05.29.12

Cantwell Applauds 20 Year Anniversary of Toray Composites in Pierce County

Cantwell: ‘Toray has Helped WA’s Aerospace Industry Stay One Step Ahead of the Competition’

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) released the following statement to applaud the anniversary of Toray Composites (America) Inc. start in Pierce County. In 1992 Toray opened up a facility in Frederickson to supply Boeing with carbon fiber composite materials for the 777. Today, Toray’s composites also supply the new 787 Dreamliner and the company has grown to employ more than 350 workers at its Frederickson plant.

“Toray was attracted to Washington because of our reputation for aerospace innovation,” said Cantwell, the Chair of the Senate Aviation Subcommittee. “As one of the top manufacturers of composites, Toray has helped Washington’s aerospace industry stay one step ahead of the competition. I congratulate Toray on its 20 years in Pierce County – and look forward to decades more work innovating and supporting Washington jobs.”

In 2003, the Senate passed Cantwell’s amendment to the ‘Vision 100’ FAA reauthorization bill creating the FAA’s first advanced aviation materials Center of Excellence. She successfully fought to have the new center based at the University of Washington. The Center for Excellence for Advanced Materials for Transportation Aviation Structures (AMTAS) leads the industry’s research of advanced aviation materials, such as composites and aluminum alloys, for use in civilian transport aircraft. Research conducted by AMTAS students and scientists helped prove to the FAA that use of structural composite materials in aircrafts is safe and quickened the agency’s certification process for the new Boeing 787.

###