FEBRUARY 2018
THURSTON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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B UI L DI NG CO M MUNITY PROSPERITY FOR OVER 140 YEARS
PUBLISHER Thurston County Chamber of Commerce
Tumwater Manufacturing Experiences Steady Growth By David Schaffert, Thurston Chamber President/CEO
EDITORIAL Editor: David Schaffert Phone: (360) 357-3362 Email: dschaffert@thurstonchamber.com
CONTRIBUTORS
M
anufacturing activity in
steady growth is from the contribution of
Tumwater has experienced a
smaller manufacturers as well. “There are
relatively dramatic surge in
a lot of small companies out there that are
recent years. According to Jason Robertson
doing great work and employing people,
of JRO + CO, a local planner and economist
and we need to talk about them too,” he
Natasha Ashenhurst
who tracks performance data for the
said.
Rebekah Finn
Thurston Community Economic Alliance
David Schaffert Doug Mah
Doria Maselli
ADVERTISING Sales and Marketing: Blake Knoblauch
and many local communities, Tumwater manufacturing sales have more than doubled since 2009.
For this issue of the VOICE, we spoke with both large and small manufacturers located in Tumwater to take a more indepth look at one sector of the Thurston
Aaron Bernhard Phone: (360) 357-3362
As Tumwater and other communities
County economy— an industry that is often
Email: info@thurstonchamber.com
struggled through the end of the great
behind the scenes, but doing substantive,
SUBSCRIPTIONS
recession, manufacturing sales lingered
meaningful work.
Phone: (360) 357-3362
around $12 million annually. Following
Email: info@thurstonchamber.com
significant spikes in 2011 and 2014
DESIGN
and steady growth ever since, annual
Mosaic Marketing Studio
Tumwater manufacturing sales are now
COVER ART
valued at more than $25 million annually
As Doan said, “In Tumwater especially, we love to talk about our brewing and distilling sector but to have brewers and distillers you need someone to manufacture cans and bottles, barrels and tanks. The
Dreamstime.com
as of the end of the calendar year 2016.
PRINTING
A good portion of this growth is from
more resilient we’ll be in an economic
Print NW
the more substantial manufacturers like
downturn. Also, a diverse economy creates
CONTACT THE CHAMBER
Alaffia, Pepsi NW, and Cardinal Glass,
jobs for a diverse workforce.” ●
PO Box 1427
but Tumwater City Manager John Doan
809 Legion Way SE
reminded me recently that a lot of the
Olympia, WA 98507
more we can help all sectors thrive, the
Phone: (360) 357-3362 Email: info@thurstonchamber.com Website: thurstonchamber.com
COPYRIGHT All material appearing in the
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publisher accepts no responsibility
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or liability for the accuracy of any
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VOICE Magazine is copyright unless otherwise stated or it may rest with the provider of the supplied material. The VOICE Magazine takes all care to ensure information is correct at time of printing, but the
information contained in the text or advertisements.
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February 2018 Every month, the Thurston County Chamber offers several networking events, forums & workshops to the community. Here are some highlights you won't want to miss. Young Professionals Network (YPN) Join YPN on Feb. 1 at 5:30 p.m. at El Sarape, located at 955 Black Lake Blvd., Olympia. YPN is a great place to interact with younger business professionals in a low-pressure environment.
CONTENT & CALENDAR In this issue...
6 Tumwater Makers & Manufacturers Get to know this sector of Tumwater's diverse and thriving economy.
Morning Mixxer at LoanStar
9
Join our host, LoanStar Home Lending, on Tuesday, February
Winsor Fireform
6 at 7:30 a.m. for the Thurston Chamber’s Morning Mixxer.
Public art manufacturing.
LoanStar will provide breakfast treats, our sponsor L&E Bottling will host the coffee bar—and you can enjoy a morning of networking. Morning Mixxer is free to attend.
10 Advocacy Update
Distinguished Leader Awards
Housing is regional priority.
Join Leadership Thurston County and the Chamber Foundation on February 8 at 5:30 p.m. for Distinguished Leader Awards honoring Abbot Neal Roth, OSB, Saint Martin’s University Olowo-n’djo Tchala & Prairie Rose Hyde, Alaffia and Taylor Shellfish Farms.
