ... I think [ manufacturing ] bridges that gap of where people are divided across our nation right now .”
— Rep . Matt Boehnke , R-Kennewick
PNNL received a Green Manufacturing Excellence award for a new technology it developed called ShAPE , which reduces energy use by up to 70 % in key metals manufacturing processes . It can also accelerate manufacturing by 10-fold . The end result could be much lighter , more energy-efficient vehicles .
Just down the road , nonprofit manufacturer SIGN Fracture Care creates simple tools to help doctors across the world treat seriously broken leg bones without requiring people to spend months in traction . Their products have healed 360,000 patients in 55 countries over the past two decades .
“ When we come here we ’ re not competing ,” said Sean Bradley , a 22-year employee who manages production for SIGN Fracture Care . “ We ’ re on a common mission . It ’ s very rewarding . Everyone who works here buys into that vision . It ’ s much more than just making parts for profit .”
training for the future
Creating a manufacturing renaissance will require a firstclass workforce .
That ’ s uppermost on the minds of people like William Murray , a career and technical education teacher at Capital High School in Olympia . His students build about the best act
The 2021 Legislature unanimously approved Substitute House Bill 1170 , the Building Economic Strength Through Manufacturing ( BEST ) Act , sponsored by Rep . Matt Boehnke , R-Kennewick , and co-sponsored by Rep . Dave Paul , D-Oak Harbor .
It provides a framework for the state to add 300,000 new manufacturing jobs over the next 10 years . The bill also seeks to double the number of small manufacturing firms and the number of women- and minorityowned manufacturing firms in Washington .
AWB Government Affairs Director Tommy Gantz supported HB 1170 as it worked through the Legislature before passing 96-0 in the House and 48-0 in the Senate .
“ This bill can help change the statistics on equity in the manufacturing sector , and it ’ s extremely important to encourage more women and people of color to engage in manufacturing ,” Gantz testified during a January hearing of the House Community & Economic Development Committee .
“ Boosting a diverse workforce is important to the overall success of this industry ,” she added , “ because these employees present an incredible opportunity for manufacturers to tap into an essential pool of quality talent , innovation , perspective and it will also make the organizations more resourceful and innovative , boost revenue , and ultimately make them more competitive .”
The bill :
• States that it is the goal of Washington state to double the state ’ s manufacturing jobs , double the number of small businesses in manufacturing , and double the number of women- and minorityowned manufacturing businesses over 10 years ;
• Directs the state Department of Commerce to identify the strategic initiatives needed to achieve the goals laid out in SHB 1170 ;
• Requires biennial reporting to the Legislature on the state ’ s progress in achieving these goals , and requires policy recommendations from a broad-based manufacturing council ;
• Assists the Department of Commerce in forming strategies tailored to each region of the state to grow the manufacturing workforce ;
• Directs the department to appoint a workforce innovation sector lead to identify needs and coordinate with state agencies to meet them ;
• Directs the department to report to the Legislature on how to strengthen the research and development sector that supports manufacturing innovation . winter 2022 17