Barber-Nichols Named Aerospace Manufacturer of the Year 2022

“Thanks to our amazing employees. We have 180 employees at Barber-Nichols now, and they’re the backbone of our business,” said President and CEO Matthew Malone. “It takes everyone — the customers, the employees, and the public — to make a successful business.”

Winners Announced in 2022 Colorado Manufacturing Awards

The state’s diverse manufacturing ecosystem was on full display  in the seventh annual event

Manufacturing’s modern personality was on full display in Denver last week as winners were announced in the 2022 Colorado Manufacturing Awards (CMAs). The seventh annual program recognizes manufacturers and people across multiple manufacturing industries. The CMAs are co-presented by CompanyWeek and Colorado MEP Manufacturers Edge.

Finalists traveled to the Cable Center on the University of Denver campus from Durango, Montrose, Fort Collins and Pueblo, Palisade, and Grand Junction, in addition to metro Denver, to take part in a celebration of Colorado’s sector that also worked to challenge some of manufacturing’s stubborn stereotypes.

The sector’s deep bench of influential women was evident throughout the program: past CMA winners April Archer (Sarabella Fishing), Beth Smith (Sticker Giant), and Andrea Collins (Eldon James), appeared on video to congratulate finalists in the CMA’s three award categories – Achievement,  Consumer, and Industrial products.

Winners announced by CMA sponsors reflected the diversity of sector leadership: Crystal Barrios accepted on behalf of Laws Whiskey House, the Craft Distillery of the Year winner; Karen Hertz, founder of Craft Brewery of the Year winner Holidaily Brewing Company enthusiastically toasted employees and other finalists in the category; ActivArmor’s Diana Hall was named Colorado Manufacturing Woman of the year, and Meghan Marsden claimed the trophy for Innovative Product of the Year winner Veil Intimates.

Other themes that emerged from the powerhouse list of winners included the outdoor industry’s sustained hammerlock on Consumer Brand of the Year, with Grand Junction’s Mountain Racing Products taking top honors. Arvada’s Barber-Nichols defended its 2021 CMA by again winning Aerospace Manufacturer of the Year. And consumer favorite Bobo’s was rewarded for its manufacturing prowess by claiming the important Food Brand/Co-Packer of the Year CMA.

Here is the complete list of winners.

Achievement Group

Advanced Machining & Manufacturing Award

Hirsh Precision, Boulder

  Colorado Manufacturing Woman of the Year

Diana Hall, ActivArmor

 Innovative Product of the Year           

Veil Intimates, Denver

Consumer Group

 Consumer Brand of the Year   

Mountain Racing Products, Grand Junction

Food Brand/Co-Packer Manufacturer of the Year       

Bobo’s, Boulder

Colorado Winery of the Year   

Sauvage Spectrum, Palisade

Craft Distillery of the Year

Laws Whiskey House, Denver

Cannabis Manufacturer of the Year

ECS Brands, Boulder

Craft Brewery of the Year

Holidaily Brewing Co., Golden

Industrial Group

Building/Construction Manufacturer of the Year

Studio Shed, Louisville

Aerospace Manufacturer of the Year  

Barber-Nichols, Arvada

Bioscience Manufacturer of the Year  

AlloSource, Centennial

Industrial/Equipment Manufacturer of the Year

Right Stuff Equipment, Denver

Energy/Transportation Manufacturer of the Year

Solid Power, Louisville

The Colorado Manufacturing Awards are co-sponsored by JPM Chase, IMA, Kaiser Permanente, Moss Adams, Neenan Archistruction, Benchmark Commercial, the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade, and H2 Manufacturing Solutions.