During the virtual job fair, Tool Gauge representatives will be available to talk about open positions featured on our career page and other opportunities. We have 6 featured careers open on our site including (but not limited to) Warehouse Associate, Quality Assurance Inspector,  Molders, Buyer, Driver, and General Production. Get a head start and apply online to one of our open positions, we’re considering all applications.

Don’t miss out on this event, register today by clicking this link. We look forward to speaking with you!

The post Join Tool Gauge at the Next Hire Pierce County Virtual Job Fair! appeared first on Tool Gauge.

In case you’ve missed our previous expansion updates, we’ve hit some major milestones over the past few months including:

• • Taking occupancy in Phase 1
• • Receiving and installing 5 new Engel plastic injection machines
• • Evaluating new technology for plastics division
• • Demolishing the plastic legacy building
• • Beginning of Phase 2 construction

Despite the near 80 straight days of rain, Washington Patriot Construction was full steam ahead as the first few construction activities commenced. Much like Phase 1, construction started with site grading, footing and stem wall excavation and installation, underground plumbing and electrical placement.

Roughly 11 cement trucks visited the Tool Gauge construction site in early January to pour about 250 cubic yards of cement for the foundation of what will soon be offices, employee lunch and training rooms, QA and paint labs, and our lobby.

Soon after, the bones of the building were built as Washington Patriot installed steel beams, joists, and columns to complete the building structure by late January.

Exterior metal framing work started at the beginning of February along with the delivery and installation of two sets of steel staircases, sewer connection tie-in, and the build-out of the second-floor pan deck and mezzanine.

February 18^th marked the first day of roof construction and took Washington Patriot close to a week to complete – just in time for a second concrete for the mezzanine floor.

The last two weeks in February including mechanical, electrical, plumbing rough-ins and the installation of fire sprinklers throughout the Phase 2 building, along with the completion of the exterior metal framing.

The beginning of March will mark a busy month for Washington Patriot and the expansion project team as they complete framing for storefront windows and the interior, installing insulated metal panels and mechanical ductwork, and delivering our new A/C units.

March milestones that we’re looking forward to reaching is the completion of the building dry-in and permanent power.

Phase 2 is projected to be complete in the third week of May with a definite date slated for an open house on June 12^th.

Once completed, Phase 2 will house an industry-leading paint line, a new QA lab, employee lunch and training rooms, employee lockers, offices and a customer lobby. Other expansion details of the entire Tool Gauge expansion project include:

• • 80,000 sq ft in our plastics division
• • Expansion of our plastics press size range
• • Broadened secondary operations to improve flow and ergonomic assembly
• • Installation of industry-leading vertical paint system
• • New research and development center
• • Implementation of multiple collaborative robots (cobots)
• • 2,000 sq ft allocated for CNC machines and equipment within our metals division
  

Keep track of all the construction activities on our social media channels (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram) and through our live Workzone Camera [currently under construction].

The post Facility Expansion Update – Spring 2020 appeared first on Tool Gauge.

Tool Gauge is pleased to announce our participation in the 2020 Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in Hamburg, Germany from March 31 – April 2, 2020. We will be exhibiting alongside 10 other aerospace companies under the Washington State Department of Commerce Choose Washington initiative inside the Hanse Pavilion, booth 6E80 / J.

AIX is an annual event that unites the world’s airlines with aviation interior suppliers over three days of B2Bs, buying, and panel discussions. It’s a unique opportunity for businesses, like Tool Gauge, to showcase products to over 16,000 industry attendees from 100+ countries, 1,000 airline buyers and over 500 exhibitors. The event provides additional opportunities for business networking and to listen and discuss newsworthy industry issues. Senior buyers, CEOs, fleet managers and other decision makers will be onsite to inform visitors and other exhibitors about the latest aerospace products and services, from cockpit doors, galleys and lavatories, overhead storage, seating, and inflight connectivity.

If you’re attending the expo, please stop by and visit the Tool Gauge booth to discuss your plastic and metal assembly needs – we’d love to meet with you. To schedule an appointment to meet with Tool Gauge representatives in advance, please email Jim Lee, General Manager, or call +1.253.473.2740.

We look forward to speaking with you!

The post AIX 2020 – See You Soon In Hamburg! appeared first on Tool Gauge.

