The Association of Washington Business begins its 10th annual Manufacturing Week bus tour Monday, Sept. 28. The 10-day tour will visit manufacturers across the state, including stops in Anacortes, Everett, Centralia, Moses Lake, Mount Vernon, Tacoma, Tri-Cities, Spokane, Vancouver and Yakima.
On Oct. 1, AWB President Kris Johnson will deliver his annual State of Manufacturing Address at Clover Park Technical College, discussing the opportunities and challenges facing Washington manufacturers with a focus on aerospace and advanced manufacturing.
AWB’s annual bus tour highlights the role manufacturing plays in Washington’s economy and career opportunities available in modern, high-tech manufacturing:
- Washington manufacturers employ more than 268,000 people, about 7.5% of the state’s workforce.
- The average annual compensation for a manufacturing employee in Washington is roughly $103,000.
- Washington manufacturers generated $65.3 billion in economic output in 2025.
- In 2025, Washington exported $51 billion in manufactured products around the world.
The tour will showcase the diversity of Washington’s manufacturing sector, including agriculture, seafood, maritime, aerospace, metal fabrication, wood products and more. AWB will also visit several high school and college training centers that are building a pipeline of skilled workers. Students will have opportunities to join manufacturing facility tours along the route.
“The Manufacturing Week bus tour has celebrated Washington manufacturers for a decade, highlighting the world-class products made here and the 268,000 Washingtonians who make them,” said AWB President Kris Johnson. “As we mark the 10th anniversary, we’re calling on state leaders to support policies that help manufacturers grow and create opportunities in every corner of Washington.”
Friday, Oct. 2: Olympia, Centralia, Vancouver
- Custom Source Woodworking
- Rogers Machinery Company
- Clark College — Advancing Manufacturing Center at Boschma Farms Ridgefield Campus
- HP East Vancouver
