Hobart Machined Products

03/04/2025

01/14/2025

With Buzz Aldrin – I just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉

09/10/2024

This has been a whirlwind of a week. I awoke Sunday morning to the fantastic news that Boeing and its largest union, the IAM, had reached a tentative agreement on a new four-year contract. This was outstanding news for my small business Hobart Machined Products Inc. The union’s leader Jon Holden stated it was the best contract the IAM had negotiated in its history and encouraged the membership to vote in favor of the tentative agreement as a strike has no guarantees.

Then yesterday, after pushback from members who are likely uninformed or misinformed, he said he believes his members will vote to reject that contract and strike. A strike would be disastrous for my business, all of Boeing’s other small business suppliers across the state, and for our dedicated, hard-working employees.

I truly hope the IAM members will take the time to read the contract proposal carefully. It is full of exceptional elements that will improve their livelihoods and secure their futures. The proposal includes a 25% wage increase for every IAM member and an average wage increase of 33% as newer employees will see faster wage growth. It will provide very generous contributions to the IAM 401(k) of more than $4,000 per employee per year. It will lower health care costs and increase health care benefits. In short, it’s an incredible offer.

Finally, in a move all of us hoped for but none of us expected, Boeing committed to building its next new airplane here in the Puget Sound. That, combined with the fact that Boeing’s newly minted CEO Kelly Ortberg is living and working right here in Seattle is the best news we’ve had in twenty years.

How anyone could think this is not a good proposal is beyond me. How anyone could think that a strike will result in anything other than devastation for the company, its employees, its suppliers like my company and the state of Washington as a whole is ridiculous.

The members of the IAM should vote YES on this contract offer. and get ready to celebrate the best contract proposal in the union’s history.

03/19/2024

09/12/2023

We will never forget!

Today is a day that hits hard for all Americans. What started out as a beautiful and crystal-clear September morning twenty-two years ago saw a monumental tragedy that changed our Nation and our world forever. But it is important to remember that despite the anguish, pain and terror of the attacks, it was also a day of incalculable heroism, dedication and service to others. These are the stories that we need to remember as we look back on that fateful day.

05/21/2023

This issue of Aviation for Women magazine features a recap of the 34th Annual Women in Aviation International Conference, with pictures of our WAI members and attendees who have come from all over the world to celebrate our mission. You'll also find a guide for planning summer flying, and learn how to cope with injustice and hardships. With a nod to WAI Pioneer Hall of Fame inductee, Emily Howell Warner, read about her tribute during Women's History Month.

Click here to read Aviation for Women May/June 2023, https://lsc-pagepro.mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?i=789404.

05/21/2023

Our new summer and fall schedules have just been posted. We even have an evening lab during our Tooling Mechanic class from June 26-September 7 (labs begin July 21). It's exciting news for those who like to plan ahead and are considering our hybrid, fast-track aerospace manufacturing training programs. Get started on your new career path: watrcenter.edmonds.edu/programs/class-schedule.html

01/17/2023

30 years ago, Endeavour, the last space shuttle built, launched. Onboard was Susan Helms, the first U.S. military woman officer to fly in space – an historic achievement! The anniversary reminds also us to keep pressing on with a renewed commitment to American human spaceflight.

01/17/2023

We had a blast hosting BBC's Spencer Kelly at our rocket test and production site last week. Our Director of Propulsion, Brigette Oakes, even pulled out her lucky hot fire shoes. Stay tuned for the piece on BBC Click.

01/17/2023

We made it! 🎉 We are so proud to have been named not one, not two, but EIGHT times 🏆 in the Places to Work and Best Large Places to Work in the U.S.! Cheers to our incredible team; we couldn't have done it without you.

Check our Built In Best Large Place to Work rankings for...
📍 Los Angeles: https://builtin.com/awards/los-angeles/2023/best-large-places-to-work -aerospace-corporation
📍 Colorado: https://builtin.com/awards/colorado/2023/best-large-places-to-work -aerospace-corporation
📍 Houston: https://builtin.com/awards/houston/2023/best-large-places-to-work -aerospace-corporation
📍 Washington DC: https://builtin.com/awards/washington-dc/2023/best-large-places-to-work -aerospace-corporation