by Ali Recek, Director of Key Initiatives
November 19, 2020
Recently, the Manufacturer’s Edge team had the pleasure of teaming up with three staff members from Congressman Joe Neguse’s Office to host a manufacturing forum. Tom Bugnitz, CEO of Manufacturer’s Edge moderated the virtual roundtable discussion with six members of the manufacturing community from Colorado’s District 2 to talk about how the pandemic has affected them during this period.
One northern Colorado manufacturing company that specializes in imprinted products and employs 25 people with a 60,000 sq. ft. facility had to stop manufacturing for 5 days because they were not sure that they could be designated as a critical business. Manufacturer’s Edge helped them secure the necessary designation by looking at their customer base, many of whom perform critical functions. The United Parcel Service, for example, needed an increased quantity of uniforms to keep up with the delivery of important packages worldwide. Similarly, the U.S. Armed Forces needed their orders of long underwear produced with a reflective waistband logo. They also met the requirements necessary for social distancing due to their low employee count and large square footage. The ability to prove their business as critical and responsible sustained the organization and impacted them in a positive way.
Another story came from a Boulder-based structural engineering and manufacturing company that had several projects canceled or postponed indefinitely due to governments needing to perform only projects deemed as necessary. Unanticipated factors, like the slowing of the tourism industry in one state, caused the state to “put the brakes” on a bridge project. We have heard similar stories from manufacturers around the state of Colorado, who provide structures in National and State Parks for example, whose orders have been put on hold due to the slow down of tourism and traveling.
This open roundtable discussion provided Congressman Neguse’s office the opportunity to hear stories from a variety of manufacturing companies. From the emotional rollercoaster of caring for the safety of their workforce, to keeping the machines running, to realizing the “how” in surviving the COVID 19 pandemic…keeps us all guessing. Somehow, just having the opportunity to tell their story to people who care, seems to make a meaningful difference.
Working with our legislators to provide voices and stories from Colorado’s manufacturing community is a crucial part of our mission. Every story is significant, and we want to make sure your voice is heard! Please let us know if you would like to be involved in a conversation with your Congressional Representative. We are here to help!
