“The aerospace industry continues to increasingly adopt thermoplastic materials as they lower aircraft weight, reduce time and waste from machined metals, and provide sustainable goods for our future,” explains Jim Lee, general manager of Tool Gauge. “As part of this collaborative project with Victrex, we aim at replacing machined aluminum components used in commercial aircrafts that are currently expensive and take months to produce with new thermoplastic composite versions.” 

 The fabrication of the proposed thermoplastic utilizes hybrid overmolding where thin sheets of carbon fibers are combined with Victrex’s LMPAEK™ polymer, creating a unidirectional tape. This material is then stacked and consolidated into one panel with the application of heat and pressure, with small pieces cut from the panel. Finally, the short-fiber reinforced PEEK compound is injection molded onto the insert. A fusion bond similar to a weld forms between the PEEK compound and LMPAEK™ composite insert as the molten PEEK melts the surface of the insert. As the part cools, the PEEK compound and LMPAEK™ composite solidify as one piece. 

The hybrid overmolding process creates a part that is mechanically stronger and stiffer than a part only made with PEEK compound due to the continuous fiber reinforcement used in the composite insert. The hybrid overmolding combines injection molding with thermoforming to create a finished part that is lighter, cheaper, produces less waste, can be produced faster, and has superior fatigue performance.  

“As a solution provider, Victrex firmly believes that the path to innovation lies in understanding customer needs and pioneering solutions where PEEK and PAEK deliver a strong advantage,” adds Jonathan Sourkes, head of market and business development for Victrex. “Through this, we continue to redefine what is possible, delivering transformative solutions that address pressing, unmet industry needs. Our commitment to innovation and strategic collaborations enables us to be at the forefront of technological advancements, driving progress and creating a more sustainable future for industries worldwide.” 

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 About Tool Gauge 

Founded in 1966 and headquartered in Tacoma, Washington, USA, Tool Gauge manufactures complex, high-value plastic and metal parts and assemblies. Global aerospace OEMs and tier-one aircraft interior integrators trust Tool Gauge for its high product quality, on-time delivery, and continuous adoption of new technology. The company has been the proud recipient of Boeing’s Silver / Silver Performance Award for manufacturing excellence for the past 10 consecutive years (2012-2022). For more information, please visit our web site or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter (https://twitter.com/toolgauge).  

About Victrex  

Victrex is an innovative world leader in high-performance PEEK (Poly Ether Ether Ketone) and PAEK (Poly Aryl Ether Ketone) polymer solutions focusing on the strategic markets of automotive, aerospace, energy, industrial, electronics, and medical. Every day, millions of people use products and applications containing our materials – from smartphones, aircrafts, and cars to energy operations and medical devices. With over 40 years of experience, we are developing world-leading solutions with PEEK- and PAEK-based polymers and selected semi-finished and finished parts which enable environmental and societal benefit for our customers and our markets as well as drive value for our shareholders. Please visit our web site for more information.

©2023 Victrex plc. VICTREX™ and LMPAEK™ are trademarks of Victrex plc or its group companies. All rights reserved. 

Note to editors 

For visuals, please contact Muriel Guilbert at murielguilbert@hotmail.com.  

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This award is presented to a manufacturing executive demonstrating progress in productivity, growth, and innovation within their company and community. Award recipients are selected by a panel of judges from leading companies within the Puget Sound area.

“The honorees are companies with outstanding products and innovative processes,” said Leslie Helm, editor of Seattle Business magazine. “They boost their competitiveness through improved manufacturing and effective marketing — and they remind us of the strength and promise of Washington’s manufacturing sector.”

“Debbie was chosen executive of the year for her steadiness and stability while leading Tool Gauge through a time of exceptional growth, including a major expansion of the company’s manufacturing facilities and its plans to hire 100 employees in the next five years,” said Rob Smith, Seattle Business Magazine Editor-in-Chief. “Her launch of a training program to help workers understand how to advance their careers is just one of many forward-thinking initiatives she’s launched since becoming CEO three years ago.”

“I am honored and humbled to be recognized among the manufacturing community with receiving the executive of the year award,” said Debbie Lee, Tool Gauge CEO. “This award is not only about me, but it’s about my TEAM! I would not be receiving this award without their support and dedication that they have brought to me and the Tool Gauge name.”

