By Joanna Boatwright — International Trade Specialist, WA State Dept of Commerce

It takes money to make money.

This paradox magnifies among aerospace suppliers in Washington State. They often bid projects against competitors from across the country and face slim margins. Expanding operations to meet both production and pricing requirements while staring down demands for innovative solutions can be a costly proposition. The Washington State Department of Commerce offers help to offset those expenses, making expansion more affordable.

Lafarge & Egge is an aerospace supplier founded in 1962, known for build-to-print small diameter, high-pressure tubing. They were a recipient of the 2024 Washington State Department of Commerce Evergreen Manufacturing Growth Grant — using those funds to fuel expansion efforts. The company recently celebrated their one-year anniversary at a new Hardeson Road facility in Everett.

“We started planning on our relocation in 2022 so that we could move in 2024,” says Paul Raidna, Lafarge and Egge’s CEO. The company chose the site of a former powder coating plant in Everett with plenty of power to meet the company’s needs.

Looking back on that process he remembers, “After finding a location, next we had to make significant investments in our build-out, in specialized equipment and in the staff training needed for safe and efficient operations.”

Teaming up to grow jobs across Washington Communities

Commerce established the Evergreen Manufacturing Growth Grant to help companies, like L&E, to grow jobs, focusing on rural communities. These grants are awarded to proposals submitted by local economic development groups, referred to as state Associate Development Organizations (ADOs). The Economic Alliance Snohomish County is the ADO that applied for the $200,000 Evergreen Manufacturing Grant on behalf of this project.

“For manufacturers like Lafarge & Egge and its surrounding community, funding from the Evergreen Growth Grant means expansion, modernization, enhanced competitiveness and job creation,” says Ray Stephanson, president & CEO of the Economic Alliance of Snohomish County.

The grant funded infrastructure needs for their expansion and this new facility marks an innovative step in capabilities. As production and demand increases, staffing for the new 38,000-square-foot facility should nearly double, to about 60 employees.

“According to the National Association of Manufacturers, every $1.00 spent in manufacturing generates $2.64 in total economic impact and supports nearly five additional jobs across the economy,” Stephanson stated. “This is the kind of multiplier our communities can’t afford to ignore. Washington must continue these targeted investments to maintain our place as innovators and key players in industry.”

A polished, welcoming space and new state-of-the-art equipment

Today, Lafarge and Egge supports manufacturers and OEMs across various applications and industries. The new space and the build-out have been great for morale. “We cater to fortune 100 companies and tier one and tier two suppliers,” Raidna says. “Our employees are proud of this new facility — from the equipment on the manufacturing floor to the break room — that’s been good for morale. They live this investment, every day, and enjoy their surroundings. That is incredibly valuable.”

One of the features of the new facility includes new inspection equipment to ensure that each work product conforms to a precise specificity for often unique, one-of-a-kind parts. This technology reduces significant inspection and set-up time and has been a game changer for machinery operators, in terms of efficiency.

“They say if you’re not evolving, you’re falling behind, and I’m grateful for a team that constantly brings ideas and innovation to our workspace,” Raidna observes of his staff on the manufacturing floor.

The Evergreen Manufacturing grants support the Building Economic Strength Through Manufacturing (BEST) Act passed by the Washington Legislature in 2021 to provide a framework for adding 300,000 new manufacturing jobs over the ensuring 10 years. Commerce awarded the first round of program grants in April 2023. The next Evergreen Manufacturing Growth Grant application period is anticipated in either late 2025 or early 2026, with a one-month application window period. Those interested in applying for the grant can contact me at Joanna.boatwright@commerce.wa.gov to learn more.