Forum: Education Summit & Expo The Education Summit & EXPO on February 14 at 11:00 a.m. at the Hotel RL Olympia is formatted to be engaging and interactive. The Education Summit will also feature an Education EXPO for educators to
12 OilTrap Environmental Meet OilTrap's founder, Dale Nelson and learn about his journey from IBM to entrepreneur.
connect with the Forum attendees. Register today by visiting thurstonchamber.com and click on Events.
14
Business After Hours at Olympia Federal Savings
Cardinal Glass Learn about Cardinal's 56 years of innovation.
Join the Chamber on Thurs., Feb. 15 at 5:30 p.m. for Business After Hours at Olympia Federal Savings. Business After Hours is a free networking event. Hosts provide light appetizers and beverages, games and raffles. Location: 4310 6th Ave SE, Lacey.
Thank you, sponsors! thurstonchamber.com
20 Pepsi NW Independent & AwardWinning beverage company.
Thurston County Chamber VOICE February 2018 5
GET TO KNOW...
Tumwater's Makers & Manufacturers
M
anufacturing activity in Tumwater has experienced a relatively dramatic surge in recent years. According to Jason Robertson of JRO + CO, a local planner and economist who tracks performance data for the Thurston Community Economic Alliance and many local communities; Tumwater manufacturing sales have more than doubled since 2009. In this issue of the VOICE Magazine, we're putting the spotlight on Tumwater's maker & manufacturing sector. Learn about Winsor Fireform, Cardinal Glass, OilTrap Environmental and Pepsi Northwest Beverages, only a handful of the great businesses in this community. Here are some of the other organizations that fall within this diverse sector of the economy. Note: This is not a complete list, but represents a large portion of this sector. 8 Arms Bakery 8108 River Dr. SE # 108 Olympia, WA 98501 www.8armsbakery.com
Alaffia 8109 River Dr SE Tumwater, WA 98501 alaffia.com
6 • February 2018 Thurston County Chamber VOICE
Advanced Drainage Systems Inc. 6001 Belmore St SW Tumwater, WA 98512 www.ads-pipe.com/
Allied Building Products 2780 29th Ave SW Tumwater, WA 98512 Alliedbuilding.Com
thurstonchamber.com
From left to right: Matchless Brewing, Cardinal Glass, Alaffia and OilTrap Environmental. Amcor Rigid Plastics 3045 32nd Ave SW Tumwater, WA 98512 Amcor.Com
Custom Source Woodworking 7745 Arab Dr SE Olympia, WA 98501 www.cswwinc.com
LifeSafer Ignition Interlock 2806 29th Ave SW Tumwater, WA 98512 lifesafer.com
Raven's Brew Coffee 3035 37th Ave SW # A Tumwater, WA 98512 Ravensbrew.Com
American Benchmark Machine Works 926 79th Ave SE Olympia, WA 98501 www.benchmarkmachine.com
EcoWoodworks 3016 Sapp Rd SW Tumwater, WA 98512
Martin Furniture Manufacturing 9730 Lathrop Industrial Olympia, WA 98512 www.martinfurnituremfg.com
Sherwood Press 811 5th Ave SW Tumwater, WA 98512 Sherwoodgroupuk.Com
Applied Industrial Tech Inc 2747 R W Johnson Rd SW Tumwater, WA 98512 Applied.Com-Industrial Capital Industrial 2649 R W Johnson Rd SW Tumwater, WA 98512 capitalindustrialinc.com Capital Machine LLC 2643 RW Johnson Blvd SW Tumwater, WA 98512 www.capitalmachinetumwater. com
Genothen 2948 29th Ave SW Tumwater, WA 98512 Rittercabinet.Com H2O Jet 1145 85th Ave SE Tumwater, WA 98501 www.waterjetparts.com Ice Chips Candy 818 79th Ave SE Olympia, WA 98501 www.icechips.com
Capital City Press 2975 37th Ave SW Tumwater, WA 98512 www.capitolcitypress.com Cardinal Glass 700 Pat Kennedy Way SW Tumwater, WA 98501 www.cardinalcorp.com Cascade Kitchens Inc 1216 2nd Ave SW Tumwater, WA 98512 Cascadekitchens.Com CH2O Inc 8820 Old Highway 99 SE Tumwater, WA 98501 Ch2o.Com Columbia Bottlers Group 3003 R W Johnson Rd SW Tumwater, WA 98512 Colbev.Com
