Showcasing Alaska Manufacturing: An Anchorage Listening Tour with Senator Sullivan

AKMA recently had the opportunity to coordinate another manufacturing listening tour with Senator Dan Sullivan—this time in Anchorage—highlighting the innovation, diversity, and economic impact of Alaska manufacturers operating in our state’s largest city.

Listening tours like these provide a valuable opportunity for policymakers to step inside manufacturing facilities, meet directly with business owners and employees, and see firsthand the products being made in Alaska. They also give manufacturers the chance to share the realities of operating in Alaska, the markets they serve, the jobs they create, and the ways their businesses contribute to local economies and communities across the state.

This Anchorage tour included three very different manufacturers, each representing a unique part of Alaska’s manufacturing landscape—from advanced technology and industrial monitoring systems to food production and consumer goods. Together, they demonstrated that manufacturing in Alaska is not only possible—it is thriving.

A Day of Listening, Learning, and Manufacturing

beadedstream

Our first stop was beadedstream, where founder Brian Shumaker and Production Manager Patrick Sirois welcomed us for a tour of their facility and a closer look at their production process for manufacturing Arctic-grade monitoring systems.

beadedstream is an award-winning Alaska technology manufacturer working toward a future where remote measurement limitations no longer apply. Their work specializes in sensor development, embedded intelligence, and edge connectivity, creating systems capable of operating in some of the harshest environments on earth.

One of the most impactful conversations during the visit centered around the company’s decision to reshore its manufacturing process from China back to Alaska. By bringing production closer to home, beadedstream has been able to improve quality control, reduce lead times, and deliver products to customers in less than half the time. Their story is a powerful example of how Alaska manufacturers continue to innovate while strengthening domestic manufacturing capacity.

Illusions Food Company

Next, we visited Illusions Food Company, where owner Whitney Sutton gave us a behind-the-scenes look at one of Anchorage’s busiest wholesale bakeries.

Illusions Food Company specializes in handcrafted baked goods and deli items produced for cafés, grocers, and food service clients across Alaska. From cookies, muffins, and scones to cinnamon rolls, biscotti, sandwiches, and breakfast items, their operation combines the feel of small-batch baking with the scale needed to serve customers statewide.

Walking through the warehouse was impressive. Large industrial mixers and ovens kept production moving while teams throughout the facility baked, assembled breakfast sandwiches, and decorated cookies. The tour highlighted not only the complexity of food manufacturing, but also the workforce and coordination required to consistently produce high-quality products at scale.

Illusions Food Company is a strong example of how Alaska manufacturers support local jobs while supplying businesses and consumers across the state with Alaska-made products every day.

Taco Loco Products

Our final stop was Taco Loco Products, where second-generation sibling owners Adam and Anabel Galindo shared the history and growth of their family business.

Taco Loco Products is a locally owned and operated manufacturer of corn and flour tortillas, tortilla chips, and fresh salsa made right in Anchorage. Their products are supplied to restaurants, grocers, and food service businesses across Alaska, providing reliable, locally made staples rooted in authentic flavor and quality.

During the tour, we saw the scale of their manufacturing operation firsthand. Their equipment is capable of producing up to 45,000 tortillas in a single day, demonstrating both the efficiency and capacity of Alaska-based food manufacturing. The visit also highlighted the importance of multi-generational family businesses in Alaska’s manufacturing economy and the role local producers play in supporting restaurants, retailers, and communities statewide.

Why Listening Tours Matter

At AKMA, we believe listening tours are one of the most effective ways to connect policymakers directly with Alaska manufacturers. These visits allow business owners to share the challenges and opportunities they face, explain how policy decisions impact operations, and showcase the innovation happening inside Alaska manufacturing facilities every day.

Just as importantly, these tours highlight the diversity of Alaska manufacturing. In a single afternoon, Senator Sullivan was able to see companies serving industries ranging from advanced technology and environmental monitoring to wholesale food production and consumer goods. Each company had a different customer base, a different operational model, and a different story—but all shared a common thread: they are creating jobs, supporting local economies, and proving that manufacturing in Alaska continues to grow and evolve.

AKMA is proud to serve as a non-partisan advocate for Alaska manufacturers and to help create opportunities for meaningful conversations between industry leaders and elected officials. If other policymakers, legislators, or representatives are interested in connecting with manufacturers in their communities, AKMA is happy to help organize these types of tours anywhere in Alaska.

These conversations matter. They give manufacturers a seat at the table and help ensure the voices of Alaska industry are part of shaping future policies and solutions.

Interested in showcasing your facility or participating in future listening tours?

Join AKMA

Local Success Stories