Wagstaff Partners with East Valley School District
to Launch Knight Manufacturing
East Valley School District adds Knight Manufacturing course to their Career
and Technical Education curriculum - Effective September 3, 2024
Spokane Valley, Washington— September 10, 2024 — On September 3, 2024, a partnership between Wagstaff, Inc. and the East Valley School District’s (EVSD) faculty and students added a new class to East Valley High School’s (EVHS) Career and Technical Education (CTE) curriculum. The course, named Knight Manufacturing, is a student-run business that will sell products, receive purchase orders and provide training careers in the skilled trades. There are currently 16 students enrolled in the class under the tutelage of EVHS CTE instructor Justin Sinn.
How Knight Manufacturing Came to Be
Knight Manufacturing is the result of collaborative efforts between Dr. Wade M. Larson, Wagstaff’s Director of Workforce Development, and Doug Edmonson, the EVHS CTE Program Director. Inspired by the lessons learned from five years of operating the Production and Manufacturing Institute (PMI) for high school students in the Spokane area, Larson and Edmonson travelled together to review similar education models in other states and implemented the best practices they observed into Knight Manufacturing.
Dr. Larson also acknowledged EVSD Superintendent Brain Talbott for his commitment to this new course, and for his efforts that resulted in doubled enrollment in the EVHS CTE program in the past year. Talbott has also been instrumental in expanding PMI, and his efforts resulted in obtaining a $200,000 grant to update the shop classrooms and facilities at EVHS. His support makes a dramatic difference in fostering the strategic partnership between local business and education.
A Glimpse Into the Knight Manufacturing Syllabus
Knight Manufacturing’s first classroom group is operating under a business plan that models a start-up funded by an investor. Students will immediately begin learning business operations, gaining new skills, and identifying products to design and manufacture. They will also design sales systems and create point-of-sale processes that will allow them to begin taking orders from real customers. As the students establish their initial plan and gain on-the-job knowledge, they will lay the foundation for future Knight Manufacturing students and educators.
Knight Manufacturing Would Not Have Been Possible Without Generous Sponsors
Wagstaff and the East Valley School District would like to thank their partners who helped make Knight Manufacturing a reality. PMI sponsors such as MacKay Manufacturing, Pearson Packaging Systems, Collins Aerospace, Career Connect Washington, and the Spokane Workforce Council established a solid foundation for this class. Other sponsors including Kaiser Aluminum, BECU, The Machinists Institute, the Krumble Foundation, the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce, and Parker Hannifin have supported key components of this educational program. HOTSTART, Sonderen Packaging, NIMA, and KXLY TV have helped support the overall costs associated Knight Manufacturing and other learning opportunities. Support from Advanced Thermoplastic Composites, Inc, Idaho Central Credit Union, ALTEK, Merkle Standard, ControlFreek Inc., and the Pacific Northwest Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors has been instrumental in assisting this educational mission. Community Colleges of Spokane, North Idaho College, and NEWESD 101 (NorthEast Washington Educational Service District 101) have provided educational partnerships and are major supporters of this and other career pathways.
For More Information, Please Contact:
Wade Larson
Phone: 707.290.9121
Email: wade.larson@wagstaff.com
Wagstaff Announces CEO Transition
Kevin Person announces retirement; Steve Anderson appointed Chief Executive Officer, Jack White promoted to Vice President of Sales and Marketing - Effective April 1, 2024
Spokane Valley, Washington — March 15, 2024 - Wagstaff Inc.’s Board of Directors has announced that Kevin Person, current Chief Executive Officer will retire effective March 29, 2024. Person has served as the company’s CEO for the past 13 years. Steve Anderson, Wagstaff’s current Vice President of Sales and Marketing will succeed Person in the role. Anderson has been with the company since 1995.
Person’s contributions to Wagstaff and the Spokane area light metal industry
Kevin Person’s name has been synonymous with aluminum production in Spokane for almost a half century. Prior to joining Wagstaff he was with Kaiser Aluminum for 21 years. During his 25 years at Wagstaff, Person has also held the titles of Vice President of Sales and Marketing and Application Engineering Manager. Person’s leadership tenure has included record sales and revenue and significant expansion to Wagstaff’s Spokane campus, all while deftly navigating the serious challenges posed by the 2008-2009 global financial crisis and the COVID pandemic. Person also assisted in expanding the scope of Wagstaff’s business from direct chill casting to the nuclear industry. We sincerely thank Kevin for the years of outstanding leadership, counsel and stewardship and the excellent value he brought to Wagstaff. We wish nothing but the very best for Kevin as he begins his well-deserved retirement.
Anderson begins third decade with Wagstaff as CEO
Having earned degrees from Washington State University in both Electrical Engineering and Business Management, Steve Anderson arrived at Wagstaff in 1995. Anderson has held many engineering positions with Wagstaff across several departments (Research and Development, Automated Services Group, Applications), and honed his management acumen by serving as ASG Engineering Manager, R&D Automation Manager, and Director of Engineering. In 2016 Anderson was promoted to his current role of Vice President of Sales and Marketing.
Steve’s breadth of education and work experience have provided him the opportunity to not only develop his leadership skills, but additionally to see and understand the organization from numerous internal perspectives. We look forward to Steve applying those strengths and abilities to his new role and look forward to continued success for Wagstaff under his leadership.
White continues Wagstaff career with promotion to VP of Sales and Marketing
After serving as Wagstaff’s Applications Engineering manager for the past 16 years and performing a dual role as the Area Sales Manager – Western United States for the past four years, Jack White has accepted the opportunity to become the company’s next Vice President of Sales and Marketing. White, who holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from West Virginia University also has 39 years of experience in the aluminum industry to draw on in his new role.
During Jack’s time with Wagstaff he has travelled literally millions of miles around the globe evaluating countless casting pits with the goal of incorporating Wagstaff casting solutions into those facilities.This deep understanding of our customers and their needs are a resource that will strongly inform the decisions he makes as he leads the Wagstaff Aluminum Sales Group in the coming years.
Media Contact:
Meng Yu
Wagstaff, Inc.
Phone: 509-891-8058
Email: meng.yu@wagstaff.com
Wagstaff Named Finalist for AWB Manufacturing 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.