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Wenatchee Valley Business World | August 2016
GUEST COLUMN
Boeing’s 100th anniversary is a big story made possible by small businesses
O
ne hundred years ago, on June 15, 1916, Bill Boeing founded the company that would grow to become a global icon and a bedrock of the Washington state economy. The company’s story, including its long history of innovation and its many contributions to the Puget Sound region, are well-documented. By Kris But the 100th Johnson anniversary of Boeing Association of is more than just a Washington chance to reflect on the Business company itself. It’s also a chance to recognize the hundreds — yes, hundreds — of Washington small businesses that contribute to Boeing’s success, a vast network of small and medium-size manufacturers located in every corner of the state. These manufacturers and their employees are the backbone of Boeing’s operations and often the backbone of
the communities in which they are located, but they are easily overlooked, quietly providing blue collar, family wage jobs without the flash of some other industries. So as we celebrate Boeing’s 100th anniversary, we also pause to celebrate companies like Valley Machine Shop in Kent, American Excelsior Company in Yakima, Royell Manufacturing Inc. in Everett, Tool Gauge & Machine Works in Tacoma, Scanivalve Corporation in Liberty Lake, Hobart Machined Products, in Hobart and Ellensburg, and P&J Machining in Puyallup. These employers represent just a few of the Washington manufacturers that supply parts and services to Boeing. In 2014, Boeing purchased nearly $6 billion from Washington suppliers, and in 2015 the company purchased goods and services from 1,740 suppliers in Washington state. Of those, approximately 760 were small manufacturers. One of them is Hobart Machined Products. Rosemary Brester and her husband, Larry, started the company in their garage in 1974. One of the first jobs was making door latches for the Boeing
All the treats sold in the store are made in the U.S.
Grooming pets can be a dirty job. In fact, All for Paws co-owner Beth Crawshaw said the profession has been featured in the show, “Dirty Jobs.”
make grooming appointments three days in advance, but they do accept walk-ins, if scheduling allows. All For Paws began when co-owner, Dian Langlois, approached Crawshaw about the possibility of starting a business together. “She was a client I groomed for,” Crawshaw said. “I had been grooming for so long, I was thrilled to have an opportunity to do it close to home.” Together, the made a stellar combination. With Crawshaw handling the dogs and Langlois handling the financials, they built the only pet grooming store in Chelan in the spring of 2015. Crawshaw said she enjoyed the transition from the business she was working at before to where she is now. “I have the freedom and abilities to do a lot more things than I could do if I worked for a corporation,” Crawshaw said. “I don’t have to cage dogs, I can let them reign free.” Despite the pair’s success, dog grooming wasn’t always on Crawshaw’s mind as a career. “I saw myself as a vet until I realized I don’t like blood,” she said. “When I was 16, I was looking for a summer job and decided bathing dogs sounded like fun.” The business had its difficulties
starting off, however. “Being noticed was a challenge,” Crawshaw said. “Or being found, getting people to realize that I’m here.” Fortunately, through some smart promotion, All For Paws was able to become the beloved grooming store it is today. “A lot of it was done through KOZI (radio) and word of mouth,” Crawshaw said. She also said she has seen an influx of new customers. What makes Crawshaw so adept at her work is her ability to have an understanding of every individual dog that comes through her door. “I’m not a dog person, but I spend every day with dogs,” she said. “I’ve done it for so long that you learn their body movements. If you know a dog, you can tell what it’s going to do and how it’s going to act. It’s all basic psychology with dogs.” Her love for canine companions developed at age 7 with a bond she developed with her uncle’s golden retriever, Jamie. “I got into trouble with that golden retriever,” Crawshaw said with a chuckle. “We used to sneak into my aunt’s tomato garden where I would teach him tricks and reward him with our tomatoes. Then we’d get caught
727 airplane. Over the years, Hobart has expanded its operations well beyond Boeing, manufacturing machined products for a host of aerospace, medical and automotive companies, as well as the U.S. military. P&J Machining was also founded in a garage by current President Paul Hogoboom’s parents. He and his father both had day jobs, but they worked nights building their business. The company opened at its current location in Puyallup in 1986 and now has three buildings with about 70,000 square feet. There are similar stories to be found all across the state. And while these small manufacturers may not grab a lot of headlines on their own, the numbers tell the story of their importance to the Washington economy: Last year, Washington state was home to approximately 267,000 jobs supported by aerospace, and Boeing supported some 206,000 Washington jobs. It’s hard to overstate Boeing’s impact to the Washington economy, and equally hard to overstate the importance of the relationship between Boeing and its hundreds of small suppliers.
In community after community and small business after business, we see evidence that Boeing’s contributions to Washington’s economy go far beyond the boundaries of its own workforce. The business that was founded a century ago has not only grown into one of the world’s great companies, it has also helped to build an aerospace industry and legacy in Washington state. As Boeing looks to the next century, its ambitions remain large: It’s leading the way in developing the next generation of aircraft, and its space program is developing a transportation system that will take NASA to and from the International Space Station. But it’s clear that in order to achieve its big goals, it will continue to rely upon the skilled workforce of hundreds of small businesses throughout Washington. Kris Johnson is president of the Association of Washington Business, Washington state’s chamber of commerce and manufacturing association.
Business World photos/Mike Bonnicksen
Annie the dog got a Seattle Seahawks jersey after coming in for a bath and getting her fur tidied up at All For Paws in Chelan. and we’d both be thrown into the bath together.” Despite claiming to be a cat person, Crawshaw owns two dogs herself, a wirehaired Dachshund and a black shepherd. “I don’t think there’s a person in this world who has more spoiled dogs than I do,” she said. Crawshaw can’t help but to play favorites with her dogs, preferring the personalities of West Highland white terriers and schnauzers. “They’re full of personality,” she said. “Most dogs of the same breed are very
similar. For example, all poodles are really timid, but (West Highland’s and schnauzers) are not that way. You have to learn each dog.” Crawshaw loves seeing different customers come in and all the experiences and pets they bring with them. “Our customers are anybody who has a dog or cat that loves them,” Crawshaw said. “We get all walks of life, and that’s probably the funnest thing . You get to meet the richest of the rich or the poorest of the poor. Their pets are their children no matter what.”