ATC Manufacturing Expands Defense Capabilities with U.S. Air Force Contract

Lakeside on March 24, 2026

High-rate thermoplastic composites capability positions North Idaho for next-generation defense aircraft

 ATC Manufacturing (ATC) has been awarded a contract from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) for a program titled “Thermoplastic Composites for Large High-Rate Aircraft Structures.” At the center of this capability expansion is the use of a new large-format hydraulic press engineered specifically for high-rate thermoplastic processing capable of forming parts up to 122 inches (~10’ feet) x 61 inches (~5’ feet), significantly expanding the possibilities for next-generation defense and commercial platforms.

This contract marks a strategic expansion of ATC’s footprint in defense applications, reinforcing its role as a key partner in next-generation aerospace structures. ATC will be partnering with partners Anduril Industries and Toray Advanced Composites on this innovative program.

This new investment in high-rate thermoplastic processing is expected to drive job growth at ATC’s Post Falls, Idaho location. “Idaho manufacturing is lucky to have the support of Senator Crapo and Senator Risch,” said Pat Jones, President of ATC Manufacturing. “ATC shares their commitment to protect and expand our domestic supply chains and we are growing to meet the global demand for advanced aerospace manufacturing with American engineers right here in Idaho.”

Read Full Press Release

John J. Hemmingson named 2025 Business Leader of the Year.

Lakeside on March 11, 2025

The Journal of Business has named John J. Hemmingson as its 2025 Business Leader of the Year.

An entrepreneur, business executive, and philanthropist, Hemmingson is the co-founder and CEO of Lakeside Companies., which spans multiple business sectors, including education, aerospace, real estate, construction, agriculture, and more. The longtime Spokane businessman will be recognized with the award at the Journal’s Business of the Year Awards event, which will be Wednesday, March 26, at the Spokane Club.

AAMMC Tech Hub Announces $50M+ in Funding

Lakeside on February 1, 2025

The American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center (AAMMC) announced today that the Testbed and Training Center will become a reality through the U.S. Department of Commerce Tech Hub award and industry commitments of over $50 million.  This funding will establish a world-class, first-of-its kind testbed for advanced aerospace materials in the Inland Northwest. A partnership of industry and government engineers will advance high-rate manufacturing on equipment that is larger and more capable than any existing infrastructure for advanced composites manufacturing technologies.  

No region is better equipped than the Spokane-Coeur d’Alene region to meet the unprecedented global demand for equipping 40,000 new airplanes with lightweight aerospace parts that reduce carbon emissions. Within a few years, the Inland Northwest based AAMMC Tech Hub can have prototypes ready for testing and eventual high-rate production, enabling American suppliers to fulfill these orders and lessen our growing reliance on foreign technology and foreign manufacturing.

“This partnership has worked for two years on this plan to enable this region to lead the country and the world in the next generation of aerospace parts and reverse the trend toward foreign manufacturing. By establishing this capability in the Inland Northwest at the heart of the I-90 aerospace corridor, we are bringing together the right resources in the right region to create a critical capability for our country,” says John J. Hemmingson, CEO of Lakeside Companies, one of the leading consortium members.

Read the full press release on the AAMMC website here.

ATC Manufacturing Selected as 2024 Top Shop

Lakeside on January 14, 2025

Portfolio company ATC Manufacturing was recently honored to be featured in CompositesWorld as a 2024 Top Shop for composites manufacturing with an article highlighting ATC’s contributions to advanced thermoplastic composites. The article showcases ATC’s legacy of innovation, detailing how the company’s cutting-edge materials and manufacturing techniques have helped drive progress in aerospace manufacturing.

“Our focus is on high-rate, cost-saving applications where thermoplastics can really shine,” explains ATC business development manager Jason Merrifield. “Picture stamping out a new part every few minutes versus laying up and curing parts; it’s a more efficient process….When we talk about aerospace parts at automotive rates, thermoplastics are definitely a candidate for that because you can scale up quickly,” says Merrifield. “Anywhere you have a high volume of parts, that’s where thermoplastics really excel.”

Read the full article on CompositesWorld to learn more about our journey and the innovations shaping the future of thermoplastic composites.

John J. Hemmingson Selected as one of ’24 People of Influence for 2024′

Lakeside on December 28, 2023

The Spokane Journal of Business has announced ’24 People of Influence for 2024′ that are decision makers in the Spokane Coeur d’Alene region who are actively working to improve quality of life in the Inland Northwest. Our CEO, John J. Hemmingson, has been selected for his industry leadership and significant philanthropic contributions to the Spokane-Coeur d’Alene region.

Spokane-Coeur d’Alene Chosen as Regional Technology Hub by the U.S. Department of Commerce from nearly 400 Applicants Nationwide 

Lakeside on October 23, 2023

47 Member Consortium Grows as Inland Northwest Consortium Prepares for Phase 2 Competition. The Spokane-Coeur d’Alene region has officially been designated as a Regional Technology Hub by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA).  The American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center (AAMMC) is now one of 31 Hubs nationwide eligible to compete for Phase 2 of the CHIPS Regional Innovation Hub grants of $50-$75 million.

Lakeside Companies, Aerospace Leaders, Universities & More Unite for Inland Northwest Tech Hub Application 

Lakeside on August 17, 2023

Leading aerospace companies and research universities have joined nearly 50 area workforce training, venture capital, economic development, labor, tribal and government groups in the Inland Northwest to support establishing the American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center (AAMMC). If selected, the AAMMC tech hub will establish a world-class testbed for production, commercialization, and entrepreneurship in the Inland Northwest.  

ATC Selected as Key Partner for NASA HiCAM Project

Lakeside on April 17, 2023

ATC Manufacturing, a Lakeside company, has been chosen as a key partner on NASA’s Hi-Rate Composite Aircraft Manufacturing (HiCAM) project. As a key member of both the HiCAM project and the Advanced Composites Consortium, ATC will continue to lead advancements in sustainability, durability, and performance for the aerospace and high-performance materials industries.

Update on Triumph Composites Building

Lakeside on February 22, 2023

The Triumph Composites project remains in the planning and development stages. Our goal with this project remains the same; to find the best long-term use of the existing building and surrounding acreage that supports job retention and growth in the Spokane region.