Published February 2003

Aerospace remains promising sector for county

The seeds of our region’s economic recovery may lie within the aerospace industry after all.

Those are bold words, especially about a market segment that is suffering its worst economic downturn in 20 years.

Yet economic experts — whose job it is to look further ahead than the current difficult times that have cost so many of our friends and family members their jobs — say aerospace in our region isn’t grounded yet. Not only will Boeing and its partner local companies continue to fuel Snohomish County’s base economy, but the rugged spirit, entrepreneurial vision and creativity that sent the first 747, and later the first 777, over our skies can power our future.

The basic demands for air travel and air cargo transport can only increase. As the world’s population continues to join the United States in the air, the market for planes and the industries that support passenger aviation will begin to grow again. Similarly, the need to move goods and cargo efficiently and rapidly around the world has not changed. And as national economies around the world mature, the goods they manufacture will need to reach global markets in a timely manner.

The future, however, may be even brighter than that. The traditional uses of aviation — to move people and cargo from one point to another, no matter how distant — may be only the beginning. In tough times, entrepreneurial companies large and small reach for new markets and look aggressively for new and profitable ways to use their resources and expertise. Some do that within their present industry. Others look for similar or complementary opportunities.

Today’s economy encourages both approaches.

“New product development helps a company expand beyond its traditional, narrow industry focus and creates a new, unique business,” says Steven Barnett of Banner Consulting International, which has more than 20 years of experience helping companies reach beyond their core competencies by developing new products and expanding into new markets.

A company, for example, that manufactures a part for an airplane cabin may find a slightly redesigned version of the same part suitable for buses or trains.

On Feb. 4, the Snohomish County Economic Development Council is sponsoring a seminar designed to allow companies to do just that. The seminar, presented by Barnett and Banner Consulting, is designed for small and medium-size companies and will stimulate the type of innovative thinking that could well lead to new or additional markets.

Although the seminar will specifically address the aerospace industry, the strategies attendees will discuss can be applied to most manufacturing-based businesses. The workshop will show businesses how to use current core competencies to develop products that can be offered in new markets.

At the same time, to be successful and to do all we can to ensure a prosperous future for ourselves and our children, we must continue to nurture our core economic base. To that end, the EDC is partnering with other organizations whose mission it is to make sure we have enough good jobs to go around to see what we can do to strengthen and encourage our traditional aerospace industries.

In one project, the EDC and the Snohomish County Workforce Development Council are working with experts to take a fresh look at aerospace and the many related industries it supports or influences. We are studying its current role in the state and local economy, the current needs and requirements of its work force and future growth prospects. Much of the current data on this important part of our economy is inadequate or out of date.

Our analysis is focusing on specific aerospace work-force issues. Who currently works in aerospace-related jobs? How many skilled workers are there, compared to the number that will be needed? How can we all, working together, be sure we have enough employees trained to perform the jobs that will be in demand, and how can we encourage our educational system to have ready the retraining that workers in surplus job categories will need?

By analyzing the current situation now, and by acting on what we find out, our communities and our aerospace-dependent families will be better able to plan for what lies ahead.

What we’re talking about is a combination of entrepreneurial spirit, knowledge and clear-sighted planning. That’s not a bad flight plan for the 21st century.

Deborah Knutson is president of the Snohomish County EDC. She can be reached at 425-743-4567 or by e-mail to dknutson@snoedc.org. To learn more about the aerospace seminar, contact the EDC at the same number.

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