Technology

Catching up with: Vestis Manufacturing Inc.

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 08 Oct 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Thirteen years ago, Vestis Manufacturing Inc. was a five-person operation producing and installing fabric awnings for homes and businesses within 100 miles of Spokane. Today, Vestis focuses on manufacturing aluminum canopies, louvered sunshades, and bolt-on balconies for commercial clients, shipping its products throughout the U.S. and Canada.

McKinstry Co. launches 'Building What Matters'

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 08 Oct 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Contractor and energy-efficiency systems manufacturer McKinstry Co. has launched a new podcast, “Building What Matters,” featuring conversations with leaders who decide how schools, hospitals, and major infrastructure projects are built in communities across the Pacific Northwest.

Backup networks safeguard beverage supply lines

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Beverage distribution is a logistics business. Orders come in, inventory is tracked, routes are planned, deliveries are coordinated, and customers and employees need to stay in communication throughout the process. Much of that work now depends on an internet connection.

Immersive Studio CDA opens in Coeur d'Alene

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 03:00:00 -0400

A new visualization and creative experience space designed as a resource for builders, architects, homebuyers, and other creators now is open in downtown Coeur d’Alene.

Manufacturer invests $150M in Post Falls

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Inc. is investing $150 million in a Post Falls manufacturing facility to meet the company's high demand for power grid protection products.

Many INW businesses report AI integration issues

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Some Inland Northwest companies are facing security concerns and public perception issues as they integrate artificial intelligence tools into their operations. A new program at Gonzaga University, however, could help businesses address some of those challenges.

Powering the Inland Northwest

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Spokane-based Novara Energy Alliance is preparing to host its inaugural Novara Energy Summit 2026, where innovators, researchers, and leaders will convene to identify the most pressing energy challenges facing the Inland Northwest.

Spokane sees spate of summer acquisitions

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Primarily driven by outside capital and nationwide corporate interest, a wave of business acquisitions and early-stage investments has swept through the Inland Northwest this summer. From Missouri and South Dakota to Georgia and Utah, out-of-town buyers and national firms are acquiring and investing in established Spokane-area companies across a variety of industries.

2026 Rising Stars: Kristopher Pockell

ericab@spokanejournal.com — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Kristopher Pockell is a software engineering manager at Liberty Lake-based OpenEye by day and the co-founder of Spokane Valley-based Elixir Sauce Co. by night.

Federal funding triples in Spokane to $23M

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Spokane-area companies are capturing substantially more federal research funding than they were 15 years ago.

Manufacturer begins facility expansion

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

ATC Manufacturing Inc. is nearly doubling its 67,000-square-foot headquarters and manufacturing facility at 1224 N. Lean with a new 57,600-square-foot expansion project.

2026 Rising Stars: Andrew Hite

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

As CEO of CDL PowerSuite LLC, Andrew Hite sets the pace for the Spokane Valley-based company by defining business goals, establishing initiatives, and creating a supportive team environment.

Hotstart completes Valley facility renovations

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Hotstart Inc. is making parts for engine block heating systems out of its 90,000-square-foot facility at 6715 E. Mission, where the Spokane Valley-based manufacturer has just completed a $1.1 million renovation project.

Four INW companies make Inc. 5000 list

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Four Inland Northwest-based businesses have made Inc. business magazine’s annual list of the 5,000 fastest growing companies in the country.

Solar work rises ahead of tax credit deadlines

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Solar and renewable energy system installations on commercial buildings in Spokane have increased since the One Big Beautiful Bill Act was passed in 2025, as building owners and businesses hurry to perform planned projects before a clean energy tax credit ends.

INW manufacturers build regional supply chains

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Inland Northwest manufacturers are positioning the region as a hub for emerging technologies as they pursue opportunities in nuclear energy, clean energy, and photonics.

LaunchPad INW nabs bioscience ecosystem grant

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

LaunchPad Inland Northwest Foundation has secured a $100,000 grant as it expands its InnovateINW initiative to include partnerships, an AI & Cyber Network, and programming aimed at helping businesses adapt to artificial intelligence.

Universities support AI-powered automation

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Some Inland Northwest-based manufacturers are starting to experiment with artificial intelligence to combat an ongoing skilled worker shortage and to improve operational efficiency.

Power moves: Commercial energy-saving strategies

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Complying with Washington state's Clean Buildings Act can prove costly for building owners, but there are some low-cost solutions that can help them save money and avoid fees, according to some energy efficiency experts here.

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.

The attribution trap: Why your marketing metrics are stunting growth

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

For many small business owners, the pursuit of the perfect marketing metric has become a double-edged sword. Often, small businesses only focus on attribution, and it’s ruining their marketing efforts.

AI frenzy fuels rise in venture capital activity

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

A surge in artificial intelligence investment is reshaping the venture capital landscape, driving record valuations and deal sizes while creating new challenges for startups that aren't centered on AI technology.

Kootenai Health debuts new surgical robot

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Kootenai Health has added one of the most advanced robotic-assisted surgical platforms available today to its main campus in Coeur d'Alene as part of a strategy to expand specialized care and invest in emerging medical technologies.

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.

Valley biotech launches probiotic odor spray

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

Integrated Lipid Biofuels LLC, a biotech and sustainability company based in Spokane Valley, has developed and launched its first consumer product and is preparing a Kickstarter campaign to support its initial market rollout.

Cybersecurity program expands in scope at EWU

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

The cybersecurity industry is experiencing significant growth as one of the fastest-expanding fields on a regional, national, and international level.

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.

Failed sale clouds startup's future

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

In early January, Liberty Lake-based Vega Cloud Inc., a software company that helps organizations manage their cloud spending, was in the late stages of a strategic sale that ultimately failed, leading the company to a workforce stoppage, followed by a petition to place it into receivership, court records filed with the King County Superior Court indicate.