Debbie is heading the Tool Gauge aerospace manufacturing facility expansion currently underway in their South Tacoma location. The project will add 80,000 sq ft to their plastics division and will create approximately 100 jobs in Pierce County over the next five years. Please visit Tool Gauge’s blog or live workzone cam to follow the progress of the new aerospace manufacturing facility.

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About Tool Gauge

Founded in 1966 and headquartered in Tacoma, Wash., Tool Gauge manufactures complex, high-value plastic and metal parts and assemblies. Global aerospace OEMs and tier-one aircraft interior integrators trust Tool Gauge for its high product quality, on-time delivery, and relentless pursuit of technology. The company has been the proud recipient of Boeing’s Silver / Silver Performance Award for manufacturing excellence for the past nine consecutive years (2010-2018) as well as the PNAA’s 2017 Aerospace Company of the Year award. For more information, please visit us online at www.toolgauge.net/ or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

About Seattle Business Magazine

Seattle Business is an award-winning monthly magazine read by thousands of business executives across the state. It delivers insight into the key people, enterprises and trends that drive business in the Pacific Northwest, providing perspective on the region’s ever-changing economic environment.

The post Tool Gauge CEO Receives Manufacturing Executive of the Year Award appeared first on Tool Gauge.

• • An additional 80,000 sq. ft. in the plastics division
• • Expansion of plastics press size range
• • Broadening of 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 the metals division
• • Implementation of multiple collaborative robots (cobots)

“The Tool Gauge team is very grateful to Governor Inslee, the state of Washington, the Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County, and Impact Washington for this amazing opportunity,” states Debbie Lee, CEO of Tool Gauge. “As we build our new world-class aerospace manufacturing facility, hiring and training new employees will remain our absolute priority which has been a central component of our success for over 50 years. As we continue our fast growth trajectory, we expect to create up to 100 new jobs by 2024, growing our workforce to approximately 235 employees in Pierce County.”

“Washington’s greatest competitive advantage for business recruitment and retention is the exceptional quality and depth of our workforce,” adds Chris Green, Commerce assistant director for economic development and competitiveness. “Continued investment in our people strengthens communities by providing employers a job-ready talent pool with the skills needed to operate technologically advanced equipment and thrive in a high-performance environment.”

“We believe that a good quality of life starts with a good job,” states Bruce Kendall, president and CEO of the Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County. “Tool Gauge’s investments mean more great jobs for Pierce County’s world-class aerospace workers.”

“Impact Washington is delighted to provide workforce training to support the growth and continued success of this world-class aerospace supplier in collaboration with our economic development partners,” concludes Tab Wilkins, Impact Washington president and center director.

Washington’s aerospace cluster employs over 136,000 people in about 1,400 companies and generates nearly $70 billion in economic activity throughout the state. There is at least one aerospace-related company in 35 of the state’s 39 counties. Learn more about Washington’s aerospace and space industry.

Please click here to follow the progress of Tool Gauge’s new aerospace manufacturing facility construction on our live workzone cam.

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About Tool Gauge

Founded in 1966 and headquartered in Tacoma, Wash., Tool Gauge manufactures complex, high-value plastic and metal parts and assemblies. Global aerospace OEMs and tier-one aircraft interior integrators trust Tool Gauge for its high product quality, on-time delivery, and relentless pursuit of technology. The company has been the proud recipient of Boeing’s Silver / Silver Performance Award for manufacturing excellence for the past nine consecutive years (2010-2018) as well as the PNAA’s 2017 Aerospace Company of the Year award. For more information, please visit us online at www.toolgauge.net/ or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

About Commerce

Commerce is the lead state agency charged with enhancing and promoting sustainable community and economic vitality in Washington. For more information, please visit www.commerce.wa.gov. For information on locating or expanding a business in Washington, please visit www.choosewashington.com. Subscribe to Commerce press releases by email. You may unsubscribe at any time.

About the Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County

Founded in 1978 as a private non-profit, the EDB focuses its work on recruiting new firms to Pierce County, retaining those that are here, and helping all of them expand. The EDB supports companies to create new jobs and to grow the economy of the South Sound and Washington state, USA. In the past two decades, the EDB has worked with companies that have made over $1.6 billion in capital investments and created over 25,000 jobs. For more information, please visit www.edbtacomapierce.org or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

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“Each year, PNAA recognizes companies and individuals that rise above their peers to take the aerospace industry to new heights,” explains Melanie Jordan, CEO of PNAA. “For the past 50 years, Tool Gauge has not only made significant contributions to the Washington state aerospace cluster in terms of local employment, community involvement, and economic development. It also delivers award-winning assembly precision manufacturing excellence to global aerospace OEMs and tier-one aircraft interior integrators. I could not think of more suitable award recipient for this year’s aerospace company of the year award.”

