Gregoire tours German Airbus plant as state seeks diverse industrial base

Published 12:01 am Saturday, June 25, 2011

OLYMPIA — Gov. Chris Gregoire traveled with some of Washington’s aerospace executives Friday to tour an Airbus facility in Germany, saying Boeing’s chief rival should work with state suppliers on future planes.

The stop at Airbus came at the end of Gregoire’s eight-day trade mission, which c

entered largely around her trip to the Paris Air Show. She served as somewhat of a cheerleader for Boeing at that event, saying earlier in the week that she made clear to Airbus executives she was rooting for her “home team” — one of her state’s largest employers.

But Gregoire’s stop at Airbus illustrated how Washington isn’t gambling entirely on Boeing, which trailed far behind Airbus in air show orders and is working on opening a new 787 passenger aircraft assembly line in South Carolina.

“Washington state is home to an incredibly diverse aerospace supply chain that serves plane manufacturers around the world,” Gregoire said in a statement. “I’m doing everything I can to ensure these supply companies are successful and expand to create new jobs for Washingtonians.”

Airbus already uses some of Washington’s hundreds of aerospace suppliers, which build tires, seats, screws and more. The France-based company has secured about $72 billion worth of orders and commitments at the air show — three times as much as Boeing.

Meanwhile, the National Labor Relations Board claims that Chicago-based Boeing Co. decided to build its South Carolina line to retaliate against union workers in Washington state who went on strike in 2008.

Also on Friday, Gregoire watched as leaders from the Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee sign a memorandum of understanding with Germany’s Capable Technologies to combine their training expertise. The agreement will strengthen AJAC’s training programs, which will help the organization recruit new business and expand current business in Washington state by supporting a highly skilled, specially trained workforce.

AJAC signed a second agreement with Lufthansa Technical Training. The agreement creates a partnership between the two companies to develop and deploy Electrical Apparatus Service Association certified training to Washington aerospace employees.

“The agreements signed today ensure Washington state maintains its competitive edge by offering aerospace companies a specially-trained workforce,” said Jesse Cote, AJAC chairman. “The agreements are also another innovative example of labor and management working together to enhance the aerospace industry in our communities.”

Gregoire’s trade trip included some 40 business meetings and a delegation of dozens. The mission is expected to cost the state about $40,000, according to the governor’s office, with Gregoire calling it a good investment.

Gregoire will return to Washington this weekend.