May 25, 2021

How Far We’ve Come: Manufacturing

As Colorado Springs looks back on its history during the city’s 150th anniversary this summer, take a peek at how far the manufacturing industry has come over the last decade. Colorado Springs boasts entrepreneurial assist programs, a growing veteran workforce from surrounding military installations, low-cost utility services, and tailored incentives. With an 11,550+ workforce, manufacturing continues to grow as an innovative and changing industry in the region.

There are a handful of manufacturing companies that have made waves in the region, including Titan Robotics, dpiX, and Jaxon Engineering. Continue reading for more industry profile highlights in Colorado Springs.

Manufacturing Companies to Watch in Colorado Springs

Named a 2020 Colorado Company to Watch—chosen out of nearly 1,000 nominees—Distillery 291’s whiskeys are one of the most awarded Colorado spirits. The spirits have gained recognition from World Whiskies Awards, New York International Spirits Competition, and more. In 2020, the team expanded the availability of their whiskeys from a few key markets to retail outlets in 43% of the U.S., as well as adding e-commerce available to 40 states.

In early 2021, Distillery 291 moved its production facility and tasting room from its Ivywild neighborhood home of over nine years to a new location just north of downtown. This expanded Distillery 291’s operational facility from 7,500 square feet to 12,000 and will increase production from six whiskey barrels per week to 12 per week.

Distillery 291 announced in April 2021 they will now work with LibDib as their Colorado distributor after 10 years of robust self-distribution in their home market. Colorado restaurants, bars and retailers will also now be able to purchase 291 Colorado Whiskey via LibDib’s website or mobile app.

Another company to be on the lookout for in Colorado Springs is Swire Coca-Cola USA. The Coca-Cola bottler for Colorado and 12 other Western states is moving into a 145,000-square-foot distribution center which will open in 2022 near the Colorado Springs Airport. The company plans to collect one bottle or can for each one sold and raise the recycled content of its packaging to 50% by 2030, while making the packaging 100% recyclable by 2025.

The Peak Innovation Park at the Colorado Springs Airport

The Peak Innovation Park at the Colorado Springs Airport offers spacious opportunities for companies looking to expand. Located minutes from downtown Colorado Springs, the airport is a joint military and commercial facility, has FedEx Express Cargo on site, and no-fee U.S. Customs Services.

The airport’s Commercial Aeronautical Zone allows all local sales and use taxes, with some exemptions, to be abated for companies operating within the zone. The airport is also a state-recognized Aviation Development Zone, allowing businesses involved in aircraft manufacturing or maintenance to qualify for a state income tax credit of $1,200 per net new full-time employee. With one of the largest Foreign Trade Zones in the country, the Pikes Peak region offers big benefits for companies looking to import or export parts.

Some examples of companies within this zone include: Sierra Nevada Corporation, Collins Aerospace, The Aerospace Corp., and Ball Aerospace. In fall of 2020, The Aerospace Corp broke ground on their new state-of-the-art research and development center which will be the focal point for delivering technical expertise across the space enterprise to outpace threats to national security.

Contact us to learn about why Colorado Springs is the perfect place to bring your business, especially in the manufacturing fields.