Matsushita originally moved into its current building on Puyallup's south side in 1991. It had been looking throughout the United States for property where it could build from scratch. Officials became aware that the Puyallup site was being sold by then-owner and occupant National Semiconductor. Matsushita scooped up not only the land, but some 350 National employees. Matsushita has steadily expanded from 350 to 420 workers, and last year reached the maximum of its plant-expansion capabilities.
New technology demands a new building and the equipment to go with it.
We made the decision to expand here. Matsushita's new facility, now under construction, will double the square footage of the site from 340,000 square feet to 674,000 square feet. The employee base will grow from 420 to 700. It also is home to the Port of Tacoma's Frederickson industrial park, which houses a Boeing Co. plant that employs 850. Workers at the Boeing facility build wing and tail sections for the 777.