July 2022 Newsletter

It’s Our Silver Anniversary! Thank You for Our Success.

It’s hard to believe it’s been 25 years since we opened the doors.

We’ve enjoyed many great successes and we've withstood our share of challenging times, too, but we emerged stronger for it. It’s been an exciting ride, and we’re focused on a bright future. Of course, we owe our success to you, our clients, partners, and friends. Thank you for being so confident in us, for your support, and your partnership.

As we celebrate our silver anniversary, it makes us a bit nostalgic.

Corporate anniversary celebrations are the perfect time to reflect on where we started and realize how far we’ve come. From the beginning, Impact Washington has focused on supporting a thriving manufacturing community in every corner of the state. We have a unique way of keeping and measuring our success. Our clients have come to know us as the most reliable source for manufacturers throughout the state, and our impacts speak for themselves. Since 1997 we have served 3,641 manufacturers and have jointly realized the following impacts:

• Increased sales by $974 million 
• Retained sales by $1.218 billion 
• Increased investments by $1.036 billion
• Created and retained 19,186 jobs
• Experienced a cost savings of $428 million

We know how important it is to use this anniversary celebration to reflect on our good fortune.

Our commitment to improving the lives in communities we work with remains as strong as in 1997 – as does our gratitude for the support and partnership from all our friends and industry partners who are proud to call Washington State their home.

Thank you for 25 years of trusting Impact Washington to be the go-to manufacturing partner you deserve. Your support makes our commitment to our mission possible – then, now, always.

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It’s rough out there in the cybersecurity world but worse for manufacturing! 

In our July 12 Cybersecurity Forum, Tim Chase, MGF-ISAC, Program Director Manufacturing Information Sharing, and Analysis Center) presented Ransomware Targeting of U.S. Manufacturing and What To Do About It

Tim shares insight into why U.S. manufacturing was the number 1 target of ransomware in '21 and the trend continues in 2022. He also lists out why the financial payout of a ransomware attack is only a fraction of the total cost of the incident.  

He ends the Forums with advice on what businesses can do - high on the list is creating a proactive plan about what your company needs to do before an attack happens. Reacting to an incident often entails spending extra time and money in wasted areas.

Reach out to Impact Washington to discuss how we can proactively help you develop a plan to protect your critical assets? > Contact us here 

Learn more and view the July 12 Forum Here | View all Cybersecurity Forums Here 
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Forum Industry Partners include Pacific Northwest Defense Coalition (PNDC) and Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance (PNAA)

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Share Your Experience With/Interest in Hands-On, Skills-Based, Remote Learning

Focus Group Participants Wanted

The Washington State Department of Commerce is interested in hosting focus groups with manufacturing employers to learn more about gaps and opportunities in delivering hands-on, skills-based manufacturing learning in a remote environment. Findings will be reported to the Manufacturing Council and state legislature as part of efforts to double the State’s manufacturing employment base, the number of small businesses, and the number of women and minority-owned manufacturing businesses in the next 10 years.

These focus groups will be conducted by Seattle-based, social impact consulting firm Kinetic West who has extensive experience in multi-stakeholder facilitation and expertise in workforce pipeline development.

The state is looking to host the focus groups next week (Week of July 25^th). Each  group will be a maximize of 90 minutes long and conducted over zoom.

Please use this Doodle poll to indicate the time that works best for you.

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Implement safeguard, Lower Organization Risk, and Build Resilience in Your Supply Chain.  

In today’s marketplace, an understanding of your suppliers and your supplier’s suppliers is paramount to understanding your risk. Supply Chain Management is the active management of supply chain activities to maximize customer value and achieve sustainable competitive advantage.

We work with Washington manufacturers to reduce manufacturing lead time, lower supplier risk, grow strategic supplier relationships, and increase flexibility. All these improvements help a company become more competitive and respond to its customers’ ever-changing needs.

Your Can't Manage What You Can't See! Impact Washington’s supply chain experts are ready to help you rationalize your supply chain management strategy.                  >Contact us here 

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In case you missed it...

Download Your Copy of The Manufacturers' Guide To Finding And Retaining Talent > Get your copy here 

Lean and Green Coaching Programs Now Available For Process, Energy And Environmental Improvement  >Learn more and apply to participate 

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Manufactured In Washington Showcase

Woodinville is known for wine, but it’s also home to a company uncorking flavors in foods regionally and nationally. Garden Fresh Foods (GFF) supplies fresh, washed, ready-to-eat, and cut vegetables, including potatoes, tomatoes, celery, carrots, onions, peppers, cabbage, and squash, to companies utilizing them in soups, pizzas, tacos, sandwiches, plant-based products, and more. Customers include Campbell Soup Co., Blount Fine Foods, Domino’s, and Whole Foods Market. GFF excels best at partnering with other local, family- owned foodservice distributors, like Pacific Coast Fruit Co., Charlie’s Produce, and Harbor Foodservice.

Garden Fresh Foods receives fresh vegetables from local Washington farmers and beyond based on growing seasons.GFF recognizes anyone can cut produce, so it specializes in adhering to customers’ specifications and providing solutions for customers.

> Learn more about our tour of Garden Fresh Goods here