July 2015 - In This Issue:
 
CEO Tom Bugnitz (far left) attends the Supply Chain Initiative
roundtable at the White House on July 9th
UPCOMING EVENTS
For a complete listing of events, visit our website 
OFFICIAL TECHRLOT LAUNCH EVENT
July 22
CU South Denver Campus

techrIoT is a Colorado-based community of Internet of Things (IoT) entrepreneurs, executives, manufacturers, investors, engineers, suppliers and academics. Together, we're collaborating to enhance speed to market for innovative new IoT products and services and convening Colorado's ecosystem of resources for ground-breaking companies.

 

VISIONARY CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES OPEN HOUSE
July 24-27
Front Range Community College

We welcome manufacturers, educational institutions, economic development organizations, and other stakeholders to help us define how we can support the Colorado manufacturing effort. In addition, we will share information about the T3WDI platform and our efforts to support transitioning service members and veterans in Colorado.

 

M2: MANUFACTURING GROWTH & INVESTOR CONFERENCE
July 27
Tivoli Student Union | Auraria Campus

M2 is the First Event of its Kind...

An investor conference conceived to help manufacturing and supply-chain companies identify new opportunities and evaluate investment options to fund growth.

 

Companies will hear from business leaders about factors shaping company valuations, challenges associated with family-owned businesses, mergers and acquisitions, exits and succession planning.

 

Lenders and investors will also provide an update regarding debt and equity markets, and importantly, non-traditional methods manufacturers should evaluate to creatively fund their companies.


FRONT RANGE SYNERGY NETWORK KICKOFF MEETING
July 28
CH2M Hil| Englewood
Please RSVP by July 23

Organizations across the Front Range have partnered with CH2M Hill and the US Business Council for Sustainable Development (US BCSD) to launch a new material reuse program for businesses, organizations, and communities in the Front Range. The Front Range Synergy Network (FRSN) will create a closed-loop system in which one organization's waste is another organization's raw material. FRSN members will use an online database where available and needed materials can be listed and identified for potential trade.

 
Bugnitz Visits White House
Manufacturer's Edge CEO among panel of experts participating in Supply Chain Initiative
 
Manufacturer's Edge CEO
 Tom Bugnitz

On July 9th, Phil Singerman, Associate Director for Innovation and Industry Services at NIST, and MEP Director Carroll Thomas participated in the White House-led Supply Chain Innovation Initiative roundtable. Dave Boulay, IMEC, Jim Watson, CMTC, Chuck Spangler, SCMEP, John Killam, MassMEP, Zenagui Brahim, NH MEP, Tom Bugnitz, Manufacturer's Edge and Bill Donohue, GENEDGE Alliance added their voices, perspectives and opinions to the event. 

 

The Supply Chain Innovation Initiative was a first-ever convening of manufacturing leaders discussing how to strengthen the innovation capabilities of U.S. supply chains. MEP Center clients and board members were invited to tell their company stories about maintaining their competitive edge in their supply chains, how innovation and technology effects their business, and where MEP played a roll in strategies. 

 

In prepared remarks Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker thanked MEP for its support of manufacturing and challenged corporate executives in the room to get to know MEP if they hadn't already done so. The event was attended by over 30 manufacturers representing both the top and lower tiers of their supply chains. Among the day's discussion topics were forms of collaboration among supply chain partners, how to leverage U.S. innovation assists like the National Labs and MEP and scaling technology resources to reach even the smallest companies in supply chains.

 

For more information on supply chain innovation initiative roundtable contact Mark Schmit.  

 

- article provided by NIST MEP 

 
Get Ready for SOCOM 2015!
Save the dates: October 6 & 7

The Southern Colorado Manufacturing Expo & Conference - is an exciting event conceived to showcase the region's growing manufacturing sector and connect manufacturers, suppliers, service, and capital.  

 

SOCOM EXPO is equal parts exposition, networking and education.

 

Come and join us and see what's made, and how it's made, right here in Southern Colorado. This event will showcase:

  • Manufacturers
  • Supporting organizations
  • Suppliers
  • Service companies
  • Live product demonstrations

Learn more about how manufacturing is contributing to the current and future growth of our economy. Students and job seekers will have the opportunity to talk face-to-face with representatives from leading employers about growing career opportunities in manufacturing.

 

Please join us for SOCOM Expo 2015 and support the companies that are driving a manufacturing revival in Southern Colorado!

 

Find out more here 
Kids Connection Updates
Camp Ignite, SME Scholarships, and an opportunity to get involved
NHS students tour the GeoTech facilities during Camp Ignite
1) First, Manufacturer's Edge would like to send out a big "thank you" to GeoTech and Community Power Corporation for participating in a recent event called Camp Ignite. Camp Ignite was designed to introduce Northglenn High School students to the world of manufacturing. After touring the facilities and speaking with the experts about recent advancements in science and technology, the students were then asked to brainstorm possible ways of introducing those advancements to less developed countries in order to improve their access to life-saving and life-improving resources. The event was a big success and an eye-opening, inspiring experience for the students.
2) Second, in an effort to inspire and support the next generation of manufacturers, the SME Education Foundation awards multiple scholarships each year to students who are pursuing advanced manufacturing degrees. This year's recipients include Zachary Bibik, who was awarded a $70,000 scholarship to study mechanical engineering at Colorado State University starting in the fall. A complete list of scholarship recipients can be found here.

