AWB Manufacturing Week Bus Tour Highlights Filson and Boeing
The Association of Washington Business' Manufacturing Week bus tour continued its second day with visits to Filson and Boeing's 737 production line in Everett.
Filson, one of Seattle's oldest continuously operating manufacturers, was founded in 1897 and has been outfitting prospectors headed north for the Klondike Gold Rush in Alaska ever since. Today, it continues to manufacture outdoor apparel, including its iconic Mackinaw plaid wool jacket, from its factory and flagship store in downtown Seattle's SODO district.
Filson's factory manager, Jared Danioth, praised the talent and skill of the 22 manufacturing employees who work there. He noted that Filson is 'the opposite of fast fashion; we want our items to last as long as possible.' The company also runs a full-service repair department, handling an estimated 5,000-6,000 repairs a year.
Prior to its visit to Filson, the AWB tour included a stop at Boeing's new 737 North Line. The airplane sits in the world's largest building by volume, covering 98 acres with a network of cranes capable of moving airplanes during final assembly.