Gregoire tours Airbus, promotes Washington aerospace supply companies

For Immediate Release: June 24, 2011

Wrapping up her eight-day trade mission today, Gov. Chris Gregoire introduced leaders from Washington aerospace supply companies to executives at Airbus � encouraging the aerospace giant to consider Washington suppliers as it manufactures new planes.

�No other aerospace center matches what Washington state can offer,� Gregoire said. �Not only are we home to one of the largest plane manufacturers anywhere � we�re home to companies that provide the tires our planes land on, build the seats we sit in, create the bolts and screws that hold the planes together and develop in-flight videos and entertainment systems. Washington state is home to an incredibly diverse aerospace supply chain that serves plane manufacturers around the world. I�m doing everything I can to ensure these supply companies are successful and expand to create new jobs for Washingtonians.�

Hamburg is home to Germany�s largest Airbus facility, which plays a decisive role in developing and engineering all Airbus aircraft. Final assembly takes place here for three of the A320 Family�s four members. Hamburg is also the site where the A300/A310, A320 Family aircraft and the A380 are fitted with their cabin interiors and painted for final delivery.

Gregoire also visited CFK Valley, Germany�s leading carbon fiber research center, and discussed collaboration on carbon fiber research, and development and production of carbon fiber for aerospace, automotive and wind energy. Washington state is home to more than 40 carbon fiber and composite companies, producing light weight material used in planes, vehicles, boats, wind turbines and lightweight solar energy systems. Many of the companies receive support through the state�s Center for Advanced Manufacturing Puget Sound, which provides guidance on manufacturing opportunities and emerging industries, as well as support to ensure companies become supply-chain capable.

�CAMPS is pleased to accompany Gov. Gregoire on this trade mission as we continue our efforts to help our small- and medium-size Washington state manufacturers retool and diversify into wind and solar energy markets where composites play a key role,� said Tom McLaughlin, Executive Director for the Center for Advanced Manufacturing Puget Sound. �CAMPS has been developing relationships with major wind turbine OEM�s and we hope to strengthen those ties and help our companies capitalize on other growing opportunities in the global clean energy supply chain.�

�Carbon fiber and composites are emerging industries of opportunity for Washington state,� Gregoire said. �With SGL now producing carbon fiber material for BMW�s next fuel-efficient vehicle in Moses Lake, Washington has the potential to be one of the largest producers of this material in the world. Working together with industry leaders in Germany, we hope to expand our footprint as a leading, cost-effective location for producing raw carbon fiber and composite materials and for high-quality advanced manufacturing, engineering and design.�

Several delegates joined Gregoire in the CFK meeting, including representatives from our state's aerospace training programs. While there, Gregoire witnessed leaders from the Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee sign a memorandum of understanding with Germany's Capable Technologies to combine their training expertise. The agreement will strengthen AJAC's training programs, which will help the organization recruit new business and expand current business in Washington state by supporting a highly-skilled, specially trained workforce. AJAC signed a second agreement with Lufthansa Technical Training. The agreement creates a partnership between the two companies to develop and deploy European Aviation Safety Agency certified training to Washington aerospace employees.

"The agreements signed today ensure Washington state maintains its competitive edge by offering aerospace companies a specially-trained workforce," said Jesse Cote, AJAC chair. "The agreements are also another innovative example of labor and management working together to enhance the aerospace industry in our communities."

Gregoire concluded her trade mission today and will return to Washington state over the weekend.

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