Wagstaff Named Finalist for AWB Manufactring Excellence Awards
Spokane Valley, WA - August 7, 2023
Wagstaff, Inc., a leader in the aluminum manufacturing industry, is thrilled to announce its selection as a finalist for the AWB Manufacturing Excellence Awards. This recognition is a testament to the company's commitment to innovation, quality, and exceptional manufacturing practices.
"We are truly honored to be selected as a finalist for the AWB Manufacturing Excellence Awards," said Wade Larson, Director of Workforce Development at Wagstaff, Inc. "This achievement reflects the hard work, passion, and ingenuity of our entire team. At Wagstaff, we have always believed in pushing the boundaries of what is possible in manufacturing, and this recognition is a testament to that commitment."
Save the Date:
The winners of the AWB Washington Excellence Awards and Manufacturing Excellence Awards will be officially announced at the Evening of Excellence event on November 16, 2023 at 5:00 pm. The event will take place at the magnificent Fairmont Olympic Hotel in Seattle, Washington.
Wagstaff, Inc. extends its heartfelt gratitude to the AWB Manufacturing Excellence Awards for this distinguished recognition and looks forward to continuing its mission of setting new benchmarks in manufacturing excellence.
About Wagstaff, Inc.:
Wagstaff, Inc. is a market leader in the manufacturing and distribution of Direct Chill Casting Systems to the global aluminum industry. By offering state-of-the-art research and development, engineering, technical and customer support in billet and ingot casting systems, automation and machinery, Wagstaff is in a unique position to be able to tailor technology to fit most any aluminum casthouse application. A family-owned company for over 77 years, Wagstaff is a USA based manufacturer with locations in Spokane, WA and Hebron, KY, and has supplied thousands of custom systems to aluminum producers in 59 countries. For more information, visit www.wagstaff.com.
Media Contact:
Meng Yu
Wagstaff, Inc.
Phone: 509-891-8058
Email: meng.yu@wagstaff.com
Production and Manufacturing Institute (PMI) Celebrates Remarkable Graduation Success in 2023
Spokane Valley, WA - July 31, 2023
The annual Production and Manufacturing Institute (PMI) concluded with a successful graduation ceremony at East Valley High School on July 28. Over the course of three weeks, students participated in an interactive trades immersion experience, engaging with local area manufacturers to gain valuable insights into various trades and explore potential future career paths.
Established in 2019, the Production and Manufacturing Academy (PMA) was specifically designed to offer upperclassmen in high school the opportunity to delve into careers in engineering, welding, machining, design, and more. Since its inception the academy has shown remarkable growth, with this year’s graduates nearly doubling the number of graduates from the previous year. The initiative is led by prominent manufacturing companies such as Wagstaff, Inc., Mackay Manufacturing, Pearson Packaging Systems, and Career Connect Washington, as well as educational institutions. Together, they have united their efforts to develop the next generation of skilled workers.
With the Academy evolving into the Production and Manufacturing Institute (PMI) this year, it signifies the institution's continuous growth and commitment to offering a comprehensive platform for students to explore and excel in the field of production and manufacturing. Throughout the program, the sponsors actively mentor the students in various aspects of the manufacturing world, ranging from business planning to production, sales, and marketing. The manufacturing institute's dedication to fostering a practical understanding of the industry has attracted students from across the Greater Spokane area, just as it did last year.
This year's apprentices have successfully completed the following products, and their sales have directly contributed to supporting the program:
Outdoor Wooden Bench – hand-crafted wooden bench.
All Purpose Step-Stool – wooden and durable step-stool.
Collapsible Firepit – a 24” wide firepit that is heat protected up to 1200°F.
Handcrafted Birdhouse – redwood, natural, metal or walnut roofed birdhouse.
Handcrafted Hardwood Chessboard – play chess or checkers on this beautiful oak and walnut board.
Decorative Shelf, Shoe Rack, or Organizer – can be used for many display or storage solutions.
Travel Cribbage Board – handcrafted cribbage board with storage for playing cards and pegs.
Oak & Walnut Cutting Board – coated with a protective coat of mineral oil.
VibraPlanter – display your favorite plant in your backyard or patio with this container.
Wilderness Escape Campfire Firepit – metal pit that’s great for smores, hot dogs and longer-lasting fires.
Edge Grain Butcher Block – prepare vegetables, meats and dough on this cutting block.
