Colorado roots, national impact. We are Manufacturer’s Edge, Colorado’s official MEP Center and dedicated partner to manufacturers across our state and beyond.
As Colorado’s official Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Center, we provide onsite support, strategy, planning, training, and technical assistance to manufacturers of all sizes. Colorado’s unique manufacturing landscape has given us experience across industries. Our clients drive technology development, creativity, and new products, and we work closely with them to make sure their work reaches its intended audience. Local insights, diverse experience, and true dedication to providing manufacturers support – use the support we provide to empower your decisions as you continue to grow and improve the manufacturing landscape.
The MEP National Network is a unique public-private partnership that delivers comprehensive, proven solutions to U.S. manufacturers, fueling growth and advancing U.S. manufacturing. Focused on helping manufacturers generate business results and thrive in today’s technology-driven economy, the MEP National Network comprises the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST MEP), 51 MEP Centers located in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, and its 1,300 trusted advisors and experts at nearly 600 MEP service locations, providing any U.S. manufacturer with access to resources they need to succeed.
We partner strategically with other dedicated organizations that can provide resources, training, and more to the Colorado manufacturing community.
As a non-profit organization, our founding sponsors allow us to expand our services and reach more manufacturers, especially in rural areas and underserved communities.
Our strategic partnerships create a deep and active connection between local businesses and the tools and resources needed to thrive locally, nationally, and abroad.
We work closely with our economic development partners to attract and retain businesses – together we ensure that manufacturers in each region have access to the resources they need to succeed
By partnering with industry groups and trade associations, we are able to closely monitor emerging trends and developments to better position our clients for future success
Favorite project helping a manufacturer:
Can I ditto Tracey’s answer?? 🙂
What do you love about your role?
The satisfaction of accurately reporting the financial side of our business and keeping us in good standing with our Federal Funders. Also, the amazing people on this team that I get to work with every day.
How would your teammates describe you?
Quiet, level headed, reliable
Ed Olivo is the Director of Workforce & Community Partnerships for Manufacturers Edge. He has over 40 years of experience in manufacturing, supply chain, and operations, including a 23-year stint in Asia working with manufacturers and companies from all over the world. He is also a published author and small business owner.
Favorite project helping a manufacturer:
Watching so many manufacturer’s go from zero to sixty and knowing Manufacturer’s EDGE was a huge part of it.
What do you love about your role?
Representing Manufacturer’s EDGE; our team is awesome and our clients are great to work with and such incredible people.
How would your teammates describe you?
Innovative and fun!
Favorite project helping a manufacturer:
My favorite projects with manufacturers are the ones where we have a chance to get to know the company, the business, and the people and are able to bring resources to needs seen and unseen. The manufacturer that started because they loved making things and now, due to their own success, have found themselves making money and having to run a business that needs to add employees, scale operations, and deal with the every-day challenges, but are still using spreadsheets to manage data and want to keep their culture and their people – these are my favorite clients.
What do you love about your role?
Everything. After having worked in the private sector, federal and state government, and at a university, I can honestly say that serving as the COO for Manufacturer’s Edge is the most fun I have ever had at work. I love that in my role I get to help lead a non-profit with a mission that runs like a business with a team of smart, talented, and interesting individuals with
diverse workstyles and personalities that are each valued for the unique perspectives and solutions they bring to our work every day.
How would your teammates describe you?
Passionate, determined, protective, assertive and resourceful (alternatively, “the one you call when you have one call.”)
Favorite project helping a manufacturer:
I wouldn’t be able to single out just one. I love seeing the impactful results our clients receive and knowing we helped their business in a variety of ways. It makes the manufacturing community that much stronger in Colorado.
What do you love about your role?
My role allows me to have insight to all aspects of our business and what our company can and does provide to manufacturers. I feel I learn something new each week!
How would your teammates describe you?
Reliable, honest, and loves to have fun!
With over three decades of manufacturing engineering, automation and operations experience, Alex is passionate about helping small and mid-sized manufacturers thrive. His background spans the consumer electronics, automotive, medical and aerospace industries across the US, Europe, and Asia. He holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a MS in Engineering Management from the University of Dayton.
Favorite project helping a manufacturer:
Developing a solution with a food manufacturer that improved their HR processes, resulting in better onboarding and hiring practices that reduced turnover by 50%.
What do you love about your role?
The challenge of finding just the right resources that can meet our client’s problems head on; turning a “How do I do this?” moment into a “That is just what I need!” moment.
How would your teammates describe you?
A versatile supporter: according to my MBTI report.
Favorite project helping a manufacturer:
Even though I don’t have a lot of direct interaction with manufacturers, I love knowing that what I do supports the health of the manufacturing industry and the Colorado economy!
What do you love about your role?
Spreadsheets, spreadsheets, spreadsheets! (I’m not kidding.)
How would your teammates describe you?
Baker extraordinaire