The SME Education Foundation will begin accepting scholarship applications for 2016-17 in November 2015. For more information and reminders, visit their website.

3) Finally, last month we introduced our readers to the Thornton STEM in need of support and funding in order to allow their students to completely re-imagine the traditional classroom.
"When students take an active role in creating their learning space, their sense of personal responsibility and ownership of their educational experiences increases exponentially," explains 5th grade teacher Andrea Overton. This is where you come in...on the first day of school this fall, the students will walk into an empty classroom full of potential. With the help of the manufacturing community, we can fill the classroom with flexible work spaces imagined, designed, and executed by the students themselves. If you are willing to contribute materials, time, or expertise please contact Sumer Sorensen-Bain. Thank you!  
Using Mobile Classrooms to Address the Skills Gap
Visionary Center for Sustainable Communities to host a Colorado Open House July 24-27 at Front Range Community College 

The Challenge

The U.S. manufacturing industry is on the rise. However, it is facing a significant challenge in having enough skilled workers to meet the manufacturing demand. It is anticipated that the number of American manufacturing jobs will increase to more than 3 million in the next 10 years and that access to qualified talent is a factor contributing to the employment and skills gap ("The skills gap in U.S. manufacturing 2015 and beyond," Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute, 2015). One of the primary issues facing this industry is the misperceptions about the manufacturing sector and that it is dirty and/or dangerous.

 

The Solution

Visionary Center for Sustainable Communities (VCSC), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is implementing a solution to help raise awareness about manufacturing in the U.S. and the educational and career opportunities that are available. Through mobile classroom facilities, we will offer workshops/outreach on the future of and career opportunities in manufacturing. In addition, our mobile classrooms will provide access to tools and systems to understand different aspects of manufacturing.  

 

Join VCSC at Front Range Community College July 24-27, 2015 to hear their vision for equipping the mobile classrooms and discuss ideas with local stakeholders about how to better support Colorado manufacturers.   

 

Find out more here 
Boulder Beers & Gears Recap
Colfax Marathon participants recognized at the Boulder Beers & Gears 
On June 24th, manufacturers and marathoners joined Manufacturer's Edge for the first Boulder edition of Beers & Gears. After a fun and informative tour of the Upslope Brewery and OZO Coffee facilities, participants from this year's Colfax Marathon were acknowledged over beers and BBQ. 

The Manufacturing Division of the Colfax Marathon Corporate Cup Relay, sponsored by BKD CPAs & Advisors, attracted 19 teams from throughout the state of Colorado. SparkFun Electronics received the Golden Gear (pictured front-center) for their first place finish place. Each team received a photo plaque to display at their facility.

Stay tuned for details on the next Beers & Gears event to take place this fall! 
Participate in MFG DAY 2015 by Hosting an Open House
Annual event to be held on October 2nd 





 





As a manufacturer it's your opportunity to:
  • Tell your company's story
  • Inspire a new generation of manufacturers
  • Dispel outdated myths about manufacturing
  • Connect with potential customers in your community
  • Learn about manufacturing extension partnerships that can improve your efficiencies and work force skills and boost your profits
  • Visit other manufacturers to initiate business relationships and learn what is being made in your community

The core element to Manufacturing Day is the schedule of manufacturer's open houses. Manufacturing Day producers will promote the open house schedule through general and trade media campaigns which will alert thousands of people to visit manufacturers and see that North American manufacturing is a vibrant career path and employers need skilled workers. The event will also make it possible for manufacturers to visit other participating companies in their region that may be potential business partners - either as customers or suppliers.

 

Register to host an open house at your company today!

   
Arrow Sheet Metal
Company Week and Manufacturer's Edge Innovative Manufacturer  
By Eric Peterson
Denver, Colorado
Founded: 1976
Privately owned
Employees: 16
www.arrowsheetmetal.com

President Susan Cirocki is leading the sheet metal fabricator into diversified markets and a wider geographic footprint.

"My father, Fred Cirocki, started Arrow in 1976," says Susan. "I'm an only child so I grew up around it all my life. He put me to work and I hated it."

 

But no emotion is final. Fred recruited her back to the sheet metal business in 1994, after she graduated from college and worked a few other jobs. "He said, 'I need to sell it or I need you to come back,'" Susan recalls. "I couldn't let his blood, sweat, and tears go to waste."

 

Three years later -- at age 33 -- Susan took over the company after Fred passed away. She worked to restructure and modernize the company, and soon found herself liking the business much more than her adolescent self would have ever thought possible.


Read the full article