Pandora’s Box – a decorative hardwood box with a dice tray lid.
Metallic Outdoor Firepit – a thermochromic treated pit with cutouts for optimal airflow.
At the graduation ceremony, each student group showcased their products and shared their valuable learning experiences. It was commendable to witness every graduate completing the entire training with perfect attendance, resulting in well-deserved recognition through the award of a certificate and a monetary stipend.
For information on the Academy and the Manufacturing Consortium, go to https://www.theproductionacademy.net/.
Gold, Platinum and Anchor Sponsors:
Wagstaff, Inc.
Mackay Manufacturing
Pearson Packaging
Career Connect Washington
Silver Sponsors:
Kaiser Aluminum
Machinists Institute
Collins Aerospace
Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce
Max Spalding
Optimal Talent Dynamics
Bronze Sponsors:
Hotstart
INWAC
Advanced Input Systems
Sonderen Packaging
The Krumble Foundation
Community Colleges of Spokane
KXLY
Copper Sponsors:
Idaho Central Credit Union
Altek Industries
Merkle Standard
Control Freek
Associated Builders & Contractors (Inland Pacific Chapter)
J.A. Sewell & Associates
Media Contact:
Meng Yu
Wagstaff, Inc.
Phone: 509-891-8058
Email: meng.yu@wagstaff.com
Wagstaff Names Fadi Awadhalla as Area Sales Manager
SPOKANE VALLEY, WASHINGTON, USA – March 29, 2023 – Wagstaff, Inc. is proud to announce and welcome Fadi Awadhalla as an Area Sales Manager. Mr. Awadhalla will be collaborating with Wagstaff’s current Area Sales Manager, Mr. Mick O’Grady, in serving the Arabian Peninsula and other select markets.
Mr. Awadhalla joins Wagstaff after 27 years of aluminum industry service with DUBAL and Emirates Global Aluminum (EGA). He began his career at DUBAL as a Project Engineer in 1995 and served in many roles over the years as his technical expertise, practical experience, leadership and overall professional standing grew in the worldwide aluminum industry. Most recently Fadi served as Vice President, Casthouse for EGA where he was responsible for all aspects of the casthouses, including:
• Strategic planning in setting production objectives in conjunction with Sales and Marketing.
• Managing potline metal supply to achieve casthouse production goals.
• Ensuring cast products met the stringent and complex requirements of EGA’s worldwide customer base.
• Benchmarking OEMs, equipment, overall processes and material flow to make certain their casthouse products met the highest industry standards.
• Formulating and reviewing capex projects to guarantee their adherence to overall company strategy.
In addition to his extensive professional experience, Mr. Awadhalla earned a BA in Mechanical Engineering from UAE University in 1995, an MBA from Wollongong University, Dubai, UAE in 2006, and graduated from the INSEAD Executive Programme in Abu Dhabi/Dubai, UAE in 2013.
Wagstaff is very pleased that Mr. Awadhalla will be applying his experience and industry knowledge to Wagstaff’s ongoing goal: to provide casting equipment and services that deliver the highest possible value proposition to the global aluminum industry.
PRODUCTION AND MANUFACTURING ACADEMY 2022 CELEBRATES THE CLASS GRADUATION
SPOKANE VALLEY, WASHINGTON, USA – July 28, 2022
Thirty-three high local school students will graduate from the Production and Manufacturing Academy this Friday after spending three weeks in this interactive trades immersion experience. The students spent time with local area manufacturers with a goal of gaining an understanding of the trades and to explore potential future careers. The graduation ceremony will take place at 1 p.m., Friday, July 29 at East Valley High School.
The Production and Manufacturing Academy (PMA) was founded in 2019 to provide an opportunity for high school upperclassmen to explore careers in engineering, welding, machining, design and more. Started with a small manufacturing consortium, the academy has doubled in size in three years of operation. Lead by Wagstaff, Inc., Pearson Packaging Systems, Hanson Industries, Inc., Mackay Manufacturing, Kaiser Aluminum, and Idaho Central Credit Union, the academy consists of manufacturing and education entities that joined forces to actively address the ongoing shortage of skilled trade workers. The shared goal of each PMA sponsor was to coach the students in business planning, production, sales and marketing in the manufacturing world. In an effort to reach more students, this year the Academy was expanded to multiple locations.
