April 2015 - In This Issue:
UPCOMING EVENTS

For a complete listing of events, visit our website
2015 CAMA WEST MANUFACTURING SUMMIT
April 15
Two River Convention Center
Grand Jct

This one day program is filled with opportunities to learn, connect, and grow. With an overarching theme of Workforce Development as it pertains to manufacturers in Western Colorado, this year's Summit is sure to be informative and inspiring.

 

COLORADO EXPERIENCE
April 16 & 17 @ 8am-6pm
Keystone Resort & Conference Center

Join us for this two-day, one-night leadership immersion trip to learn more about how Colorado's sectors and industries are coming together to tackle statewide challenges.

 

THE WORLD COMES TO COLORADO: China Business Update with Beijing Principal Commercial Officer Val Huston
April 20 @ 8am
U.S. Patent and Trade Office
$35

The U.S. Department of Commerce's Principal Officer in Beijing, Mr. Val Huston, will visit Denver on April 20, 2015. After six years of working in China, he will share his experiences and insights about doing business in China. He will review the current financial, trade and regulatory environment in this fast-changing market, and discuss business opportunities and challenges for U.S. companies.

 

Manufacturer's Edge presents
PRINCIPLES OF LEAN WITH LIVE SIMULATION
April 22 @ 8am-4pm
**Note date change: previously scheduled for March 11**
Colo Northwestern Community College
$50

In this interactive eight-hour training, your team will learn how to apply the key principles of Lean to your manufacturing processes. High-retention learning is accomplished through both classroom time and four rounds of simulation. Each round of simulation is followed by classroom learning focused on the basic building blocks of Lean Manufacturing.

AME DENVER 2015
April 27 & 28

The purpose of this event is to provide manufacturers, service, health care and educational professionals with practitioner-based best practice examples about how to achieve peak performance. Our goal is to provide you and your organization with lean knowledge and inspirational learning that is guaranteed to help you grow your true potential.

COBIZ MAGAZINE'S MADE IN COLORADO FORUM
April 30 @ 1pm

This half day forum brings together Colorado manufacturers to discuss industry topics in a B2B Lounge, keynote address, panel discussion, Manufacturing Awards, and a reception.

2015 FLC NATIONAL MEETING
April 30 @ 8:15am-12:15pm
Embassy Suites Denver Downtown

Local industry leaders, government representatives and academia are invited to Industry Day at the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC) annual national meeting in Denver, on April 30, where famed venture capitalist Brad Feld will be the keynote speaker.

FRCC MACHINING CAREER
May 12 @ 4-6pm
Front Range Community College

Job Seekers
Good-paying jobs are waiting for you! Come meet with industry employers who are actively seeking qualified candidates.

Companies

You'll meet Intro, Intermediate and Advanced Machining students, many of whom have machining experience. The event is also open to the public, allowing for machinists of all experience levels to network with you. Reserve a table by 5/1.

WORLD TRADE DAY
May 19 @ 8am-5pm
Ritz-Carlton Denver

This year's theme, "Advancing Colorado around the Globe," will feature global business opportunities for Colorado's most innovative and advanced industries in our state. World Trade Day presents the best opportunity of the year to network and learn from all companies doing business internationally.

A Note of Congratulations to a Friend and Partner
Former Colorado MEP Center Director, Wade Troxell, voted in as new Mayor of Fort Collins
The entire Manufacturer's Edge team would like to congratulate Wade Troxell on his recent victory in the race for the Fort Collins mayoral seat! Wade was the first Colorado MEP Center Director and continues to be a valued partner and supporter of manufacturing in Colorado, so we have firsthand experience with his effective leadership style. The city of Fort Collins will benefit immensely from his influence. Congratulations Mayor Troxell!

Beers & Gears to Kick Off NOCOM 2015 Manufacturing Trade Show

Beers & Gears to be held on May 5 followed by the first annual NOCOM trade show on May 6 
On May 5, Manufacturer's Edge will kick off NOCOM with a Beers & Gears walking tour of three Northern Colorado favorites: Grimm Brothers Brewery, Tharp Cabinets Corporation, and LPR Construction. The tour will begin and end at the brewery, allowing for plenty of time to network while enjoying some frosty beverages!

This tour is designed exclusively for manufacturers and is limited to three attendees from each company.

Beers & Gears is sponsored by BKD, Bank of Colorado, and PFS Insurance Group.

