Insights from the Washington Jobs Initiative

Spindle Dynamics delivers expert spindle motor repair and rebuild services for manufacturers in the printed circuit board (PCB) industry. Known for consistently high-quality workmanship, this team restores spindles to OEM standards with precision, reliability, and fast turnaround times. Their commitment to exceptional service has made Spindle Dynamics the trusted partner and gold standard in customer support throughout the industry.

Tucked into an unassuming industrial space in Tacoma, Spindle Dynamics offers a compelling window into the evolving reality of modern manufacturing, where high-level craftsmanship, innovation, and adaptability converge.

From the outside, it’s a small operation. On the inside—a precision-driven environment producing intricate spindle work that demands both technical expertise and creative problem-solving. Every product reflects a level of quality that can’t be automated or rushed—it must be learned, practiced, and refined over time. As the technical assistance lead at Washington STEM for the Washington Jobs Initiative, I saw firsthand the potential of manufacturing expansion. 

Leaders at Spindle Dynamics spoke candidly about navigating a space where they are "not a big enough small business." With fewer than ten employees, they sometimes find themselves in a challenging middle ground — too small to meet the size requirements of certain opportunities, yet carrying the same growth demands as larger organizations. Applying for grants or funding requires time and capacity they don't always have, and some programs simply aren't designed with businesses their size in mind. In practice, this means they operate with remarkable intentionality, maximizing the strengths of a tight-knit team while carefully pacing expansion to protect quality and sustainability. This positioning underscores their agility and discipline as a business operating in a complex manufacturing landscape.

Training is a clear example. Bringing on a new employee requires a significant investment of often six months or more of hands-on learning, mentorship, and immersion in highly specialized processes. While this requires time and attention from experienced staff, it also ensures that each new team member is deeply grounded in the craft. The result is a workforce defined not just by skill, but by precision and pride in their work.

A four-year degree is not required, expanding access to technician jobs for individuals ready to learn, contribute, and grow in advanced manufacturing. This approach aligns with a broader shift in the industry toward skills-based hiring and more inclusive career pathways.

At the same time, the company is investing in its existing talent to stay competitive on a global stage. Through a workforce development grant made accessible to them by Workforce Central under the Manufacturing Works efforts through the Washington Jobs Initiative, team members have participated in international training with partners in Italy, bringing back advanced knowledge, strengthening supplier relationships, and positioning the company for continued innovation.

Even amid broader economic pressures, including tariffs and tax constraints, Spindle Dynamics remains forward-looking. Leadership expressed a strong interest in reinvesting in domestic manufacturing and continuing to build a resilient, skilled workforce.

What truly sets the company apart is its culture. Leadership is hands-on and deeply engaged. Employees collaborate closely, tackling challenges with creativity and shared ownership. The workspace itself reflects this ethos, designed for efficiency, yes, but also for well-being, with areas that support rest, focus, and personal expression.

The visit surfaced a clear opportunity: connecting emerging talent to environments like this one. With the right support, through programs like Jobs 253, there is strong potential to build intentional pipelines that introduce young people to hands-on, meaningful careers in manufacturing.

Spindle Dynamics shows that impact in manufacturing isn’t defined by size alone. It’s defined by precision, people, and the ability to grow thoughtfully, building both products and talent with equal care.

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This story is part of an ongoing series highlighting my experience in the field as I visit training sites for businesses participating in the Washington State Jobs Initiative. Employers play an essential role in supporting student persistence through this initiative. With each visit, Washington STEM gains inspiration and information to inform our cross-system work — assessing the whole landscape to ensure adult mindsets and power structures evolve in ways that advance equity and opportunity for all participants.

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