Port, EDC among state delegates at Japan aerospace event
Washington state has developed into a leading global hub for the aerospace industry and a seven-person delegation with the Washington State Department of Commerce is in Tokyo to convince the world of that fact today at the Japan International Aerospace Exhibition.
The “Choose Washington” delegation will promote leading the state’s position to an estimated 700 exhibitors from over 35 countries participating in the event, organized by the Society of Japanese Aerospace Companies.
Grant County Economic Development Council/ASPI Group and Port of Moses Lake join an impressive state-wide group, which also includes Pierce County Economic Development, Air Informatics LLC, AMGI Inc, IDEA International Inc, LKD Aerospace, Net-Inspect, Nova-Tech Engineering and TMD Technical Solutions.
Port of Moses Lake executive director Jeffrey Bishop and EDC executive director Linda Martin are part of the delegation.
“We continue to set the pace for innovation here, and we continue to set the pace for aircraft production, thanks to 136,100 men and women who make up the finest aerospace workforce in the world,” said Commerce Director Brian Bonlender.
Networking events for the delegation include a visit to the manufacturing, repair and overhaul facility of All Nippon Airways at Haneda Airport and a country briefing at the U.S. Embassy.
A Washington-built Boeing 737 takes off or lands somewhere in the world every 2.2 seconds. Last year, 95 percent of all the commercial aircraft produced in North America was built in Washington. The state has 1,350 aerospace-related companies providing every major manufacturer and airline in the world with machinery, parts, avionics, components, structures, interiors and services. Washington workers produce 1,400 new planes and unmanned aerial system vehicles annually.
“Accounting for 11 percent of all wages, the impact of our aerospace industry extends well beyond the Puget Sound region,” Bonlender said. “Trade missions like this one are helping small and medium-sized businesses access new markets.”
The director of the Washington State Office of Aerospace and industry sector lead John Thornquist agrees. “The Japan International Aerospace event takes place every four years, making this a unique opportunity for Washington state companies to meet and do business with the biggest names in Japan’s industry as well as companies, investors and potential partners from all over the world,” said Thornquist.
Washington’s aerospace, tech and advanced manufacturing workforces are known worldwide. State investments and public-private partnerships continue to bolster an already powerful competitive advantage.
Highlights include: $8 million per year pledged to fund 1,000 additional seats in high-demand programs; $2 million to establish a carbon fiber wing fabrication training program at the Washington Aerospace Training and Research Center; and $12.5 million to fund development of the Central Aerospace Training Center near the 737 plant in Renton. Commerce also supports customized training designed to meet the specific needs of aerospace companies through the Washington Work Start program.
Twenty-four of 34 Washington community and technical colleges offer aerospace training programs. The Center of Excellence for Aerospace and Advanced Manufacturing at Everett Community College was awarded a $3.8 million White House TechHire Partnership Grant this year from the U.S. Department of Labor.
Rodney Harwood can be reached at 509-765-4561 ext. 111 or businessag@columbiabasinherald.com.