The students will be selling their finished products at the sponsor companies’ facilities and on the Academy’s website. The products completed by the apprentices include the following:
Heirloom Chest - hand-crafted wooden storage chest.
Step 'n Sit Stool - solid easy-to-use folding step-stool.
Hole in One - a perfect cross between corn-hole and marble toss games.
Limited Edition Artisan Birdhouse - uniquely styled birdhouse.
Portable Checkerboard - handmade rustic gameboard.
The Griz Box - rustic, custom engraved decorative box.
Charcuterie Cutting Board - custom made with maple and cherry wood.
Standard Cutting Board - a smaller size version of the charcuterie board.
Students will also make presentations on their experiences at the graduation ceremony. Each student that completes the entirety of the training with perfect attendance will be awarded a certficate and a monetary stipend. The students will also be able to apply for scholarships that are funded by the PMA sponsors.
For information on the Academy and the Manufacturing Consortium, go to https://www.theproductionacademy.net/.
Premier Partners:
Wagstaff, Inc.
Pearson Packaging
Mackay Manufacturing
Hanson Industries, Inc.
Kaiser Aluminum
Idaho Central Credit Union
Machinists Institute
Anchor Partners:
Hotstart
Career Connect Washington
Greater Spokane, Inc.
Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce
KXLY
Academy Supporters & Community Partners
East Valley School District
West Valley School District
Newport High School, Newport WA
Kootenai Technical Education Campus
Cheney High School
Merkle Standard
Northwest Steel Fab Inc.
Unicep
Community Colleges of Spokane
Spokane Workforce Council
Altek Industries
Hawk Ridge Systems
Central Valley School District
Stimson Lumber
Media Contact:
Meng Yu
Wagstaff, Inc.
Phone: 509-891-8058
Email: meng.yu@wagstaff.com
Third Annual Production and Manufacturing Academy
SPOKANE VALLEY, WASHINGTON, USA – July 18, 2022
Wagstaff, Inc. and several local businesses and entities are welcoming 35 local high school students to a three-week interactive trades immersion experience starting Monday, July 11. During their training, the students will experience a real-world product cycle from start to finish, and gain experience to the inner workings of the trades. The academy will conclude with a graduation ceremony at the end of July.
The Production and Manufacturing Academy (PMA) was founded in 2019 to provide an opportunity for high school upperclassmen to explore careers in engineering, welding, machining, design and more. Started with a small manufacturing consortium, the academy has doubled in size in three years of operation. Lead by Wagstaff, Inc., Pearson Packaging Systems, Hanson Industries, Inc., Mackay Manufacturing, Kaiser Aluminum, and Idaho Central Credit Union, the academy consists of manufacturing and education entities that joined forces to actively address the ongoing shortage of skilled trade workers. The shared goal of each PMA sponsor was to coach the students in business planning, production, sales and marketing in the manufacturing world.
During the academy, students will be grouped into teams that design, create, manufacture and sell specific products. Students will experience every step of the manufacturing process, receive exclusive tours of several facilities, gain an understanding of the manufacturing world, and explore potential future careers. Students will also have the opportunity to job shadow with engineers, welders, designers, and other various professionals.
The student teams will make presentations on their products and experiences during their upcoming graduation ceremony. Each student that completes the entirety of the training with perfect attendance will be awarded a certficate and a monetary stipend. The students will also be able to apply for scholarships that are funded by the PMA sponsors.
For more information on the academy, go to https://www.wagstaff.com/Wagstaff/Careers.htm or https://www.theproductionacademy.net/. The following businesses and community partners are participating in this year’s PMA.
Premier Partners:
Wagstaff, Inc.
Pearson Packaging
Mackay Manufacturing
Hanson Industries
Kaiser Aluminum
Idaho Central Credit Union
Machinists Institute
Anchor Partners:
Hotstart
Career Connect Washington
Greater Spokane, Inc.
Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce
KXLY
Academy Supporters & Community Partners:
East Valley School District
West Valley School District
Newport High School, Newport WA
Kootenai Technical Education Campus (KTEC)
Cheney High School
Merkle Standard
Northwest Steel Fab Inc.
Unicep
Community Colleges of Spokane
Spokane Workforce Council
Altek Industries
Hawk Ridge Systems
Central Valley School District
Stimson Lumber
Media Contact
Meng Yu
Wagstaff, Inc.
meng.yu@wagstaff.com
509.891.8058