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Posts tagged: Robin Toth

Texas challenge: If Boeing adds production, could it be in Spokane?

Nov. 1, 2011 12:48 p.m. • 0 comments

We should have noted, when posting earlier (Washington and Idaho both fall short...) that area economic development folks know full well that Washington has to compete hard for new businesses.

As the earlier post notes, Texas is the state to beat, and its busy recruiters have managed to convince many companies that they offer a plethora of advantages compared to other states, including tax breaks, land incentives, plus other benefits.

In Tuesday's paper, John Craig's story about the effort to land new business in Spokane County quoted Robin Toth, of Greater Spokane Inc., as saying the challenge of getting Boeing to base airliner production in Spokane will have to go through Texas:

“Spokane’s competition would include Washington cities that already have Boeing plants or possibly Grant County, which has a large runway and cheap electricity. So far, though, Project Pegasus members are focused on beating back other states, such as South Carolina or Texas.

Unencumbered by Washington’s constitutional prohibition on using public money for private gain, 'Texas will write a $50 million check to Boeing,' Toth said.”

Pyrotek will move those 20 jobs, from Mexico, into the Industrial Park

July 1, 2011 3 p.m. • 0 comments

Pyrotek Inc., which announced four weeks ago it will relocate 20 good-paying jobs from Mexico to Spokane Valley, has signed a lease on the building those workers will use.

The Spokane Valley company will lease 40,000 square feet of manufacturing space in the Spokane Business & Industrial Park.

Those jobs will be focused on the manufacture of high-end ceramic filters, according to a company spokesman.

Yes, companies do move jobs back from Mexico; Pyrotek relocates 20 skilled jobs

Posted by Tom

June 1, 2011 5:46 p.m. • 1 comment

A Spokane Valley metal manufacturer is reversing the flow of skilled jobs, bringing back 20 jobs from a Mexican factory to start a production line here.

Metal manufacturer Pyrotek Inc. is using about $75,000 in state assistance money to hire and train 20 area workers. It will also use another $75,000 in state money to relocate production equipment from Pyrotek’s plant in Apodaca, Mexico.

The company makes high-end metal and composite products for customers around the globe.

Company Finance Manager Michael Sekedat said the state support and the option of using the Valley site’s “technical and management expertise” helped in the decision.

The new production facility will make a large number of high-quality ceramic filters used by an industrial customer.

Once the equipment is installed and tested, production is expected to begin in August.

“We expect this to be a long-term project,” Sekedat said.

The 20 positions are considered skilled manufacturing jobs, said Robin Toth, vice president of business development of Greater Spokane Incorporated. The capital investment to open the new line will come to $1million in equipment and renovations, plus ongoing lease and utility costs.

While the state has kicked in cash for the relocation, Washington will eventually gain about $450,000 in tax revenue from the new project, according to data put together by GSI Greater Spokane.

A news release said the company considered Idaho, Pennsylvania and Tennessee before moving the work back to Spokane. Gov. Chris Gregoire also issued a release that credited the state Commerce Department and GSI Greater Spokane for helping Pyrotek move jobs back to Spokane Valley. Pyrotek has more than 60 facilities in 31 countries.

The production line will not be at the firm’s Spokane Valley headquarters, at 9503 E. Montgomery Ave. Company officials declined to say where that facility will be.

Hourly wages are expected to fall in the $18 to $25 range.

Job inquires should be directed to Brigitte Brazda, at Pyrotek's office on Montgomery in Spokane Valley.