It’s tempting to say they never had a chance, really, this upstart bunch that somehow was selected a finalist for Walmart’s U.S. Manufacturing Innovation Fund. The idea for Rural Colorado Apparel Manufacturing, or RCAM, was strong, so the submission was eye-catching and in keeping with Walmart’s push to support domestic manufacturing. But last month, Walmart […]
Last week’s column on Colorado’s rural apparel manufacturing initiative easily became the most-read article in CompanyWeek this year, thanks to a big assist from Fashion Association Denver and others who posted the content on social media. Denver’s fashion scene is very interested, it turns out, in the prospect of making more apparel and sewn products […]
Last month’s flat PMI set off another round of hand-wringing by the national business press, the latest in the entertaining spectacle of media deciding manufacturing’s fate. Pundit’s are confused — often in the same article. From MarketWatch in late January, “Opinion: U.S. manufacturing teeters on the edge of recession“: “Capital spending is down.” Bad news. […]
One reason we waited to develop an awards program for manufacturers is because business is awash in awards. But with knowledge gained from writing about 400-plus manufacturers in two years, and a big push from Manufacturer’s Edge, the NIST manufacturing extension partner in Colorado, we think the time is right for the inaugural Colorado Manufacturing […]
Two weeks ago, the Denver Business Journal reported that a national nonprofit organization with ties to outdoor recreation is poised to choose between Utah and Colorado for its new home, with a move sometime in 2016. That’s no surprise to us; we’ve been speculating for over a year that both states will benefit from a […]
At the close of 2015, Utah manufacturing is a success story. It’s a narrative of cross-industry diversity, game-changing workforce possibilities, and high-tech momentum. It’s also challenged by the same headwinds facing regional and national manufacturers. The story of the Utah manufacturing renaissance is unfinished. Utah companies are an impressive cast of characters. We know because […]
Here are seven manufacturing stories we’ll be following closely in 2016: 1. Craft beer’s pivotal year. Two key ingredients of Colorado craft’s successful formula — its specialty sales channel and local ownership — may be tipped over in 2016. How will the sector respond? In November voters will likely decide whether grocery stores and other […]
We’re pleased to announce that the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, the Colorado affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), has signed on to support the inaugural Colorado Manufacturing Awards. CACI will anchor an association presence that provides national reach and exposure for this long-overdue business recognition program. The Colorado Manufacturing Awards (CMA) […]
We write often of Colorado’s powerful craft food and beverage sector, but last week’s news of Pinnacle Foods acquisition of Boulder Brands for nearly a billion dollars was an eye-opener. The $975 million price tag, including $265 million in debt, is 29X net earnings (EBITDA), a staggering multiple, especially for a company that’s struggled lately […]
The news was generally positive this past Monday at the University of Colorado’s 51st annual Business Economic Outlook program, hosted by the Leeds School of Business. Richard Wobbekind, senior associate dean for academic programs, again emceed what has become the most important and substantive forecasting event for Colorado’s economy. As the report surmised: “The state […]