“We are truly honored and humbled to be recognized by our industry peers with this prestigious award,” adds Debbie Lee, CEO of Tool Gauge. “As one of only a handful of Boeing-certified class 1 and class 2 plastics shops in the world capable of machining full five-axis parts, we would not be where we are now without our hard-working employees coupled with the continued support of our loyal customers. With the expansion of our manufacturing facility to open sometime in 2019, we look forward to continuing to fulfill our mission to innovate in technology, shorten lead times, enhance product quality, control manufacturing costs, and deliver world-class value to the aerospace supply chain all over the world.”

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About Tool Gauge

Founded in 1966 and headquartered in Tacoma, Wash., Tool Gauge manufactures complex, high-value plastic and metal parts and assemblies. Global aerospace OEMs and tier-one aircraft interior integrators trust Tool Gauge for its high product quality, on-time delivery, and relentless pursuit of technology. The company has been the proud recipient of Boeing’s Silver / Silver Performance Award for manufacturing excellence for the past eight consecutive years (2010-2017). For more information, please visit us online at www.toolgauge.net/ or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

About PNAA

Based in Redmond, Wash., PNAA is a coalition that promotes the growth of the Pacific Northwest aerospace industry by helping member companies be globally competitive through education, access to business opportunities, information on emerging markets, and facilitation of key relationships. With members and affiliates around the world, PNAA strengthens the manufacturing supply chain through dynamic events designed to inform aerospace leaders, connect aerospace interests, and inspire industry collaboration and innovation. For more information, please visit us online at http://www.pnaa.net/ or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.

The post Tool Gauge Receives PNAA Aerospace Company of the Year Award appeared first on Tool Gauge.

“Washington state is home to the largest commercial aerospace manufacturing cluster in North America and Tool Gauge is proud to be a part of it,” explains Jim Lee, sales and marketing manager at Tool Gauge. “I would like to thank PNAA for their kind invitation and I look forward to helping strengthen our aerospace community alongside my fellow industry board members.”

“With his in-depth aerospace manufacturing experience, coupled with his passion for and knowledge of modern sales and marketing, Jim will broaden and strengthen our board,” adds Melanie Jordan, CEO of PNAA. “We recognize the aerospace marketplace is rapidly evolving with the digital age playing an increasingly important role in shaping company strategies and customer outreach. Jim brings insights and expertise to PNAA as we embrace the digital age and the benefits it offers our organization, our members, and our events.”

Appointed as sales and marketing manager in October 2015, Jim Lee is responsible for Tool Gauge’s global business development efforts. During his tenure, Jim has rebranded the company, launched an international sales program, developed a sales and estimating team, and launched effective global marketing campaigns. Jim has been working in the manufacturing sector for 25 years, primarily in plastics and metals manufacturing, serving such companies as FCA Packaging, Phillips Medisize, GM Nameplate, and Precision Plastics in various positions ranging from business development manager to vice president of sales. Jim received a Bachelor of Science degree in business operations and production operations management from DeVry University in Phoenix, AZ. He is also a United States Marine Corps (USMC) veteran.

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About Tool Gauge

Founded in 1966 and headquartered in Tacoma, Wash., Tool Gauge manufactures complex, high-value plastic and metal assemblies. Global aerospace OEMs trust us for our high product quality, on-time delivery, and continuous technology innovation. We have been the proud recipient of Boeing’s Silver / Silver Performance Excellence Award for seven consecutive years (2010-2016). For more information, please visit us online at www.toolgauge.net/ or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

About PNAA

Based in Redmond, Wash., PNAA is a coalition that promotes the growth of the Pacific Northwest aerospace industry by helping member companies be globally competitive through education, access to business opportunities, information on emerging markets, and facilitation of key relationships. With members and affiliates around the world, PNAA strengthens the manufacturing supply chain through dynamic events designed to inform aerospace leaders, connect aerospace interests, and inspire industry collaboration and innovation. For more information, please visit us online at http://www.pnaa.net/ or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.

The post Jim Lee Joins Board of Directors of Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance (PNAA) appeared first on Tool Gauge.

