Manufacturing

Data center pause clouds Spokane's future

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Spokane's decision to immediately halt new developments of computer data centers for one year could affect the city's ability to compete for future billion-dollar investments.

Five Takeaways: Manufacturing & Innovation

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

For its latest episode of Elevating The Conversation, the Journal sat down with Mike Marzetta, president of Altek Inc. and co-founder of Minds-i Inc., to discuss manufacturing and innovation.

Sleepless nights inspire Spokane invention

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

SleepVibe Inc. has increased sales of its sleep aid device by more than 300% over the past year through podcast advertisements and support from sleep apnea doctors and first responders across the Inland Northwest who are discovering the benefits of the company’s namesake invention, says CEO and founder James Marsh.

Wagstaff adds shipping hub to support growth

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Wagstaff Inc. is scaling its nuclear manufacturing capacity with the launch of a new 18,000-square-foot shipping facility, a move designed to clear the way for high-tech fabrication projects at its Spokane Valley campus.

Entrepreneur turns business success into legacy

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 21 May 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Since launching The Genova Foundation in February 2025, Mike and Sandi Genova have awarded or pledged $1.2 million in grants to nonprofits with initiatives in health care, youth, and economic development.

I-90 Aerospace Conference readies for takeoff

Thu, 07 May 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Nuclear power, quantum technology, and data centers are among the topics planned for discussion at the I-90 Aerospace+ Corridor Conference & Expo this month.

2026 Icons: Ray Lawton

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 07 May 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Four generations of the Lawton family have maintained leadership of Lawton Printing Inc. and FILE-EZ Inc. — an accomplishment many family businesses can’t claim. Instrumental to that level of continuity has been Ray Lawton, 79, who, along with his late brother Gary Lawton, represents the third generation to lead both Spokane companies.

Continuous Composites relocates facility, expands

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Continuous Composites Inc., a Coeur d'Alene-based carbon fiber parts and machines manufacturer, is planning to expand its workforce following a successful move to a new office and warehouse space at 3875 N. Schreiber Way in the Coeur d’Alene Commerce Park.

Post Falls manufacturer snags Air Force contract

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

ATC Manufacturing Inc. will seek to prove that thermoplastic composite components can be scaled up in size for aerospace and defense uses after being awarded a $7 million contract by the Air Force Research Laboratory in March.

Servatron to shutter Valley site, consolidate out of state

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Spokane Valley-based electronics manufacturer Servatron Inc. will shut down its Spokane Valley operations at the end of the year.

2026 Large Business of the Year Winner: Jubilant HollisterStier LLC

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Pharmaceutical contract manufacturer Jubilant HollisterStier LLC has been named the winner of the Large Business of the Year category in the Journal's 2026 Inland Northwest Business of the Year Awards.

Servatron to close at end of year

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 09:54:15 -0400

Spokane Valley-based electronics manufacturer Servatron Inc. will shut down at the end of the year, according to a statement from its U.K.-based parent company, Volex PLC.

Valley foundry files Chapter 11

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0500

Spokane Valley-based foundry Spokane Industries LLC has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, citing equipment failures, rising material costs, a structural facility collapse, and more than $1 million in employee embezzlement as factors that strained the company’s finances, according to court records filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Washington.

McKinstry expands Spokane footprint

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0500

Seattle-based contractor and energy-efficient systems manufacturer McKinstry Co. is planning a second prefabrication building on the West Plains that’s expected to double the company’s fabrication capacity in Spokane County.

Selkirk Sport receives $30M equity investment

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0500

Selkirk Sport LLC, a North Idaho manufacturer of pickleball paddles and accessories, has received a $30 million investment from Bluestone Equity Partners, intended to transform Selkirk from a domestic pickleball leader into a global sports brand, says co-founder and co-CEO Mike Barnes.

Jubilant to expand campus with $18.5M allergens facility

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500

Spokane-based pharmaceutical manufacturing and packaging company Jubilant HollisterStier LLC plans to expand its campus footprint with the addition of a new $18.5 million building to relocate the company’s Allergens Processing Business Unit.

