State investment in Paris Air Show, European Trade Mission nets more than $4 million in new contracts, creation of new jobs

For Immediate Release: October 13, 2011

Just four short months following Governor Gregoire�s eight-day trade mission to France, Germany and Spain, the state is seeing its investment pay off. Gregoire led more than 75 delegates on the trade mission � and introduced them to key players in the fields of aerospace, life sciences, green energy and automotive technology. Since returning home, those delegates have taken advantage of new relationships developed during the trip, and are solidifying key contracts that will boost Washington state�s economy and create new jobs.


ORION AEROSPACE  Federal Way

As a result of the trade mission, ORION developed several key relationships that the company was unable to cultivate before.

�One of those relations has resulted in two major contracts worth more than $4 million over five years. The contracts will increase employment at our Federal Way plant by about 14 people.�

Tom Brosius
ORION General Manager


ENPRECIS  Seattle

After meeting with three automotive manufacturers during the European trade mission, Enprecis plans to hire five new employees to meet the demands of new contracts that resulted from the trip.

�We�re finalizing a deal with an auto manufacturer for up to $500,000 per year � with another multi-million dollar deal in the works.�

Richard Counihan
Enprecis CEO


TLG AEROSPACE  Seattle

Within months, TLG Aerospace is already seeing the benefits of its time spent at the Paris Air Show. The company is in the process of solidifying several new contracts, and continues to work with other domestic and international clients met during the trip to secure even more.

�The governor�s presence at the Paris Air Show opened doors and allowed high-level meetings for local businesses that would not have been possible without her attendance. We�re currently working active proposals with four new domestic and international clients worth approximately $3 million.�

Steve Muenzberg
TLG Aerospace President and Chief Engineer


ABSOLUTE AVIATION  Spokane

Absolute Aviation attended the trade mission with several goals in mind, and returned from the trip meeting them all. As a result of the trade mission, Absolute expects the company�s international sales will double in the next two years.

�Absolute Aviation had multiple goals, including establishing relationships with new European airline customers. That goal was met, with work already coming from a major commercial airline.�

Randall Julen
Absolute Aviation General Manager


DASSAULT SYSTEMES

Following Governor Gregoire�s meeting with executives from Dassault Systemes at the Paris Air Show, the world leader in 3D and Product Lifecycle Management solutions announced it would bolster its United States west coast operations, and open a Seattle office to serve as its Northwest headquarters. The new office, which will open later this month, will function as a hub for Dassault Syst�mes� 90 current full- and part-time employees in the Northwest and for anticipated additional engineering staff in the future.

�Our centralized operations in the Northwest will help reinforce Dassault Syst�mes� already strong local connections, and we�re enthusiastic about the collaboration and energy that will be fostered as our Seattle employees interact each day in a state-of-the-art office space located in one of the nation�s key technology areas.�

Al Bunshaft
Managing Director of Dassault Syst�mes Americas