Manufacturing

Sioux Steel acquires Scafco Grain System

Buyer Sioux Steel Co. to keep Scafco employees, operations in Spokane

March 24, 2022

Longtime Spokane company Scafco Grain Systems Co. has been acquired by Sioux Steel Co., of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Scafco Grain Systems, which designs and manufactures grain storage bins, silos, handling equipment, and drying technology, has operated

Washington state, Russia share commerce history, uncertain future

Commerce relationship decades in the making deteriorates in wake of invasion of Ukraine

March 24, 2022

Mike Flynn

Watching Russia in an aggressor role in its unprovoked war on Ukraine likely has brought a mix of sadness and regret for those who recall the time in 1994 that Boris Yeltsin, first president of the Russian Federation, stood before a Seattle luncheon

Property crimes rise in Spokane core

Some say numbers would be worse if more businesses reported vandalism, break-ins

March 24, 2022

Virginia Thomas

Commercial property crime is up in the downtown core, and property owners say they're increasing protection measures. According to data from the Spokane Police Department's crime report statistics, commercial burglary reports increased nearly 127%

Scafco Grain Systems sold to South Dakota company

Sioux Steel Co. to retain employees, operations in Spokane

March 17, 2022

Mike McLean

Longtime Spokane company Scafco Grain Systems Co. has been acquired by Sioux Steel Co., of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Baxter Performance to expand into retail markets

Dealerships, repair shops may carry products made by Baxter Performance

March 10, 2022

Karina Elias

Spokane Valley-based manufacturer Baxter Performance is expanding its line of automotive oil filter adaptors to be placed in car dealerships and service garages for retail sales. Kevin Baxter, president of Baxter Performance says of the move:

Whatever Happened To: Mullen's plans for a West Plains electric-vehicle manufacturing plant

Startup Mullen Automotive moves on from Spokane, opens new plant in South

January 27, 2022

Mike McLean

Mullen Automotive Inc. appears to have left Spokane and Memphis, Tennessee both in its rearview mirror and now is planning to base its initial electric-vehicle production in Mississippi.

Bill backed by Billig to entice manufacturing jobs

Economic development groups like the measure, but it could reduce PDA revenues

January 27, 2022

Karina Elias

A state Senate bill designed to provide incentives to create manufacturing jobs is receiving some support here, though it might reduce revenue for some public entities that were created to promote such job creation.

Spokane Industries changes hands

Tenold brothers spin off Spokane Stainless Technologies

January 12, 2022

Linn Parish

Spokane Industries Inc. owners Greg and Tyrus Tenold have sold the foundry business and spun off its stainless products division into a new company, Spokane Stainless Technologies Inc.

Future looks shiny for Silver Valley mining industry

Production of silver, rare earth elements said vital to economy

December 16, 2021

Mike McLean

Mining companies active in North Idaho's Silver Valley are optimistic about 2022 and beyond. Mike Satre, Coeur d'Alene-based Hecla's Mining Co.'s director of governmental affairs, says the company expects to see steady production of silver, gold

Volatility in wood prices, supply to extend into 2022

Weather, hike in duties to influence market here

December 16, 2021

Virginia Thomas

Prices for wood products have been up and down this year, and experts say that volatility will remain into 2022. Shawn Church, editor of the Eugene, Ore.-based FastMarkets Random Lengths, a publication that tracks lumber prices and forest-products