thurstonchamber.com
Matchless Brewing Deschutes Landing 8036 River Dr SE #208 Tumwater, WA 98501 www.matchlessbrewing.com MegaMachine Shop 5323 Joppa St SW Tumwater, WA 98512 megamachineshop.com/ North Pointe Ind 2918 Ferguson St SW # C2 Tumwater, WA 98512 Northpointeindustries.Com Northwest Refrigeration Inc. 6111 Esther St SW Tumwater, WA 98501 Vaughnmechanical.Com
Ila's Foods Deschutes Landing 8036 River Dr Suite 204 Olympia, WA 98501 www.ilasfoods.com Industrial Hydraulics 2815 37th Ave SW Tumwater, WA 98512 www.industrialhydraulicsinc. com Insta Pipe 855 Trosper Rd SW Tumwater, WA 98512 Insta-Pipe.Com Kloeckner Metals 3215 Cougar Ln SW Tumwater, WA 98512 www.kloecknermetals.com Metal fabricator
OilTrap Environmental 8904 Kimmie Street SW Tumwater, WA 98512 oiltrap.com O-rama! Teardrop Trailers 9228 Blue Mountain Olympia, WA 98512 mlwoodworks.com Pepsi Beverages Co 3139 Ferguson Ct SW Tumwater, WA 98512 Pepsico.Com Pure Solar 819 78th Ave SW Tumwater, WA 98501 www.puresolarinc.com
Soloy Aviation Solutions 450 Pat Kennedy Way SW Tumwater, WA 98501 www.soloy.com Thermal Supply 715 78th Ave SW # G Tumwater, WA 98501 Thermalsupplyinc.Com Triceratops Brewing Company Deschutes Landing 8036 River Dr SE #203 Tumwater, WA 98501 www.triceratopsbrewing.com Truss Co 5232 Joppa St SW Tumwater, WA 98512 Trusscomponents.Com Western Superior Structurals 7380 New Market St SW Tumwater, WA 98501 Windfall Lumber 711 Tumwater Blvd D Tumwater, WA 98501 windfalllumber.com Winsor Fireform 3401 Mottman Road SW Tumwater, WA 98512 www.winsorfireform.com
Thurston County Chamber VOICE February 2018 7
Caught in the Lens...
8 • February 2018 Thurston County Chamber VOICE
Photos taken at the following events: December Business After Hours at Wells Fargo, Morning Mixxer at Nelson Interiors, Ribbon Cutting at Our Community Credit Union, January Business After Hours at Impressions Dentistry and January's State of the Community Forum.
thurstonchamber.com
Above: A series of interpretive signs and custom corten steel frames Winsor Fireform made for the California Department of Transportation along the coast near Big Sur, CA. Photo courtesy of the California Department of Transportation.
Meet Winsor Fireform, A Public Art Manufacturer Located in Tumwater Clients include The Walt Disney Company and the Getty Museum.
T
umwater manufacturer Winsor Fireform is world-renowned for its monument quality
THE PROCESS: “Most of the projects are on a business-to-business basis. For
porcelain enamel imaging, but if you tried to
example, a city will hire an artist to create a piece. The city
find its Tumwater headquarters, you might have
hires us to replicate the artwork in monument quality porcelain
trouble because — as President Bryan Stockdale
enamel imaging and then the city hires a contractor to complete
jokes — they are a world-famous sign maker with
the installation to our specifications," said Stockdale.
no sign of their own. Winsor’s clients include transit centers across the country, The
UNIQUE SELLING PROPOSITION: “We manufacture all of our enamels. Our color library is the
Walt Disney Company, the Getty Museum and the Smithsonian.
largest color library of enamels in North America.” -Bryan
If you have been to a visitor’s center at a national park, you’re
Stockdale.
sure to have seen the work of Winsor Fireform in the form of interpretive signage.