September proved to be one of the busier months with the remaining plastics departments moving from the old PMP building to the facility. Mold maintenance, CNC, and quality moved in the middle of the month, followed by the tool room and plastic injection molders.

With the help of Checkmate Industries, the plastic injection molders were moved swiftly to the new facility in just three days. Molders were then reconnected and calibrated to keep up with production schedules and to prepare for Boeing’s BAC5231 recertification.

Due to delays with a demolition permit, demo day was pushed back from early to mid-November but that didn’t slow Dickson Company from tearing down our old plastics building in less than a week. The final wall came down, marking the end of an era and the start of phase 2 construction with Washington Patriot Construction.

Construction began early December with site grading in preparation for footing and stem wall excavation, and footing forms installation.

Upcoming construction activities include concrete footing placement with 100+ yards of concrete being poured starting Dec. 13^th, stem wall form and rebar installation, underground plumbing and electrical installation, and slab on grade in early January.

Substantial completion of the Tool Gauge expansion project is scheduled for May 11, 2020 with an open house scheduled in June.

When completed, Phase 2 of the expansion project will include an industry leading paint line, QA lab, training and lunchroom area, employee lockers and restrooms, offices and facility lobby. Other important expansion details include:

• •An additional 80,000 sq. ft. in our plastics division
• •Expansion of our plastics press size range
• •Broadened secondary operations, improving flow and ergonomic assembly
• •Installation of a state-of-the-art vertical paint system
• •New research and development center
• •Implementation of multiple collaborative robots (cobots)
• •An additional 2,000 sq. ft. for CNC machines and equipment within our metals division

If you’ve been keeping up with our social media outlets and blog posts, you may have noticed we’ve already started taking action on expanding our plastic presses and evaluating new technology for the factory floor.

We’ve received one of our five new plastic injection molders, a bright green Engel 1250 equipped with a Viper 50 robot. Once up and running, this machine will be molding interior parts for Boeing’s 777x and 737 aircrafts. In the next coming week, we will be receiving four additional Engel 85-340 ton molders for the plastics factory floor.

Management and engineering teams have also evaluated new types cobots for the plastics division, including an autonomous mobile robot (amr) from Mobile Industrial Robots (Mir). Olympus Controls visited Tool Gauge in late November to demonstrate their MiR500, which is a prime candidate to autonomously transport material and finished goods from various departments in the new facility. Both teams will continue to evaluate MiR as they review proof of concepts and ROI before purchasing a model. Click here for more information on our automation strategy with MiR robots.

We invite you to follow along with the last leg of our expansion journey by watching our 24 hour Workzone Cam and on our social media handles.

The post Facility Expansion Update – Winter 2019 appeared first on Tool Gauge.

• • Roof flashings and gutters
• • Injection molder rack rough-in
• • Exterior Paint
• • Dock leveler install
• • Storefront installation
• • Bridge crane installation
• • Equipment relocation and startup
• • Asphalt prep and pave for employee and customer parking
• • Irrigation installation systems
• • Site furnishings installation

 


Projected finish date of Phase 1 construction for early September with Phase 2 right around the corner. Phase 2 of the expansion project includes demolition of our current plastics facility to build out our paint room, QA lab, training and lunchroom, employee lockers and restrooms, offices and facility entrance/lobby.

Construction is estimated to be completed late 2019 and will feature a customer lobby with the history of Tool Gauge in a storyboard format, two conference rooms, six offices, 14 work spaces, employee locker area, lunchroom and training area. Other important expansion details include:
 

• • An additional 80,000 sq. ft. in our plastics division
• • Expansion of our plastics press size range
• • Broadening of our secondary operations to improve flow and ergonomic assembly
• • Installation of a new, state-of-the-art vertical paint system
• • An additional 2,000 sq. ft. for CNC equipment within our metals division
• • Implementation of multiple collaborative robots (cobots)

Once the expansion project is completed, we expect to create over 100 new jobs spanning over the next five years within the Tacoma-Pierce County region. The grant from Governor Inslee’s Strategic Reserve Fund will assist in the training of new employees and advance the skills of 50 incumbent employees. Employee opportunities are on our career page and will include full-time, apprenticeship and internship positions in machining, molding, assembly and engineering areas.

To follow the Tool Gauge expansion project progress, visit out live WorkZone Cam or on our social media channels.

The post Facility Expansion Update – Summer 2019 appeared first on Tool Gauge.

