Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX), Hamburg, Germany, Hall 6B, Stand 6A70f, April 4, 2017 – Tool Gauge, a manufacturer of complex, high-value plastic and metal assemblies for global aerospace original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), announced today the future expansion of its manufacturing facility located in Tacoma, Wash., USA. The new site, which will be developed on current and newly purchased property, will nearly double from 49,000 square feet currently to approximately 94,000 square feet. The facility will be fully operational by late 2019. This represents a total estimated investment of five to seven million U.S. dollars. The new facility will house additional injection molding equipment, expanded secondary operations, in-house paint and media blasting, expanded plastics machining capabilities, expanded administrative offices, and improved environmental features.

“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.