Our program on April 21 was a presentation by Derick Baisa, the CEO, on one of our local aerospace manufacturers, Absolute Manufacturing, a division of Senior Aerospace.

Senior Aerospace Absolute Manufacturing founded in 1996 specializes in complex machining solutions in a production and non-production environment utilizing the latest in machine tool technologies and lean practices.  It was purchased in part from one of our previous members--John Middleton.

 

Senior buys companies and as long as it produces it keeps its autonomy. Its location at the Jensen Business park on 204th (west of the closed Hagens), is next to AMT, another Senior Aerospace business.  AMT deals more directly with the airplane manufacturers, e.g. Boeing, while Absolute sells to suppliers of materials for the industry, tiers 2 or 3.

 

Absolute Manufacturing is a high quality production and proto-type precision manufacturer with offerings that include electrical/mechanical assembly, kitting, VMI, Kan-ban replenishment, point of use delivery, and design for manufacture engineering. It does complex lathing up to 8 axis.

 

The company operates in three buildings totaling 35,000 sq. ft. with a work force of about 100.  40% of the group's work is aerospace related, including lasers and defense work.

 

Seeing the need for suitable employees, the company has used it resources to advise the AMTEC and Mechtronics programs at EvCC.  Its human resources manager is on the advisor committee.  It has also advised AJAC and the Arlington School District with manufacturing training programs.  The Boys and Girls Clubs have also started a STEM program and Absolute has helped including career fairs.

 

Derick estimated that 40% of high school graduates will not look for a advance degree and the machining industry is an area where there are good paying jobs for such individuals. If individuals have math skills and good work ethic, e.g. showing up on time, employers will do the training.

 

Absolute is proud of its community involvement.  Its United Way campaign has grown from 44% participation to 84%.  Derek is on the board of United Way which has dedicated itself to ending the cycle of poverty.  It will be providing participants in Friday's poverty workshop simulation at a location in Smokey Pt.  For United Way's Day of Caring, employees of Absolute had a work party at the Darrington Community Center.