EVERETT — A bus tour aimed at highlighting the contributions of Washington manufacturers to the state’s economy and the struggles the companies face made two stops in Everett on Thursday.

Officials from the trade group, the Association of Washington Business , visited the two companies, Access Laser and Eckstrom Industries , as part of their annual six-day bus tour across Washington.

This year was the ninth annual tour.

The two companies visited in Everett focus on completely different areas.

Access Laser, located on West Casino Road near the Everett Boeing manufacturing plant, produces specialized products that are used in medical and industrial applications. Eckstrom Industries, located on Hewitt Avenue near downtown, makes furniture, sheet metal, pulp and paper products, as

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