WORKFORCE: “Virtually everyone we have here was trained here in the
THE PRODUCT:
process we’ve developed. We have a lot of institutional
They manufacture custom products for public art, murals,
knowledge from decades of doing this work. We have a very
wayfinding, interpretive and many other exhibit types.
proprietary formula that is unique to us.” -Bryan Stockdale
“It is always a challenge to explain what we do. We are a public
Learn More
art manufacturer. Our specialty is porcelain enamel coatings on steel. We do it with true photographic quality reproduction,” Stockdale said.
thurstonchamber.com
Visit Winsor Fireform online at http://www.winsorfireform.com/ Location: 3401 Mottman Road SW Tumwater, WA 98512 Ph: 360.786.8200
Thurston County Chamber VOICE February 2018 9
ADVOCACY UPDATE
Left: A Low Income Housing Institute (LiHi) building on Adams, downtown Olympia, that set aside 16 units to house homeless veterans. Photo by Greg Rains of Lionsdenpro. Middle: Proposed market-rate housing project called Westman Mill. Architect's rendering created by Olympia architecture firm, Thomas Architecture Studios. Right: Market rate housing off Legion by the local developer, Walker John. Photo by Lionsdenpro.
Housing – A regional priority. By Doug Mah, Doug Mah & Associates and Thurston Chamber's Public Policy Division Director
T
he Thurston Chamber of Commerce is a longtime advocate for public policies that support a robust and affordable housing market. Chamber members will see an increase by state and local government to address what has become a housing crisis in our region. This crisis is made visible by increases in homelessness combined with decreases in affordable housing. In 2005, the Chamber developed a series of local government principles that we believe are still meaningful today. More than 12 years ago, the Chamber advocated for the following: • A predictable, equitable, and stable development climate, from land regulations to building codes to plan reviews, is required to provide the lowest possible end cost to the purchaser/user of residential housing. • Comprehensive plans and zoning should specifically address how to meet projected housing needs for families of all income levels. Higher urban densities will be required to achieve these policies. • Higher density housing development within the Urban Growth Management Area should be promoted through policies, procedures, administrative methods, and fee structures. • High occupancy, low income, urban housing complexes are highly desirable along major arterials served by public transport.
10 • February 2018 Thurston County Chamber VOICE
Today, the older Chamber principles are visible as part of the current Thurston Thrives Housing Strategies. Thurston Thrives is a county-wide initiative designed to engage the entire community in improving public health and safety. It takes a systems approach to identifying priority health outcomes and implementing cross-sector strategies to achieve community targets. The Chamber has long recognized the importance of housing for the region. The Chamber agrees that a broad community approach, framed by Thurston Thrives, is needed to address housing issues in our community. We will draw on our history and extensive base of subject matter experts found among Chamber members as we work with public and nonprofit partners to bring about important change. Housing builds personal and community wealth. Greater housing densities create more efficient and effective delivery of public services and private commerce. Vibrant and resilient communities require housing for all incomes and housing is required for a healthy and safe community. Chamber members can expect the Public Policy Division to remain active and engaged as our public policy makers deal with this crisis. ●
thurstonchamber.com
Annual Education Summit and Education EXPO at Thurston Chamber’s February Forum
Left: Yelm Community Schools Welding: MIG welding mild steel to repair greenhouse table. Right: One of Capital High School's Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers, William Murray. Photo by Scott Le Duc.
T
he Thurston Chamber’s Education Summit Forum on February 14 is formatted to be engaging and interactive. We’ll hear directly from career and technical education experts about what schools are doing to prepare students for the world of work. The Education Summit will also feature an Education EXPO for educators to connect with the Forum attendees. The EXPO will open to the public at 11 a.m., showcasing what schools in our community are teaching our students. Come and find out what is going on in education! We’ll have
over 20 exhibitors. The event begins at 11 a.m. at Hotel RL Olympia. Forum includes lunch and is $35 for general admission, $25 for prepaid Chamber members and $30 for members at the door. The Chamber encourages advance registration for the Education Summit & EXPO. Thank you to our sponsors, Saint Martin’s University, Charter College and Club Z In-home Tutoring Services. ●
NEW YEAR, NEW US! 2018 will bring changes for The Rants Group, and we can’t wait to share them with you! Keep an eye out to see what’s new in the coming year as we build toward the future.
