June 19, 2018

Supply chain, tariffs, labor all issues for manufacturers

Attending the BizWest CEO Roundtable on manufacturing were, front row from left, Nick Roe, Hub International; George Newman, Front Range Community College; Sabrina Nowling, Elevations Credit Union; Bryan Watkins, Elevations Credit Union; Matt Morgan, Paradigm Research Optics; Jim Sampson, Hub International. Back row from left, Garth Rummery, Tharp Cabinets; Dean Herl, Noffsinger Manufacturing; Jim Clay, Advance Tank; Paul Harter, Aqua-Hot; Bart Prins, Water Pik; Mike Grell, EKS&H; Bob Walker, Walker Manufacturing; Terry Precht, Vergent Products. Not pictured Tim Reeser, Lightning Systems. BizWest photo by Ken Amundson
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FORT COLLINS — Supply-chain issues, labor shortages and the impact of tariffs have bedeviled the manufacturing industry in Northern Colorado. Chief executive officers of manufacturing companies compared notes at the BizWest CEO Roundtable this morning.

But while the issues are extremely difficult, the industry generally is performing well. “This wagon is rolling downhill,” said Paul Harter, CEO of Frederick-based Aqua-Hot Heating Systems Inc. and an outspoken advocate for the Northern Colorado Manufacturing Partnership. “We just need to steer it,” he said.

Supply chain

The manufacturers noted that multiple factors are at play affecting the ability for local companies to…

Ken Amundson is managing editor of BizWest. He has lived in Loveland and reported on issues in the region since 1987. Prior to Colorado, he reported and edited for news organizations in Minnesota and Iowa. He's a parent of two and grandparent of four, all of whom make their homes on the Front Range. A news junkie at heart, he also enjoys competitive sports, especially the Rapids.
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