“I am honored to join the board of directors of such a prestigious organization representing our state’s aerospace industry,” explains Debbie Lee, CEO of Tool Gauge. “I look forward to working alongside the best representatives in our sector to advance policies and further the growth of our local businesses.”

“Tool Gauge is one of the many success stories from Washington state’s aerospace industry. Through Debbie’s leadership, the company has participated in AFA initiatives in Olympia on policy issues that benefit aerospace and related businesses,” adds Kelly Maloney, AFA president and CEO. “Combined with her leadership abilities, Debbie’s rise through the ranks gives her a unique and valuable perspective. It made sense to invite her to join our board.”

Debbie became CEO of Tool Gauge in October 2016. Based in Tacoma, Wash. with 125 employees, Tool Gauge was founded in 1966 with the belief that combining the best engineering talent and technical know-how with leading-edge manufacturing technology would bring lasting success to their customers. Over her 35-year career in the manufacturing industry, Debbie has held a wide variety of leadership roles, including serving as operations officer, procurement manager, materials manager, and customer service manager. She started her career in the late 1980s as an engineering purchasing liaison in Kent, Wash. In March 2001, she joined Tool Gauge as a Boeing focal working in metals shop floor management and worked her way up to the CEO position over the next 15 years. Debbie holds supply chain management certifications from APICS (American Production and Inventory Control Society), as well as certifications in lean manufacturing and project management. She currently serves as the commodore of the Gig Harbor Yacht Club as well as the chairman of the Club’s board of directors.

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About Tool Gauge

Founded in 1966 and headquartered in Tacoma, Wash., Tool Gauge manufactures complex, high-value plastic and metal assemblies. Global aerospace OEMs trust us for our high product quality, on-time delivery, and continuous technology innovation. We have been the proud recipient of Boeing’s Silver / Silver Performance Excellence Award for seven consecutive years (2010-2016). For more information, please follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

About AFA

The Aerospace Futures Alliance (AFA) was formed in 2006 to provide aerospace companies with a single voice on policy issues affecting the sector. Representing approximately 1,450 aerospace companies, AFA has been instrumental individually and in partnership with other organizations – working across the aisle – and leading to impactful results, including job creation, new education and training initiatives, and a robust aerospace climate. For more information, please visit us online or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

The post Tool Gauge CEO Debbie Lee joins board of directors
of Washington state’s Aerospace Futures Alliance (AFA) appeared first on Tool Gauge.

“Tool Gauge has been playing a key part in our supply chain and providing us with high-quality aircraft parts for the past five years,” explains Tom Brosius, vice president and general manager of Orion Industries based in Auburn, Wash. “This major investment in manufacturing expansion and technology is a significant development for customers like us in terms of enhanced product precision and faster delivery times.”

“U.S. and overseas buyers choose our products not only because of our exceptional quality and impeccable delivery record, but also because we are one of only a handful of global suppliers certified by The Boeing Company for class 1 and class 2 plastics,” adds Debbie Lee, CEO of Tool Gauge. “This brand-new future manufacturing facility embodies our relentless pursuit of technology innovation and will lead to the creation of 50 to 100 jobs over the next five years.”

“In addition to producing nearly 90 percent of all passenger planes built in North America last year, Washington state companies are on the leading edge of aerospace industry demand for new cabin design, materials, and technologies that are redefining comfort and function in the air, employing people in 35 of our 39 counties,” notes Brian Bonlender, director of the Washington State Department of Commerce. “I congratulate Tool Gauge on their future manufacturing facility. This expansion in Pierce County is a testimony to the dynamic fabric of our aerospace cluster which is strengthening communities all over the state by providing good jobs and new business opportunities. Tool Gauge is one of over 450 companies that have used State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) export assistance from Commerce over the years to help grow their business through international marketing at events such as AIX in Hamburg.”

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About Tool Gauge

Founded in 1966 and headquartered in Tacoma, Wash., Tool Gauge manufactures complex, high-value plastic and metal assemblies. Global aerospace OEMs trust us for our high product quality, on-time delivery, and continuous technology innovation. We have been the proud recipient of Boeing’s Silver / Silver Performance Excellence Award for seven consecutive years (2010-2016). For more information, please follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

The post Tool Gauge announces future expansion
of aerospace manufacturing facility in Tacoma, Wash. appeared first on Tool Gauge.