Tacoma, Wash., April 24, 2019 – Tool Gauge, a manufacturer of complex, high-value plastic and metal assemblies for global aerospace original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), announced today that Debbie Lee, CEO, received manufacturing executive of the year in the large company category during the 10^th annual ­­­Washington Manufacturing Awards hosted by Seattle Business Magazine.

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.