AIX is an annual event showcasing cabin interiors, in-flight entertainment, connectivity, passenger experience, and passenger services and will draw more than 16,000 industry attendees from 103 countries, 1,000 airline buyers representing 268 carriers, and featuring more than 550 exhibitors. Senior buyers, CEOs, fleet managers and other decision makers will be onsite to inform attendees about the latest aerospace products and services, from cockpit doors, galleys and lighting to fasteners, overhead storage, and seating.

If you’re attending the expo, please stop by and visit the Tool Gauge booth to discuss your plastic and metal assembly needs. To schedule an appointment in advance, please email Jim Lee, General Manager, or call +1.253.473.2740.

We look forward to speaking with you!

The post See You Soon at AIX 2019 in Hamburg, Germany! appeared first on Tool Gauge.

Originally from Utah, Steven and his family moved to Sammamish, Wash., at a very young age. He attended Western Washington University, majoring in Manufacturing Engineering.

“I pretty much got hired as soon as I graduated at Tool Gauge,” said Steven. “This is my first career job. I’ve done internships at other plastics companies through summers in college, but this is my first real job.”

Starting his career in June of 2018, some of Steven’s daily tasks and projects as an ME includes supporting production and making sure it all runs smoothly.

“If there is a problem that arises that inhibits assembly or manufacturing of some item, we tackle that problem and see how to fix it,” says Steven. “Usually, it’s about designing fixtures. If we need to drill holes in something, we’ll have to design a fixture that goes into a drill press to get accurate hole placement every time.”

Some of Steven’s projects include decorative ceiling panels for the new Boeing 777x and decorative plastic pieces that are placed around the storage bins of airplanes. But his favorite project to date that he’s worked on are edge supports manufactured for Zodiac Aerospace.

“There is one long edge support part that can be cut down in to four other part numbers,” stated Steven. “That was fun for me because it was the first project that I tackled from start to finish, where I felt confident in how to approach the situation and was able to build my own fixture for production use that can accurately cut down those parts to length. We still use it and it was a really cool experience.”

Tool Gauge is in the midst of expanding their plastics division to an 80,000 sq. ft. facility. When asked about the expansion and what he hopes to work on in the new facility, he answered pretty quickly with robotics.

“We’re expected to get some assembly robots in,” says Steven. “I haven’t got to touch that [sprue pickers] yet but I’d really like to be involved with the new robots.”

As a new engineer himself, his main goals are keep improving and learning every day. For aspiring engineers, his main advice is to do things the correct way.

“Always do things the correct way, don’t take short cuts. You could risk creating bigger problems for yourself.”

The post Interview with Steven Ouzts, Manufacturing Engineer appeared first on Tool Gauge.

• • An additional 80,000 sq. ft. in our plastics division
• • Expansion of our plastics press size range
• • Broadening of our secondary operations to improve flow and ergonomic assembly
• • Installation of a new, state-of-the-art vertical paint system
• • An additional 2,000 sq. ft. for CNC equipment within our metals division
• • Implementation of multiple collaborative robots (cobots)

Once our new facility is complete, we expect to create between 100 and 150 new jobs over the next five years for the Tacoma-Pierce County region. We will grow from 135 employees currently to approximately 235 by 2024, adding full-time, apprenticeship, and internship positions in machining, molding, assembly, and engineering.

Just like many businesses going through such an extensive company expansion, we have learned a few lessons along the way, including:

• • We visited other local peer aerospace companies to verify best practices.
• • We found out that plans take longer than projected.
• • We learned to not delay – we need to hire now for the future.
• • We need to continuously think automation and LEAN practices.
• • We created new benefits package to attract new talent.
• • We implemented key performance indicators (KPIs) measuring safety, quality, delivery, cost, and training – measure, report, share in Plastics and Metals Operations, Tool Maintenance, and Secondary Operations.
• • We immediately integrated change into our evolving culture.

Estimated expansion timeline

• • June 2019: Phase 1 of construction complete
• • Late 2019: Phase 2 of construction complete
• • Fall 2019: Inauguration of new manufacturing facility

Follow live expansion updates

We invite you to follow our construction progress on our live workzone cam at https://bit.ly/2NpvscM.

To discuss your plastic and metal assembly manufacturing needs, please email our General Manager Jim Lee.

The post Facility expansion update – Fall 2018 appeared first on Tool Gauge.

