PNAA’s Aerospace Company of the Year Award is presented to the aerospace company located in the Pacific Northwest that has exhibited exceptional organizational and managerial characteristics while continually maintaining a strong competitive posture, thus raising the industry standard for the Pacific Northwest.

In 1999, Darrell A. Sutherland founded Dylan Manufacturing, Inc. with a single 2-axis CNC turning center in a leased 1,000 sq. ft. garage.  However, his vision for the company has always been great – to be a world-class manufacturer and supplier, leading the way in automation, training, and additive manufacturing.

Under the leadership of its CEO and with his commitment to continuous improvement, Dylan Aerospace quickly grew to a fully automated 16,000 sq. ft. 5-axis CNC machining facility (running nearly 24 hours a day) and became a trusted L.T.A. Boeing Direct Tier I supplier, winning consecutive Boeing Supplier Excellence Awards.  

In 2018, Dylan Aerospace acquired the building next door to expand to nearly 40,000 sq. ft. – more than doubling its facility and staff capacity.  The new facility will enable Dylan Aerospace to continue expanding their manufacturing capabilities with new state-of-the-art 5-axis Universal Machining Centers, as well as broaden their secondary operations and house their growing proprietary-software division – all while bringing new Aerospace and high-tech jobs to the Pacific Northwest marketplace.

The company has the respect of many others in the supply chain and sets an example for other SMEs to follow as it pertains to innovation, automation and engaging outreach to cultivate the next generation of aerospace machinists and technicians.  Dylan Aerospace sets a high standard for others to follow and meets – and in some areas exceeds – the criteria for PNAA’s Company of the Year Award.

The development of Dylan’s internal personal-professional improvement model, lvn|kzn™, is one secret of their success.  The ability to bring a new person into the company and work with them to discover their true genius, unique abilities, and belief structure – allowed Dylan Aerospace to establish a company culture of growth, communication, and transcendence.

“Dylan Aerospace’s commitment to continuous improvement and truly exponential results has been recognized both at home and around the globe.  It is part of the reason they were chosen as PNAA’s Company of the Year,” said PNAA’s Executive Deputy Director Fiona McKay.  “But Dylan’s most notable accomplishment is its continual investment in its team and staff training.”

In addition to the company’s commitment to building a strong team, Dylan Aerospace recognizes the skilled workforce needed for the future of aerospace manufacturing.  Outreach has been focused on helping students realize that manufacturing is “cool.”  To encourage interest through experiential learning, the company has built an in-house training facility designed to inspire a passion for aerospace manufacturing.  Two collaborative robots supply the additional “coolness” factor for students.

Demonstrating the heart and culture of Dylan Aerospace, I LUV MFG™ (“I Love Manufacturing”), founded by CEO Darrell Sutherland further nurtures a culture of exponential growth, continuous improvement, and modern ideas.  I LUV MFG™ is a national movement with global impact, focused on exposing fresh minds and innovative entrepreneurs to the amazing hidden opportunities within the U.S. Manufacturing Markets.  

Exponential Technologies Require Exponential Specialists – which is why we believe Modern Manufacturing skills are true lifelong assets, vital to any prospering economy.”- Darrell Sutherland.