International Business & Foreign Direct Investment
Global companies choose Snohomish County. Anchored by one of the world's premier aerospace clusters and connected to Asia and Europe through Sea-Tac International Airport and the Port of Everett, the county is home to international firms from Japan, Europe, and beyond — drawn by its skilled workforce, deep supply chain, and access to the Boeing ecosystem. Economic Alliance Snohomish County (EASC) serves as the front door for international companies evaluating U.S. and Pacific Northwest expansion.
Why Global Companies Locate Here
A gateway to the U.S. and Pacific markets
Snohomish County offers international investors a rare combination: a globally significant industrial base anchored by Boeing, a working deep-water port with Foreign Trade Zone #85, abundant clean power, and a partnership ecosystem that moves at the speed of business — all within reach of the Seattle market and connected to Asia and Europe by direct international flights. The county's aerospace supply chain, in particular, makes it a natural landing point for foreign firms serving Boeing, Airbus, and the global aviation market.
International Companies in Snohomish County
A globally connected business community
Companies headquartered around the world have chosen Snohomish County for U.S. operations, manufacturing, and engineering — a testament to the region's global competitiveness. Examples include:
| Company | Home country | Focus in Snohomish County |
|---|---|---|
| Jamco America | Japan | Aircraft cabin interiors & engineering (Everett) |
| Fujifilm Sonosite | Japan | Ultrasound / medical device HQ & manufacturing |
| Philips | Netherlands | Ultrasound / medical device operations |
| Safran Cabin | France | Aircraft cabin interiors & materials — Safran Cabin (Materials) in Marysville and NAT (Northwest Aerospace Technologies) in Everett |
| Wipro Givon USA | India (founded in Israel) | Aerospace metallic structural parts & assemblies; Everett facility near Boeing (part of India's Wipro; Givon founded in Israel) |
| Kongsberg Discovery | Norway | Subsea / maritime sensor & underwater technology (Lynnwood) |
| Echandia | Sweden | Maritime clean-tech battery systems; first U.S. facility (Marysville, Cascade Industrial Center) |
| MTorres | Spain | Automated aerospace manufacturing equipment & tooling; North American operations in Lynnwood with production in Everett [downsized from former Everett innovation center; confirm current footprint] |
| Achilles USA | Japan | Plastics / film manufacturing [confirm] |
| Altasciences (Preclinical Seattle) | Canada | Preclinical / contract research (drug development); Everett site formerly SNBL USA (Japan), acquired by Altasciences |
| Foremost Fuji | Japan | Packaging machinery / manufacturing [confirm sector & ownership] |
| Airbus Robotics | France / EU | Aerospace automation & robotics [confirm] |
Our International Partnership: Greater Seattle Partners
A regional FDI pipeline
EASC works in close partnership with Greater Seattle Partners (GSP), the regional economic development organization for the Seattle metro area, to attract and support foreign direct investment. GSP brings qualified international delegations to the region, and EASC converts that interest into Snohomish County projects — a repeatable pipeline that connects global companies to local sites, partners, and incentives.
Export Assistance for Local Companies
Helping Snohomish County businesses go global
International engagement runs both directions. EASC helps local companies reach global markets by connecting them to state and federal export resources, trade missions, and international trade shows. Key resources include:
- Washington STEP Export Vouchers — the Washington State Department of Commerce's Export Voucher Program (created with the U.S. Small Business Administration's State Trade Expansion Program, STEP) provides cash reimbursements to qualifying small businesses for trade-show and trade-mission fees, airfare, interpreter/translation services, and export training. https://www.commerce.wa.gov/export-assistance/export-vouchers/
- Washington Export Outreach Team (WEOT) — a coalition of federal, state, and local trade-support organizations offering coordinated export counseling and resources. https://legacy.sba.gov/district/seattle/washington-export-outreach-team
- International trade shows & delegations — EASC participates in and helps local companies access major international events (see below). https://www.economicalliancesc.org/events/?v=list
- Choose Washington / Commerce trade programs — state co-exhibit opportunities and international market support.
Snohomish County on the Global Stage
Where we represent the county
EASC actively represents Snohomish County at premier international events — showcasing the county's aerospace and advanced-manufacturing cluster, forging partnerships, and recruiting investment. Recent engagement includes:
2026 Japan Trade Mission — Tokyo
EASC joined the Aerospace Track of the state-led 2026 Japan Trade Mission organized by the Washington Secretary of State — a 40-member delegation spanning aerospace, sustainable aviation fuel, agriculture, and more. It marked the first time EASC engaged directly, in a coordinated state framework, with all four major Japanese aerospace primes — Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Subaru Aerospace, and Boeing Japan — positioning Snohomish County as the natural North American counterpart for Japanese aerospace supplier investment, anchored in shared programs like the 737 MAX North Line, 777/777X, and KC-46.
SelectUSA Seattle Spinoff — Snohomish County Day
In partnership with Greater Seattle Partners, EASC hosted its fourth Snohomish County Day, guiding a delegation of international investors through a day structured around the Five Ps of site selection. Stops included Echandia Marine (Scandinavian maritime clean energy), the Port of Everett working waterfront, a Five Ps partnership panel at Angel of the Winds Arena, and Boeing as the anchor employer — giving delegates a concrete map of where they could plug in. Several delegates requested follow-up site visits and incentive briefings.
2025 Paris Air Show — Le Bourget
As part of the Washington State delegation — where Snohomish County made up more than half of the participating organizations — EASC met with 20-plus companies and organizations from 10 countries, including firms already operating in the county, active recruitment targets, government partners, and academic institutions. It was at this show that Portal Space Systems announced its Bothell expansion.
EASC also participates or has participated in the Farnborough International Airshow (UK), the federal SelectUSA Investment Summit, and its annual Washington, D.C. Fly-In for federal advocacy, among other missions.
Sister Cities & Global Ties
Long-standing international relationships
Snohomish County's communities maintain sister-city and friendship relationships that reflect deep, decades-long international ties — cultural and civic connections that also help open doors for trade, exchange, and investment. These include:
| Community | Sister / partner city | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Everett | Iwakuni (since 1962) | Japan |
| Everett | Sligo | Ireland |
| Everett | Sovetskaya Gavan | Russia [relationship dormant; confirm current status before featuring] |
| Edmonds | Hekinan | Japan |
| Lynnwood | Choluteca | Honduras |
| The Port of Everett | Port of Ishinomaki | Japan |
| The Port of Everett | Hiroshima Prefecture | Japan |
Expanding to the U.S.? Start here.
Economic Alliance Snohomish County is the front door for international companies considering Snohomish County. Begin a confidential conversation at economicalliancesc.org.
Sources
- Economic Alliance Snohomish County FDI records — www.economicalliancesc.org
- Company websites & public announcements
- Greater Seattle Partners — www.greater-seattle.com
- Washington State Department of Commerce (STEP Export Vouchers; WEOT) — www.commerce.wa.gov
- Office of the Washington Lieutenant Governor (sister cities) — www.ltgov.wa.gov/washington-sister-cities
- Snohomish County (partner relationships) — snohomishcountywa.gov