For the sixth consecutive year, Impact Washington proudly joined the Association of Washington Business (AWB) on its annual Manufacturing Week Bus Tour — a statewide journey highlighting the people, products, and innovation driving Washington’s manufacturing sector.
This year’s tour made more than a dozen stops across Washington, spotlighting manufacturers of every size and specialty – aerospace and composites to marine, metalwork and seafood. Each stop offered a look inside the ingenuity and resilience that define Washington’s manufacturing industry, where 271,000 residents work across more than 7,500 companies.
Our collaboration with AWB reflects a shared commitment to strengthening manufacturing across the state, ensuring companies have the resources, training and support they need to grow and thrive.
“Our long-standing partnership with AWB highlights the strength and ingenuity of Washington’s manufacturing community,” said Kelley Sowards, President & Center Director, Impact Washington. “We’re proud to work alongside AWB in recognizing the manufacturers who drive innovation, create jobs, and strengthen local economies across the state.”
Spotlight Stops: Stories from the Shop Floor
This year, we proudly sponsored three stops that reflect the diversity and craftsmanship found across Washington’s manufacturing landscape.
Rozema Boat Works (Bay View, Skagit County)
A third-generation family business, Rozema Boat Works has been building high-quality alumminium vessels since 1955. From fishing boats bound for Alaska to oil spill response craft for the East Coast, every vessel is designed and constructed with precision. Touring the shop floor, the team shared how the company continues to balance traditional craftsmanship with modern fabrication techniques — a hallmark of Washington’s maritime legacy.
Watch Rozema Sponsored video
Largo Tents (Marysville)
Founded in 2021, Largo Tents embodies the creativity and adaptability of small manufacturers. Operating from a modest 900-square-foot space, the team produces large-scale, custom tents and enclosures while prioritizing quality and sustainability through in-house fabrication and repair. Their story underscores the entrepreneurial spirit and resourcefulness found throughout Washington’s manufacturing communities.
Watch Largo Tents Sponsored Video
Port Townsend Foundry (Jefferson County)
A century-old craft reborn, the Port Townsend Foundry is keeping Washington’s maritime heritage alive. Co-owner Pete Langley and his team pour, tool, and finish every casting in-house — from marine hardware to custom memorial benches — using 100% recycled materials. Their dedication to hands-on craftsmanship and community ties represents the kind of generational pride that continues to sustain the industry.
Watch Port Townsend Sponsored video
Celebrating Washington’s Manufacturing Spirit
Alongside these featured stops, the AWB tour visited dozens of other manufacturers across the state, from advanced materials and food production to aerospace and education facilities, each contributing to Washington’s strength as a state of makers and innovators.
For Impact Washington, being part of this journey each year is about more than the miles travelled. It’s an opportunity to meet the people behind the products, learn about their challenges, and celebrate their successes. These conversations remind us why manufacturing remains vital to our state’s economy and why collaboration among industry, government, and communities is essential to keeping it strong.
We’re proud to continue our partnership with AWB and to stand alongside the manufacturers who make Washington a state of builders, innovators, and problem-solvers.