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.

SEKISUI Aerospace has been manufacturing and engineering products for the commercial aerospace and defense markets for over 32 years. It is a leading designer and producer of advanced composite structures, systems, and engine components using thermoset and thermoplastic technology for the global aerospace industry. Headquartered in Renton, Washington, SEKISUI Aerospace has additional locations in Sumner, Washington and Orange City, Iowa with a total of 570 employees across all its facilities.  SEKISUI Aerospace is spearheading the way to intelligent automation insertion and rapid prototype to manufacturing processing and design optimization, to be more than a manufacturer of products and instead also provide solutions for our customers.

SEKISUI Aerospace is currently guided by President and CEO, Daniele Cagnatel, who holds an M.A. in Mechanical Engineering with Management and German Language from the University of Nottingham, U.K. Mr. Cagnatel joined SEKISUI Aerospace in August 2017, after serving over 20 years at GKN Aerospace. While at GKN Aerospace, Mr. Cagnatel served in many operational roles including Head of Strategic Planning and Business Development and President and CEO of Aerostructures North America. Mr. Cagnatel describes SEKISUI Aerospace’s impact on customers and the environment: “The ability to develop solutions for customers in commercial aerospace and other industries such as automotive, Urban Air Mobility, and military applications, allows us to differentiate ourselves through technology and serve our customers with innovative solutions to current and future projects. Investing in automated thermoplastic capability is another great step toward our commitments to eco sustainability by minimizing our impact to the environment as well as improving the quality of jobs and skill-sets of our employees.”

Throughout the global pandemic, SEKISUI Aerospace worked to protect its employees while continuing to improve its business model. In addition to implementing a tiered cost structure to keep benefits affordable and SEKISUI University for its team members’ learning benefit, it has invested in leadership development. With a global focus, the company diversified its target markets and invested in new equipment in order to move it closer to eco sustainability to minimize its impact on the environment and to create peace of mind.

PNAA Board Member Mateo Osojnik praises SEKISUI as "one of the rare aerospace organizations that looks beyond the present part production and focuses on sustainability, innovation and most of all its people. The companies’ vision of “Innovation for the Earth” embodies the strong desire to support life and create “peace of mind that continues into the future”. When making business decisions SEKISUI leadership talks beyond the challenges of today – they consider potential challenges of future generations. SEKISUI strives to improve, streamline, and continuously challenge the status quo, while supporting the community and its employees. This shift is quite unique and being part of the team that does approach things in this way has been an incredible privilege.”