Register here for Beers & Gears

NOCOM 2015 showcases Northern Colorado's rapidly expanding manufacturing sector, while also connecting
manufacturers, suppliers, services, and capital. With nearly 60 manufacturing companies featured in the Exhibitor Hall and presentations on Procurement/Supplier Qualification from Leading Manufacturers and Emerging Technology-Digital Manufacturing, NOCOM 2015 provides an opportunity for manufacturers to network with others in their field and learn more about how manufacturing is contributing to the current and future growth of our economy. According to Paul Harter, CEO of AquaHot Heating Systems, Inc., and chair of the NOCOM 2015 organizing committee, "No other event or venue will offer such a great opportunity to experience Northern Colorado's diverse manufacturing community. Attending NOCOM 2015 could have a powerful impact on where your company looks for partners and business-critical resources." 

There will also be a B2B Lounge following the event.

 
Please visit our website for a full schedule of events to register for NOCOM
42nd Annual World Trade Day
Advancing Colorado Around the Globe

World Trade Day 2015 will take place on May 19 from 8am to 6pm at the Ritz-Carlton Denver. Centering on Colorado's advanced industries, six breakout sessions and two keynote speakers will showcase Colorado's varied and extensive global opportunities. Then, the entire ballroom of attendees will engage in an interactive supply chain simulation called The Cool Connection, which will delve into the intricacies of managing the global supply chain and trade finance. The day will also include opportunities for B2B meetings with over 30 international delegates.

 

For more details and registration 

Manufacturer's Edge Impact on Colorado in 2014 

MEP releases data for 2014 

 
Every year the Manufacturing Extension Partnership publishes our "report card" and analyzes the full impact Manufacturer's Edge has had throughout the state of Colorado during the previous year.

Economic Impact Numbers (based on clients surveyed in FY2014)
  • $41.3 Million
    Total Increased and Retained Sales
  • 262 Total Increased and Retained Jobs
  • $14.1 Million New Client Investments
  • $4.2 Million Cost Savings
2014 was a great year for manufacturing in our state and we are excited, poised, and ready to make 2015 even better!

Manufacturer's Edge in the News
CEO Tom Bugnitz was recently quoted in BizWest

"People are convinced that they're the next billionaire," said Tom Bugnitz, chief executive of Boulder-based nonprofit Manufacturer's Edge. "But then they hit the valley - they don't know how to get capital, how to get their product manufactured, or how to market it."

Read the full article here
Kids Connection
Update on Difference Maker, Kylan


Many of you know about Kylan's travels around the world to meet his pen pal in Uganda last fall. If not, you can read his story here www.iamthedifferencemaker.org. Since he has been back, he has been busy inspiring other youth. He has recently launched the Difference Maker Movement which includes an after school program called the Difference Maker Club. The club focuses on using problem solving techniques to develop products to help regions in need. Their first challenge is clean water and sanitation. On April 20th, the kids in this club will be traveling to GeoTech Environmental Equipment to learn about the products and tools they use to help to measure and filter water. We would like to thank GeoTech for opening their doors and sharing their knowledge about this critical issue. We are excited to see what product ideas these kids come up with and will share more in the future.
Colorado Malting Company
Company Week and Manufacturer's Edge Innovative Manufacturer
By Eric Peterson
Arvada
Alamosa, Colorado
Founded: 2009
Privately owned
Employees: 10
www.coloradomaltingcompany.com

The Cody family has been growing barley in the San Luis Valley for generations. Formerly farming for Coors, now they've gone their own way to supply Colorado's craft beer industry.
 

The Cody family has been growing barley in the San Luis Valley for generations. Formerly farming for Coors, now they've gone their own way to supply Colorado's craft beer industry.

 

Jason Cody's late grandfather (Bob) and father (Wayne) grew barley for Coors in southwestern Colorado for about 50 years before the business plan changed in the 2000s. They stopped growing Coors' proprietary barley varieties and took to the open market for other strains of grain they could market to smaller breweries.

 

"We just started thinking outside of the box," says Jason, Colorado Malting Company's president. "We thought we could add some value." And the shoe fits: "We're all big German guys who like to drink beer." Jason says Dave Thomas, a former Coors employee, was his malting mentor. "He took me under his wing," Jason says.

 

Read the full article

Manufacturer's EDGE
STRENGTHENING THE QUANTITY & QUALITY
OF MANUFACTURERS IN COLORADO