Catching up with Patrick McHail, AAMMC Tech Hub director

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500

Last month, the American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center Tech Hub reapplied for federal funding through the U.S. Department of Commerce, seeking $39 million that would help establish a national test bed for next-generation aerospace prototypes in Spokane.

Aerospace, green energy drive manufacturing activity

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0500

After a year marked by stalled projects and softening job numbers, Spokane’s manufacturing sector is poised to enter 2026 on firmer footing. Industry experts describe a manufacturing landscape that is stabilizing and quietly expanding, even as automation, global market pressures, and federal funding cuts impact the way companies grow.

Manufacturers invest in INW

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0500

At least $577 million in Spokane County manufacturing facility investments, developments, and expansions are planned, underway, or have wrapped up since July by major regional employers including Kaiser Aluminum Corp., Jubilant HollisterStier LLC, and Solstice Advanced Materials Inc.

Spokane Valley Tech fills manufacturing labor gaps

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0500

Spokane Valley Tech and Skills Center high school has emerged as a steady source of talent for Spokane manufacturers by providing hands-on training and exposure to career and employment opportunities in the Inland Northwest.

Honeywell plant now part of spin-off company

tinas@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 03:00:00 -0500

The Honeywell Electronic Materials Inc. plant in Spokane Valley, at 15128 E. Euclid, is now a Solstice Advanced Materials Inc. (Nasdaq: SOLS) facility following the completed spin-off of Honeywell International Inc.'s (Nasdaq: HON) advanced materials business.

Spokane Valley Coca-Cola plant opens after expansion

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 03:00:00 -0500

Draper, Utah-based Swire Pacific Holdings Inc., which does business as Swire Coca-Cola USA, opened its newly expanded sales and distribution facility in Spokane Valley on Oct. 28.

Kaiser completes $25M expansion at Trentwood

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 03:00:00 -0500

After a pause during the pandemic, Kaiser Aluminum Corp. is rolling forward again, finishing a $25 million expansion to its Trentwood rolling mill, the latest phase in the company’s long-term investments that have infused $415 million into the Spokane Valley plant over the past two decades.

Mercer Mass Timber to expand with $30M investment

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 03:00:00 -0400

A state investment aimed at adding and retaining high-value manufacturing jobs complements a $30 million private investment for an expansion at Mercer Mass Timber LLC in Spokane Valley, a move local leaders say will anchor the company’s future in the region and strengthen Washington state’s manufacturing industry.

Jubilant HollisterStier reaches milestone in expansion project

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 15:14:24 -0400

Jubilant HollisterStier LLC’s third sterile fill-finish line at its Spokane facility is now beginning commercial production, the pharmaceutical contract manufacturer announced last week.

Manufacturing Suppliers Expo scheduled this month

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 03:00:00 -0400

Manufacturers and manufacturing-related organizations will soon gather for the second annual Manufacturing Suppliers Expo, which will be held Oct. 20-21 at the Mirabeau Park Hotel & Convention Center, at 1100 N. Sullivan Road, in Spokane Valley.

XCraft Enterprises lands $1M Best Buy order

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0400

When Best Buy Co., Inc. approached JD Claridge to ask if his company, XCraft Enterprises Inc., could potentially step in as the retailer phased out Chinese-made drones, Claridge seized the opportunity, landing a $1 million purchase order that could put the Hayden-based manufacturer on the national stage.

StopBox USA reloads with new Valley showroom

tinas@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 05:37:12 -0400

Despite selling close to half a million nonelectric handgun retention devices in the last year, many StopBox USA LLC customers are only now discovering the company operates in Spokane Valley.

Honeywell proposes expansion at Valley plant

tinas@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 05:34:25 -0400

Honeywell Electronic Materials Inc. is planning an expansion at its Spokane Valley-based plant, located at 15128 E. Euclid.

Wassoc sinks into Spokane

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 05:30:32 -0400

The sea may be hundreds of miles away, but inside a West Plains warehouse, marine technology company Williamson & Associates Technologies Inc. is quietly building the future of subsea science.