The 2024 Colorado Manufacturing Network Awards
Join the Colorado Manufacturing Network as we come together from across all four corners of the state to honor the trailblazers of Colorado’s manufacturing industry! This awards program celebrates excellence across various categories, recognizing the exceptional individuals and companies who are setting new standards in workforce development, Industry 4.0 innovation, leadership, and the advancement of women in manufacturing.
Celebrating Our 2024 Winners
Manufacturing Workforce Innovator of the Year Award
The Manufacturing Workforce Innovator of the Year can be a company or an individual who demonstrates a commitment to workforce development.
2024 Winner: Cherry Creek Innovation Campus
Cherry Creek Innovation Campus (CCIC) offers high school students hands-on learning in fields like manufacturing and aerospace, blending education with real-world experience. Many students graduate with industry certifications and apprenticeships, making CCIC a powerful bridge between education and industry.
Manufacturing Generational Excellence Award
The Manufacturing Generational Excellence Award will be given to a company that has been operational and successful for multiple decades and has become a pillar of their community.
2024 Winner: Rockmount Ranch Wear
Rockmount Ranch Wear has been a Denver icon since 1946. Known for inventing the snap-front western shirt, their products reflect the rugged spirit of the West. Even today, they operate out of their original LoDo building, carrying on a proud tradition of quality craftsmanship and heritage.
Manufacturing Trailblazer Award
Manufacturing Trailblazers aren’t just talking about the future – they are making it! Companies considered for this award are adopting integrated digital technologies and automation to streamline the production process.
2024 Winner: Ska Fabricating
Ska Fabricating designs and builds automated packaging systems from Durango, Colorado. Whether it’s depalletizers, conveyor lines, or turn-key solutions, Ska Fabricating helps businesses worldwide scale with efficiency, ensuring their packaging operations stay ahead in a competitive market.
Manufacturing Woman of the Year Award (Colorado Chapter of Women in Manufacturing)
The Manufacturing Woman of the Year Award, developed and awarded by the Colorado Chapter of Women in Manufacturing, recognizes a woman who has made exceptional contributions throughout her career in the manufacturing industry.
2024 Winner: Liz Palmer & Shannon Roe
Liz Palmer has more than a decade of experience in food and beverage manufacturing, where she’s known for breaking barriers and driving innovation. As Director of Manufacturing at Allegro Coffee, Liz not only leads production for Whole Foods but also mentors other women through organizations like Women in Manufacturing and the Society of Women Engineers.
Shannon Roe from the Advanced Manufacturing Sciences Institute at MSU Denver plays a critical role in building the manufacturing workforce of tomorrow. Her dedication to recruitment, student support, and program retention has increased enrollment and graduation rates. Shannon goes beyond her formal role by personally advising students, helping them stay on track and succeed in manufacturing careers.
Learn more about our winners: Liz Palmer and Shannon Roe
Manufacturing Champion Award
The Manufacturing Champion award recognizes an individual who is leading the industry forward. The recipient of this award will have made significant contributions to the manufacturing sector through their strategic thinking and implementation of industry-wide plans, programs, or policies that help grow, support, and advocate for manufacturing.
2024 Winner: Marcia Coulson – Eldon James
Marcia Coulson and Eldon James bring more than three decades of innovation to life sciences manufacturing. Marcia has expanded her company into a global leader in tubing and fluid-handling solutions, with a new 106,000-square-foot facility reflecting her commitment to growth and quality. She also makes family a key part of the business, building a culture of inclusion and teamwork.
Emerging Manufacturer Award
The Emerging Manufacturing Award is presented to an individual or company that demonstrates innovation with new products, services, or business models.
2024 Winner: Meati Foods
Meati Foods is transforming the food industry with their innovative use of mycelium to create nutrient-rich, sustainable protein products. Founded by two passionate Colorado scientists over a shared love of environmental solutions, Meati’s commitment to reshaping the future of food has propelled them to the forefront of alternative protein innovation, bringing Earth-friendly nutrition to the masses.
Global Business Excellence Award (WTC Denver)
The Global Business Excellence Award is presented by the World Trade Center Denver and celebrates exceptional businesses that excel in international markets through innovative strategies, operational excellence, and sustainable practices.
2024 Winner: Trinidad Benham
Trinidad Benham integrates operations from seed to shelf, producing some of the highest-quality beans in the world. With strategic supply chains and efficient logistics, they deliver reliably to global markets, embodying operational excellence that sustains their growth and strengthens international commerce.
Sustainment Supplier of the Year Award
As the leading supplier network and management tool for manufacturers, Sustainment is an integral part of the Colorado Manufacturing Network, providing a platform on which the Network can connect, interact, and do business. The Sustainment Supplier of the Year Award will be selected from the manufacturing companies that have joined the Colorado Manufacturing Network by completing the Badge Verification process on Sustainment.
2024 Winner: Packaging Express
Packaging Express follows, standing as one of Colorado’s last independent custom box manufacturers. With over 25 years of history, this family-owned business takes pride in delivering custom packaging solutions at lightning speed, continuing a legacy that spans three generations.