Happy New Year from
The Rants Group
Proudly providing 43 years of Commercial Sales, Leasing and Management services
(360) 943-8060
|
rants-group.com
724 Columbia St NW, Suite 140 | Olympia, WA 98501
thurstonchamber.com
Thurston County Chamber VOICE February 2018 11
Above: OilTrap's 100 gallon per minute processing system, fully automated.
IBM Employee to Entrepreneur Dale Nelson’s OilTrap Environmental celebrates over 20 years as a Tumwater Manufacturer By Natasha Ashenhurst
D
ale Nelson’s 14 years with IBM took him and his family to several new places, including Olympia. When IBM closed their Olympia campus, Nelson declined another transfer and stayed in Thurston County to become an entrepreneur.
Nelson knew from his experience that he wanted his startup to have a focus on research and
Nelson and his team have
development, which was the work he most enjoyed at IBM. His market research revealed that
perfected the EC process over
“water treatment was still in the Stone Ages,” so he made that the focus of his new venture.
the last 24 years, and they currently have 600 systems
Nelson founded OilTrap in 1993, and the business is now celebrating 24 years as a Tumwater
installed throughout North
manufacturer. OilTrap’s first successful project was improving bilge pumps on boats, but Nelson
America. Their focus is
decided to change the company’s focus to an emerging technology called electrocoagulation (EC).
industrial wastewater, and they build complete systems
“Electrocoagulation is an electrical process — as opposed to chemical — to improve water quality,”
for their customers that
said Nelson. “Whether it is industrial wastewater or stormwater, EC removes contaminants —
handle between five and 300
such as oil and grease, heavy metals and suspended solids — from wash water, stormwater or
gallons per minute, depending
wastewater. This process lowers treatment costs and meets [Environmental Protection Agency]
on customer need.
regulation.”
12 • February 2018 Thurston County Chamber VOICE
thurstonchamber.com
Left: All of OilTrap's systems have 10" or 12" touch screens for ease of operation. Middle: OilTrap's founder and CEO, Dale Nelson. Right: OilTrap's 10 gallon per minute processing system, fully automated. OilTrap’s clients include companies
Once OilTrap sells a system to a
like Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, which
company, they excel at expanding
buys and sells heavy equipment.
vertically into similar markets.
Prior to auction, equipment is steam
who can think outside the box.” Creative thinking is critical when employees are in the field installing a
process. OilTrap’s system captures the
Challenge: Finding “Out of the Box” Thinking Employees
What’s Next for OilTrap?
wastewater runoff, and -- through EC
Nelson said employees with plumbing
OilTrap remains committed to new
-- removes contaminants making it
and electrical backgrounds are the best
research and development within the
ready for recycling or to discharge into
suited to build OilTrap systems, but
realm of EC, but sometimes this means
septic or sewer systems. Other clients
they also need to be creative and learn
visiting the past. OilTrap’s newest
include companies in the oil and gas,
quickly on the job.
venture involves bilge — the company’s
distribution, agriculture, marine and
“Finding creative thinkers is our biggest
original focus — and their next
mining sectors.
challenge,” said Nelson. “We’re always
installation is an EC system for the Port
looking for younger kids out of school
of Valdez in Alaska. ●
cleaned, which means there is a lot of oil and grease runoff from the cleaning
new system and need to find solutions to unexpected challenges.
BEST OF SOUTH SOUND AWARDS March 14, Saint Martin’s Pavilion
Event Sponsor:
Vote daily for your favorite South Sound businesses from Jan. 15 - Feb. 11 @ theolympian.com/contests Then, register for the Best of South Sound Awards, brought to you by The Olympian and the Thurston County Chamber.
Tickets at thurstonchamber.com/events
thurstonchamber.com
Thurston County Chamber VOICE February 2018 13
Eric, Justin and Kendra working hard to package the coated glass products to prepare them for shipment.
