About the Event
On Thursday, February 5th, the Boulder Area Manufacturing Sector Partnership convened its Q1 2026 meeting at Swisslog Healthcare, bringing together local manufacturing professionals and public partners to review resources and discuss strategic priorities for the Boulder/Broomfield manufacturing sector.
Kicking off the year, the group reflected on the partnership’s progress since its launch in 2023 and shared highlights from 2025. As the partnership enters its fourth year of operations, key focus areas include continuing to cultivate a strong workforce pipeline for the next generation of manufacturing talent, connecting industry professionals to resources for operational challenges and supply chain navigation, as well as facilitating connections between industry and public partners in workforce, economic development, and policy.
Spotlight on Speakers
Jeff Sidders | Colorado Department of Labor & Employment
Jeff Sidders of the Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation’s Business Relations Unit (BRU) highlighted services that connect employers with qualified candidates with disabilities. A clear highlight was the critical importance of inclusive hiring practices, with Sidders sharing the following statistics:
- 35% of all students (K–12 and postsecondary) have a disability (National Center on Education Statistics)
- Around 20% of the global population thinks, perceives, communicates and interacts with the world around them in ways that are outside of traditional societal norms and expectations – meaning, they are Neurodivergent (Gallup Poll)
- Unemployment for individuals with disabilities is roughly double that of those without (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Proactive strategies for hiring and retaining employees with disabilities or neurodivergence not only help address workforce shortages but also can reduce turnover and recruitment costs and accelerate innovation through new perspectives and abilities.
Scott Prindle & Dave Moore | Spatial Matters
Prindle and Moore from Spatial Matters presented on the emerging role of spatial computing in manufacturing. Spatial computing allows users to immerse themselves in a virtual representation of real-world environments, interacting with 3D objects rather than simply observing them.
For manufacturing, this technology offers significant advantages for training and workforce development:
- Provides an immersive overview
- Improves safety by familiarizing workers with equipment and hazards before hands-on exposure
- Enables repeatable, standardized instruction
- Enhances spatial awareness without physical risk before entering the production floor
Learn more about Spatial Matters here.
Swisslog Healthcare & Tour
To wrap up the session, Swisslog Healthcare hosted a tour of its manufacturing facility, highlighting its advanced automation systems. A key feature was the Pneumatic Tube Transport System, which streamlines hospital workflows by significantly reducing transport times for critical materials such as blood. Attendees took part in a hands-on demonstration, sending carriers through pneumatic tubes, and gained insight into how Swisslog Healthcare’s broader suite of solutions, including Pneumatic Tube Transport and Pharmacy Automation, improves efficiency and patient care outcomes across healthcare settings.
Learn more about Swisslog Healthcare here.
