Exploring our Industrial Heritage – Seattle (Part II)
Logging and fishing are still solid industries in the Seattle area. For example the fishing industry still holds a presence with fishing vessels moored along its main port, the Port of Seattle. Additionally, Seattle holds a scattering of fish canning and processing operations too. Logging is present outside of Seattle itself. Semi’s carrying large logs are a common site. As are the ever-noticeable stump fields that were previously harvested for their rich timber. It’s a sobering reminder of our unfortunate need to harvest old growth forests to support our demand for wood products and housing. Although the state of Washington does a good job of managing and balancing the harvesting and the environment, the depletion of our natural resources is a harsh reality that will end someday, and not in a good way.
Tourism is an obvious and thriving industry in Seattle and Seattle caters well to it. The city is interesting, relatively clean and easy to tour via walking, biking, scootering, car or cab. I myself had fun doing the normal touristy things like taking a boat tour, riding a scooter, visiting Pikes Place Market, seeing the boat houses, touring the underground city, visiting multiple water frontages and just walking around.
The next obvious industry, beyond tourism is the operation of the thriving Port of Seattle. It’s clear many of our nation’s imports arrive there. Many massive STS or quay cranes line the port and are used to unload shipping containers from large cargo ships. This port is very busy. Unfortunately, however, a buildup of containers along the east bank of the port are a tell-tale sign that the port is importing many more goods from overseas then they are exporting. Regardless though, the Port of Seattle is a very large port and an impressive one to see up close.
Seattle is a business hub with a strong manufacturing sector. We all know that Amazon is the king of business in the Seattle area and it ranks number two on the Fortune 500 list. There are also Starbucks, Google and Microsoft that are large area employers and Boeing too despite its recent quality woes. These are just a few of the biggies, but there are also many smaller manufacturers in the area of Seattle.
I visited one of these factories. This plant produced some critical electronic components for Boeing. What stood out to me at this plant was the quality of their workforce and their dedication to lean manufacturing. Every employee I met was sharp, energetic and had a nice bounce to their step. From the plant manager to the line worker. They were friendly and on task. This was also one of the most Lean plants I’ve seen. It was very organized and controlled as far as product flow goes. Visual controls were in place everywhere.
If cost is your primary product concern, I’m not sure Seattle is the place to manufacture. Labor costs are high there. But if quality trumps cost for you, then Seattle’s a great option to set-up shop.
Seattle’s been known as a city of boom or bust. After exploring our industrial heritage there, I can see why. Their industrial history and diversity are obvious and as each industry has ebbed-and-flowed over the decades, so has their economic success. Despite some recent hiring freezes, I would say that as long as we keep importing heavily and Amazon keeps doing Amazon things, then Seattle will continue to shine.
To keep exploring our industrial heritage, read these T4T articles:
Exploring Our Industrial Heritage: An Introduction
Exploring Our Industrial Heritage: Hoover Dam
Exploring Our Industrial Heritage: Oil Country
Exploring Our Industrial Heritage: Duluth MN
Exploring Our Industrial Heritage: Whiskey Country
Exploring Our Industrial Heritage: OKC
Exploring Our Industrial Heritage: The Illinois River Valley
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