January 2018
In this issue:
Upcoming Events
workshopsManufacturer's Edge Announces a Yearlong Series of Workshops
Join us as we spend 2018 exploring some of the radical innovations on the horizon
Sumer Sorensen-Bain, Chief of Programs and Operations
Technology is moving faster than you can imagine. Just look around your house, your car, and your office. For Christmas, my two kids wanted gifts that were, at first glance, retro-classics. One wanted a record player, the other asked for a Polaroid camera. It's so cool to see these familiar technologies, but they are no longer the way we remember them. The record player has a USB port to record your records directly into your computer to digitize the music. And it is Bluetooth compatible, of course. The Polaroid camera prints high-res images and has automatic settings for lighting. This is not your father's Polaroid! 
 
While it is great to see these old products return, they couldn't simply recycle the old versions. They had to be updated. They are new and improved. The record player and the camera both use new materials, new sensors, and new ideas to keep them relevant. These products are just two small examples of how technological advancement impacts product development.  
 
Similarly, game-changing discoveries, developments, and advancements are taking place all over the world and many of those innovations could easily be integrated into your workflow. As the Manufacturing Extension Partner for the state of Colorado, we are committed to keeping Colorado manufacturers informed with the latest cutting-edge info and access to the latest trends. We want to show you what is on the horizon so that you can anticipate the arrival and stay competitive. To that end, Manufacturer's Edge is pleased to announce a series of workshops to take place throughout 2018 where we will introduce a variety of new technologies that manufacturers can implement into their manufacturing processes and products. These workshops will cover everything from new materials such as composites, smart fibers and fabrics to new manufacturing processes, such as 3D printing and robotics. Topics of interest will also include radical new technologies that will change the way we live, such as flexible hybrid electronics, biopharmaceuticals, and biofabrication. 
 
Specific info will be announced in our monthly newsletter, through our social media channels, and on our website, so please stay tuned as details emerge on this year-long series.
 
Manufacturing today is not what it used to be. And that is cool! Let us help you stay ahead of the game by anticipating and preparing for the amazing innovations on the horizon.
 
In the meantime, please take a second to watch our exciting new video below to find out more about the Fourth Industrial Revolution (produced by ICOSA MEDIA). 
 
- Sumer Sorensen-Bain
Chief of Programs and Operations
Manufacturer's Edge 

Fourth Industrial Revolution (produced by ICOSA MEDIA)
The Org X process can be custom designed to meet your company's needs as you learn how to maximize your most valuable resource--your human capital 

Manufacturer's Edge Director of Organizational Excellence, Shane Barber, recently launched day one of a groundbreaking 5-day intensive Org X exploration.

A local manufacturing client contracted with Manufacturer's Edge to help them maximize their investment in their most valuable resource -- their human capital. Due to some specific time constraints, Barber was asked to adapt the Org X model, which usually takes months to complete, to a fast and furious 5-day intensive format. Never one to back down from a challenge, Barber immediately got to work and found a way to take all of the central components of Org X and perform a 360-degree analysis and exploration of the client's organizational structure, find their pain points, clarify roles and responsibilities, develop methods for rewards and incentives, etc. At the end of this 5-day project, the organization will have an entirely new set of tools by which they can streamline their staffing model, communicate more effectively, and motivate their employees and shareholders to work smarter rather than harder.

Whether you have months or only a few days, the Org X model can be custom designed to fit your needs and show you how to push your organization to the next level by converting your people power into a process capable, well-oiled machine. Find out more on our website and be sure to watch our Org X webinar for an excellent introduction to this revolutionary system.
eventsUpcoming Events
Visit our website for a complete calendar of
manufacturing events taking place around Colorado
#coactivatethecommons
Jan 22 @ 4-6pm
Join us for the opening reception of the #COActivateTheCommons Week at the Commons on Champa and help celebrate Colorado's outdoor recreation industry.

WTC Denver: A Beginner's Guide to Exporting & Importing
Jan 25 @ 2-3:30pm
WTC Denver will provide you with a comprehensive package of resources to help you get started exporting or importing.
Lean Academy
From Mfr Edge and Arapahoe Community College
6 weeks starting Feb 13
Learn and practice the foundational principles and tools of Lean in Manufacturing.