Cardinal Glass, Tumwater Manufacturing Tempered Safety Glass By Doria Maselli
C
ardinal Glass Industries was started in Minneapolis in 1962 with 11 employees. In Cardinal’s 56 years of innovation and production of residential glass, the company has expanded to 37 manufacturing locations in the United States with 6,600 employees — including 182 in Thurston County. Chief Executive Officer Roger O’Shaughnessy began as a worker at Cardinal’s Minneapolis factory in 1967, and has been at the helm of the company for more than 50 years.
Employee longevity is common at Cardinal — a management-
been overseeing the Tumwater plant operations for two years.
owned S-Corporation — where company culture focuses
The average tenure among Tumwater’s 10-person management
on employee satisfaction, training and development, and
team is 18 years — undoubtedly the result of the positive
promoting from within.
culture and special incentives, including tuition reimbursement for qualifying educational pursuits and a unique profit sharing
Dan Hackl, plant manager of Cardinal’s Tumwater location,
incentive.
has been with the company for 21 years. He began working in maintenance at a location in Wisconsin, moved up to technical
For each month a Cardinal location meets its sales and
manager positions — first in Texas, then Wisconsin — and has
performance quota, each employee receives a bonus equal to
14 • February 2018 Thurston County Chamber VOICE
thurstonchamber.com
Over 180 Cardinal employees work in Thurston County. Photo taken at Cardinal's 2017 Holiday Party. 52 percent of their monthly base pay —
insulating glass helps homes reduce
Sound Energy will aim to significantly
33 percent of this comes in the form of
peak and annual energy consumption.
reduce Tumwater manufacturing energy
a cash payment, while the remaining 19
Partnering with window manufacturers
costs. Tours of the Tumwater plant
percent is contributed to the employee’s
in the production of efficient glass
have been given to college students,
401K plan.
creates emission savings in the housing
including those enrolled at South Puget
sector, the largest single consumer of
Sound Community College. Cardinal
energy in the United States.
also works closely with staffing agencies
“New employees almost can’t believe
Express Employment in Olympia and
this,” says Hackl. “It seems too good to be true, but it’s an incentive we are really
Cardinal prides itself on neutralizing its
Smart Talent in Lacey to recruit for
proud to be able to offer.
entire carbon footprint within the first
manufacturing jobs.
12 months after its products have been “Tumwater’s success with this incentive
installed in North American homes.
The Cardinal business model is simple and effective: Focus on your business
program is a direct result of great The company also believes success
and employees. Add value. Listen to
comes from treating the communities
your customers. Create value and
The Tumwater location has met its
surrounding its manufacturing plants
innovate. They’ve abided by these rules
quota and offered profit sharing to
with respect. A recent grant from Puget
successfully for more than 50 years, and
teamwork by our employees.”
employees every month for the last eight consecutive years. The plant produced 97,175,060 square feet of glass in 2017 — enough to wrap a 6-inch wide glass
remain committed to continuing. ●
Doria Maselli is a freelance writer for the VOICE Magazine. You can contact her by emailing doria.maselli@gmail.com
ribbon around the earth 1.48 times. The Tumwater plant manufactures tempered safety glass and low emissivity coatings for residential glass, providing window manufacturers with a variety of advanced products using the latest in applied glass science. Cardinal’s advanced energy-conserving LoE3 — pronounced “low-e cubed” —
thurstonchamber.com
Thurston County Chamber VOICE February 2018 15
2018 Marks 50 Years of Service at Timberland Regional Libraries Strengthening Community and Transforming Lives.
T
imberland libraries are more than just buildings full of books and banks of computers, they have become cultural centers where people gather to explore, imagine, learn, and interact. Libraries are welcoming places for everyone to read, learn, connect, and grow! Libraries are:
Centers for diverse populations: Libraries help all community members recognize the depth of diversity in their areas, incorporate language-learning tools, bilingual book clubs and events, provide new Americans with citizenship information and offer programs, resources, and support for all patrons.
