Manufacturing Month in Kitsap: Helping to build a workforce for the future

Kitsap, Washington is home to a host of manufacturing companies producing goods using the latest technologies and the plentiful raw materials in Washington. Kicking off on Manufacturing Day — Friday, October 1 —  and continuing throughout the month, we celebrate companies in the community for their employment opportunities and innovations that grow our economy.

Manufacturing Day Stretches Through the Whole Month of October

Launched annually on the first Friday in October with events that continue throughout the month, Manufacturing Day helps show the reality of modern manufacturing careers by encouraging thousands of companies and educational institutions around the nation to open their doors to students, parents, teachers, and community leaders. With the theme of “Creators Wanted,” the focus is on building the workforce of the future by educating America’s youth about the incredible career pathways that modern manufacturing offers. Manufacturing creates careers that are full of opportunities for advancement and stability.

Manufacturing in Kitsap

Washington has an extraordinary manufacturing economy. The state’s resources make it a natural leader in petroleum and chemical manufacturing; its research institutions have fostered computer-related and other high-tech manufacturing; and a business-friendly environment and skilled labor have helped create a burgeoning automotive manufacturing sector. The Kitsap Economic Development Alliance is using this opportunity to call attention to the many manufacturing companies we have in our community. These manufacturers are leaders in technology and good workplace practices, produce high-quality products, and consistently innovate to keep in step with and progress in their industries. We are proud that these companies have made their home in Kitsap.

Growth in the Manufacturing Sector in the state of Washington

Manufacturers in Washington account for 10.64% of the total output in the state, employing 8.04% of the workforce. Total output from manufacturing was $65.20 billion in 2019. In addition, there were an average of 265,000 manufacturing employees in Washington in 2020, with an average annual compensation of $95,777.98 in 2019. Manufacturing’s importance in Kitsap and throughout Washington is due to the sector’s stability and growth. Manufacturers help to drive Washington’s economy, with $26.16 billion in manufactured goods exports in 2020. That same year, $8.80 billion in exports was with our free trade agreement (FTA) partners. This helps create jobs in the state, and 38.80% of its employment stemmed from exports in 2011. Small businesses comprised 90.00% percent of all exporters in Washington.

Reasons Manufacturing Companies Should Locate in Kitsap, Washington

Kitsap’s manufacturing companies are located throughout the county in multiple business and industrial parks – all with excellent access to the I-5 corridor and the Seattle region’s complex and robust industrial supply chain.

Kitsap is a recognized leader in several key regional economic sectors including  manufacturing. Kitsap is also home to the densest concentration of engineering talent in the Greater Seattle region.

Kitsap is an innovator in manufacturing – design, materials, sustainability, and production and has a hundred-plus year legacy of making world-class equipment, parts, and products including:

• Swift water patrol boats, military vessels, and pleasure craft
• Rebuilding and repairing the Navy’s modern carrier and submarine fleet
• Innovative & sustainably manufactured office furniture
• Premier fly fishing rods & reels
• Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs)
• Sophisticated composite radomes
• Value-added food and beverage products

All of these speak to Kitsap’s ingenuity, innovation, and craftsmanship.

Kitsap’s manufacturing companies are cutting-edge advanced manufacturers utilizing industry-standard materials and metals. Kitsap is home to scores of manufacturing enterprises deploying the latest technology in computer-aided design and CNC machining and production.

As part of the state of Washington, Kitsap County offers an extremely favorable manufacturing environment for businesses and investors. Contact us here for more information.