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 […]
Colorado companies make a lot of cool stuff, but it’s hard to beat what United Launch Alliance is building from its Greenwood Village- based headquarters. This past Saturday ULA’s GPS IIF-11 mission lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, hitting a 30 minute or so launch window after being delayed a day due to technical issues. […]
Pete Wagner and his merry band of ski makers call southwest Colorado home, Placerville, to be precise, on State Highway 145, the road into Telluride. Wagner Custom Skis will make around 1,500 pair of tailored boards this year, steady if ‘managed’ growth for one of the dozens of innovative outdoor gear and apparel manufacturers who […]
For the 25 companies ‘pitching’ to the judging panel at the 11th annual Naturally Boulder Pitch Slam & Party, the questions came fast and followed a pattern: “What’s the SRP (suggested retail price) and the shelf-life of your product?” “Where do you manufacture? What’s the long term plan?” “Where do you experience your highest (retail) […]
Since launching CompanyWeek in 2013 and CompanyWeek Utah a year later, we’ve profiled more than 400 manufacturing companies in the Rocky Mountain west. What’s emerged is a clearer picture of challenges and opportunities that frame the development of a modern manufacturing economy — and a blueprint for how communities can foster a robust and growing […]
Eric Peterson’s terrific profile of Rubadue Wire and CEO Sue Welsh serves the much-needed purpose of shining a light on one of Colorado’s most accomplished manufacturers. It’s also segue to a worthy topic, that of the profound influence of leading women in Colorado manufacturing. Welsh’s story is noteworthy because she leads a growth company in […]
The Food Corridor, Ashley Colpaart’s food-tech startup, is also the topic of her dissertation at Colorado State University, but to suggest it’s only an intellectual exercise would miss the point entirely. “I’ve worked in the food realm all my life,” she told me as she was boarding a plane to San Francisco to present at […]
There’s a line that separates artisans from manufacturers. It varies industry to industry but those who cross it describe the telltale sign similarly. One night you go to bed a hobbyist and wake up a manufacturer, having spent a sleepless night wondering how in hell you’re going to make more. Game on. Welcome to manufacturing. […]
Since CompanyWeek debuted two years ago this week, we’ve shined a light on 400 or so manufacturers, chronicled the policy efforts to support them (some good, some bad), and served as an advocate for manufacturing even as business voices debate the so-called manufacturing renaissance. Here’s six takeaways from two years in business that also shape […]