By Timothy Temple / For The Herald
Aerospace in Washington. state is a $70 billion industry, supporting more than a quarter-million jobs. Suppliers and vendors throughout the state make up the largest aerospace supply chain in America.
With such a strong economic impact, it may be tempting to think we don’t need to worry about the more than 1,500 aerospace suppliers and their long-term business prospects. However, falling victim to that line of thinking would lead to disaster for Washington’s aerospace economy.
The aerospace industry has not been immune to the mass covid-19 shutdowns over the past several years. Labor shortages, soaring inflation costs and lack of materials are a few of the major issues facing aerospace suppliers in the United States. To strengthen our supply chain and give confidence to business owners to continue investing in their operations and employees, state and federal legislators need to prioritize policies encouraging economic growth and take a long-term approach to the security of our aerospace supply chain.
Dylan Aerospace, based in Renton, has been a dedicated aerospace supply company in Washington state since 1999. As the director of operations, I have closely watched previous market crashes and rallies. While not immune to the widespread challenges of the past four years, I’m proud to say that Dylan has been able to weather the economic turmoil thanks to our work on steady programs like the Boeing 767 and its military derivative, the KC-46 refueling tanker.
Dylan manufactures structural components, assemblies and kits for both commercial and defense aerospace companies. We also fabricate, machine, finish and integrate formed, close-tolerance aluminum and specialty alloy components and sheet metal products. We manufacture more than 5,000 products for integration into a variety of aircraft platforms, including for various aircraft models, including the commercial 767 and the KC-46 tanker. This partnership has enabled Dylan Aerospace to maintain jobs and workflow, as well as positively contribute to the state’s economy. And we’re not the only ones.
The KC-46 tanker program has more than 100 Washington-based supplier companies and supports approximately 10,000 manufacturing and aerospace jobs, creating an estimated $650 million in economic impact for the state. With so much on the line, it’s hard to imagine the economic disaster that would befall companies like mine if this program fell to the backburner for lawmakers and military leaders.
Each year, Congress comes together to discuss funding priorities. Not every program can make the cut, and tough decisions must be made. It’s critical for Washington’s aerospace supply chain that our representatives continue to advocate for programs such as the KC-46 to ensure we aren’t caught flat-footed should another economic crisis hit. Recreating from scratch the ecosystem we have here would be nearly impossible today. Ask other states.
The KC-46 is built in Everett by Washingtonians. It’s a pivot point of the U.S. aerial fleet, serving not only as a refueling tanker but also as an information hub. Its ability to share data among aircraft and with ground operations makes it an asset for current and future military engagements in the air, on land and at sea.
As part of its efforts to modernize the refueling tanker fleet, the Air Force is looking forward to the next-generation aerial refueling system, known as NGAS. In the interim, our leaders must continue to advocate for the KC-46 to ensure that our Washington-made tanker is the Air Force’s first choice for decades to come. Not only does it create a stable, healthy supply chain in our state and nationwide, but it also provides the most capabilities with the least amount of risk for the Air Force.
Covid-19 will not be the last disaster to hit supply chain. We must prepare for the inevitable ups and downs of the economy by investing in strong programs that prove their worth in good times and bad. Manufactured by Washington workers, the KC-46 is one such program and it deserves the support of our policymakers.
Tim Temple is the director of Operations for Dylan Aerospace, and has been with the company for 14 years.
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