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Sept. 12, 2018
PricewaterhouseCoopers manufacturing attractiveness analysis puts Washington ahead of Texas and Georgia; South Carolina #17
Olympia, Wash. --- High scores for industry,
infrastructure and economy pushed Washington to the top of the list in a new
report from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) on aerospace manufacturing attractiveness
internationally and among U.S. states. The
paper notes in particular Washington's 1,400+ aerospace companies and the highest
concentration of aerospace jobs in America. The next closest competitor states are
Texas and Georgia.
The PwC study is the second
major independent research report placing Washington state above all other competitors
as the best place to design and build commercial aircraft. In June, the Teal
Report on U.S. Aerospace Competitive Economics came to the same conclusion in a study released by the Choose Washington
New Middle-Market Airplane (NMA) Council.
"Built on over a century of innovation and leadership that began with the Boeing Airplane Company, Washington state's aerospace industry today stands head and shoulders above any other. We intend to keep aiming higher by building on our strengths and addressing opportunities identified in this and other independent rankings," said Gov. Jay Inslee.
"It's gratifying to see others validate what we know -- Washington State is the best place to design and build aircraft in the
world," said Commerce Director Brian Bonlender. "We already
have the most productive aerospace workforce and other industry expertise.
Now, a confluence of new technologies developing right here in our state –
from cloud computing and artificial intelligence to composites and advanced
manufacturing – provides incredible opportunities for the future of our
aerospace sector."
Leaders of the NMA Council joined in hailing the
PricewaterhouseCoopers report.
“This is great news for all of Washington,” said Dr. Noel
Schulz, co-chair of the NMA Council and a professor at Washington State
University. “We are in a strong position, and to stay there we must
continue to make investments in education, workforce training and in
infrastructure.”
Schulz’ NMA co-chair, Rick Bender, former president of the
Washington State Labor Council, said the report validates the contribution of Washington’s aerospace workforce.
“Aerospace companies want to be in Washington because we
have the most highly skilled and productive workforce in the industry,” Bender
said. “The workforce here is a major advantage to aerospace
companies.”
Learn more about the Choose
Washington NMA Council and subscribe to their
newsletter for updates on efforts to win design and manufacturing of the
new aircraft being considered by Boeing.
Read the PwC Report.
Twitter: @WAStateCommerce
Facebook: facebook.com/wastatecommerce
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