I am originally from Gig Harbor, Wash. I am in my third year at Pacific Lutheran University in Seattle in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in economics with a minor in business. I will graduate in June 2020.

What attracted you about interning at Tool Gauge this summer?

I have always been interested in the aerospace industry, especially the defense sector. I believe Tool Gauge will provide me with the working experience that I need to help shape a career path in this field. The fact that the company is also working on a major expansion of its Tacoma manufacturing facility is also an exciting event to witness first-hand. After being employed full-time for three months this summer, I will work part-time starting in September after school starts which I know is going to be a challenge from a time management standpoint, but this is an amazing opportunity!

Which Tool Gauge department are you assigned to and what kind of projects do you typically work on?

I am currently working in the company’s Estimating Department. I am involved in the quoting process for customers such as Boeing. This area is interesting to me because I get to see the kind of capabilities Tool Gauge has. I will later be introduced into marketing which is another area I am interested in.

What kind of job will you be seeking after you graduate from university?

I really enjoy crunching numbers and hope to land a budget analysis job in the Department of Defense. I’d love to do this as a career and I think that my current internship at Tool Gauge will prepare me well for this type of position.

Would you recommend an internship at Tool Gauge to others and why?

Absolutely! The working environment here at the manufacturing facility is very friendly, yet very professional. This internship is also a great way for me to gain insight into how an office is run as well as receive hands-on experience in a very exciting, innovative field. I know these skills will serve me well in the future.

The post Interview with Korey Wasser, Intern at Tool Gauge appeared first on Tool Gauge.

I decided to become an apprentice at age 16 at the beginning of my sophomore year at Stadium High School in Tacoma. It was after my old engineer design teacher Mr. Reher introduced me to The Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee’s (AJAC) and their training programs to see if this would be something that I would be interested in. These programs sounded like a really cool training alternative, especially the way they are structured – apprentices receive on-the-job training during the day at a local company’s job site and take classes one night a week at a community or technical college. So I decided to go for it!

Which specific AJAC apprenticeship program attracted you the most at the time?

I chose the aerospace-oriented production technician program which is specifically designed for high school students ages 16 and 17 who are looking to advance their skill set, knowledge, and understanding of advanced manufacturing. The job duties of a Production Technician is to set up, test, and adjust advanced manufacturing machinery or equipment, using a combination of electrical, electronic, mechanic, hydraulic, pneumatic, or computer technologies. Production Technicians work hands on with computer-aided design (CAD), as well as analytical and scientific software. I liked how the program gives high schoolers like me the opportunity to learn and enhance their knowledge in a variety of machining and manufacturing techniques. I also was attracted to the idea that I was going to learn basic manual and CNC machining, including shop knowledge and blue print reading.

How long is the apprenticeship?

This is a two-year program and I am currently in my second year. I will graduate in June 2019 with a Technician Operator certificate, as well as graduate from high school at the same time. By the time I complete my apprenticeship, I will have spent a year and three months at Tool Gauge altogether and received 2,000 hours of training in precision metal manufacturing which is pretty amazing.

What attracted you to Tool Gauge specifically?

In addition to the opportunity to learn with a local leading-edge aerospace manufacturing company, for me it is about the people who work there. I remember meeting Tool Gauge’s Metals Operations Manager Clint Folyer for the first time and how he had a really nice attitude with genuine care for his team. I remember him saying that the company was not too big, but big enough to do both production and unique jobs. Now that I work in Tool Gauge’s metals division, it’s exciting to be able to say that I manufacture parts that go into airplanes.

What are your plans after completing your apprenticeship?

I hope to work as a Technician Operator first. After that, all the skills and work experience I will have acquired will help me reach my ultimate career goal which is to become an aerospace engineer.

What is it like to be an apprentice and would you recommend this program to others?

Being an apprentice is a lot of fun and I really enjoy what I do. It is not easy sometimes because you have to juggle work and school, but I know it is worth it in the end because this work experience will help me understand the industrial and mechanical aspects that I need for a future career in aerospace engineering. I would recommend this program to young people who are eager to learn and don’t mind getting their hands dirty. Youth apprenticeship programs are also a great alternative to a four-year university degree and can lead to fulfilling and rewarding careers.

The post Meet Tool Gauge Apprentice Raquel Taijito appeared first on Tool Gauge.