Resources for navigating community services: Libraries provide access to vital services such as applying online for food, medical and cash assistance from DSHS; connecting
Important partners for businesses, entrepreneurs, and job-seekers:
people to information available on health care coverage,
Resume and cover letter resources, in-branch computer access,
resources.
free Wi-Fi, free printing services along with technology training and certification testing can help prepare job seekers for their next opportunity. Free classes and workshops for small business owners and resources for business plans and funding sources assist local entrepreneurs in making dreams a reality. In addition, we are excited to announce that all 27 Timberland libraries have been provisionally accepted as WorkSource Connection Sites which will increase our job referral and assistance resources.
housing, legal & financial information, and other community
These are just a few of the amazing ways your local Timberland libraries build and maintain strong community connections and provide equal access to information. All year long we will be celebrating together the past 50 years of service as we look forward to what the next 50 years will bring. Join us on social media, in our communities, and if you haven’t been to your local Timberland library recently, we encourage you to stop by and check it out, you’ll be amazed at what you can discover! ●
Cultural hubs that offer functional, community-based gathering places: More than just going to the library for information, people find each other there. New parents connect at book-babies and play groups, teens meet up after school and for special youth-focused events, adults attend computer classes, author talks, and book discussions, and people of all ages engage in the creation and celebration of art and culture.
Focal points for education and life-long learning: Children are introduced to the magic of learning through Storytimes, students can find book clubs, homework help and study groups, parents can access homeschooling and earlylearning resources, adults can attend classes and trainings online and in-person.
Locally responsive to specific interests and relevant needs of the community: Public meeting rooms are available for civic, cultural, or community interest events, independent living assistive technology devices are available to borrow, and birding backpacks can be checked out for outdoor adventures around our community.
16 • February 2018 Thurston County Chamber VOICE
thurstonchamber.com
What does a $50 annual tax investment to the Port look like?
RETURNING YOUR INVESTMENT
O
Business activity supporting nearly 5,000 familywage jobs +$100 million in wages
O
Environmental Stewardship: Budd Bay Clean-up, East Bay Remediation, Cascade Pole and more
O
Small Cities Program to support community development goals in rural Thurston
O
Port Plaza and viewing platform, waterfront trail, public docks and public waterfront access
O
and much more For more information on how the Port supports Thurston County visit
PORTOLYMPIA.COM thurstonchamber.com
Thurston County Chamber VOICE February 2018 17
Congratulations to Our Community Credit Union! On January 11, they held a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony at their new Steamboat branch located at 6541 Sexton Dr. NW.
Welcome, New Members Armour & Associates, PS Sam Armour 360-943-6164 armourcpa.com Accountants Catholic Community Services (CCS) Family Behavioral Health- Therapeutic Foster Care Josie LeMier (360) 280-5017 Facebook.com/CCSTFC Non-Profit Organizations & Associations Dex-YP Cameron Zuber (844) 339-7253 x 1112193 www.cameronzuber.emp.thryv.com Telephone Books Fired Up Networking Sara Anderson (253) 365-2666 firedupnetworking.com Networking Handy Man Rescue, LLC Wayne Wertz (503) 348-5854 handymanrescue.me Contractors – General
18 • February 2018 Thurston County Chamber VOICE
Keller Williams - Dave and Saundra Sisk Saundra Sisk (360) 470-9803 www.saundrasisk.kwrealty.com Real Estate - Agents & Companies – Residential Loanstar Home Lending ShyAnne Haney (360) 790-2514 www.thehaneyteam.com Banks/Mortgage Companies/Financial Services/Financial Planners North Thurston Education Foundation Mike Jones (360) 790-6548 ntef.org Non-Profit Organizations & Associations Schilling Consulting & Recruiting Services Albert Schilling (253) 686-1574 www.beafarmersagent.com/alewis Insurance The Law Offices of Morgan Fletcher Benfield, PLLC Katherine Backovski (253) 203-3379 https://www.benfieldlegal.com Attorneys & Legal Services
thurstonchamber.com
JAN. 1 MAR. 15
Thurston Green Business celebrates sustainability in Thurston County. Apply to become a Thurston Green Business or renew your designation. thurstongreenbusiness.com
360.456.4999
venablespestmanagement.com info@venablespest.com
TRUSTED BY THOUSANDS Venables Pest Management is a locally owned and operated company using pet-friendly, professional pest management solutions for ants, termites, mice, beetles, spiders, bed bugs, yellow jackets and rats. We also offer commercial and residential maintenance services and real estate inspections. Give us a call today.
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Thurston County Chamber VOICE February 2018 19
Above: Pepsi Northwest Beverages LLC's General Manager Tim Lew is on the far left front with many of PNB's employees at their Tumwater facility. The photo is courtesy of Pepsi Northwest Beverages LLC.
Award Winning Pepsi Northwest Is Quenching Thirst from California to Alaska By Rebekah Finn
P
epsi Northwest Beverages LLC operates one of the largest beverage production plants in the nation, right here in Thurston County. Producing a variety of complex drinks—including soft drinks, Gatorade products and iced teas—the Tumwater plant is quenching thirsts from California to Alaska.
The agreement also supports the position
Despite the corporate name association, however, PNB is an independent company
By joining with Pepsi, smaller bottlers are
guided by a board of local residents and business owners. The organization grew out
able to maintain their local brands and
of a co-op of small businesses that needed an efficient way to scale their beverage
established styles of customer service,
production. In 2006, they joined together to form the LLC joint venture, and made an
while also benefiting from the large-scale
agreement with PepsiCo, Inc.—one of the largest food and beverage companies in the
capabilities and operations efficiencies of
world—to have access to Pepsi’s manufacturing systems. The agreement brought along
a corporate manufacturing system. The
a consolidation of production from plants in Oregon and Washington, centralizing the
decisions and values of the local board
region’s manufacturing of PepsiCo beverages.
of directors guides Lew, and he’s also
20 • February 2018 Thurston County Chamber VOICE
of General Manager Tim Lew, who has 38 years of Pepsi plant operations experience in California, Washington, Oregon and Hawaii. “The Northwest is unique in having quite a few smaller bottlers in rural areas,” said Lew.
thurstonchamber.com
able to pull from the knowledge and administrative support of
Award,” given to the single best quality plant in the country.
corporate experience.
Even up against big national competitors, our very own PNB
With experience from plant chemist to plant director, and
won by far more awards than any other operation.
several positions in between, Lew has seen what works and
“We basically had a clean sweep,” said Lew. “I think it’s because
what doesn’t when it comes to large-scale beverage production.
of the great people we have here and the culture we’ve built.”
Lew realized four years ago that there was a disconnect
Lew is certainly proud of PNB’s employees and the
between the employees and the management in the plant.
improvements they’ve made together, and the admiration is
Many supervisor positions were being filled from outside
clearly mutual. Plant Administrator Jessie Ober said Lew,
of the company, and younger supervisors coming in did not
“...always has the best teaching stories. He’s a really kind-
always have the full respect of their employees. Lew and his
hearted, hardworking, out-of-the-box and we are so fortunate to
staff were able to work together with the Thurston County
have him.”
Chamber of Commerce to partner on an annual career day, offering resume and computer skills training, and informative talks from current management staff. These career days have proved to be an invaluable asset to the company, as it has not only boosted morale among the 230 employees, but have also provided opportunities for leaders to rise from the ranks. Now, 84 percent of all PNB’s promotions come out of these career days. These supervisors hold high levels of credibility with their employees, and turnover rate is no longer a problem. The benefits from the shift in hiring and promoting practices have been tangible. In 2016, PNB was recognized many times over in PepsiCo’s national awards, including “Best Region”, “Best Large Plant,” “Best of the Best” and “Platinum Quality
Who knew we had such a positive example of how national corporations and local businesses can collaborate to develop a successful manufacturing community right here in our own backyard? The culture that fosters personal improvement and encouragement at PNB has allowed them to thrive in their service to their large region of customers. Lew is excited to share PNB’s success with the community. “We’ve put on our business cards now, ‘PNB—The place to be!’ And we believe that,” said Lew. “We’re really proud to work here together.”
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Rebekah Finn is a freelance writer for the VOICE Magazine and owner of Finn Communications. finncommoly@gmail.com
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Thurston County Chamber VOICE February 2018 21
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