By Steve Swinney, Board Member
Members of the Colorado Chamber of Commerce know how important it is to take steps to strengthen Colorado’s economy, and this October, as the Chamber celebrates manufacturing in Colorado, I’m encouraging other business leaders throughout the state to consider the impact continuous improvement (CI) projects can have on their business, and on the state’s economy as a whole.
What changes have you made recently to positively impact your bottom line? A better equipment layout, a more efficient workflow, a simpler way to track orders – these aren’t just productivity tweaks; they’re the building blocks of a stronger, more sustainable operation.
This commitment to making incremental changes that create cost savings and other business gains is what fuels continuous improvement (CI), not only for Colorado’s manufacturing community, but for the state’s economy as a whole.
CI in Action
Continuous improvement isn’t about fancy corporate initiatives handed down from the top. It’s about empowering the people who know the work best to identify test solutions and find better, faster ways to get the job done.
Take a recent example: my team noticed production delays that seemed to stem from a staffing issue. But when we dug deeper, we discovered the real culprit was inefficient equipment layout. By reconfiguring the floor, we eliminated bottlenecks and saved $180,000 annually—without hiring a single additional person.
That’s CI in action. It starts with gaining clarity about a problem, inviting the people closest to the work to participate in finding a solution, testing theories, implementing changes and tracking metrics to ensure the results measure up. Whether it’s on-time delivery rates, order accuracy or cycle times, data reveals what’s working and where to look next.
The CI Advantage in Colorado
In 2024, manufacturing contributed approximately $29.4 billion to Colorado’s economy. If more companies across the state invest in the principles behind CI, Colorado’s economy will benefit through:
- Workforce advancement: CI empowers front-line workers with autonomy and a voice in shaping daily processes.
- Sustained results: Fixing root causes instead of symptoms creates lasting ROI and operational stability.
- Higher economic output: When operations run smoother, everyone benefits—from job satisfaction and safety to stronger business performance.
Building a Culture of Progress for Manufacturing in Colorado
The real power of CI isn’t in any single improvement—it’s in creating a culture where progress never stops. When everyone, from leadership to the shop floor, feels empowered to identify issues and propose solutions, improvement becomes part of who we are.
At Kodiak, we’ve seen this firsthand with tools like daily management boards and Pareto charts that help teams prioritize the highest-impact opportunities. These aren’t just metrics for managers. They’re tools for collaboration and alignment across the organization.
The Local Advantage
Manufacturing plays a vital role in Colorado’s economy. When we invest in continuous improvement, we’re investing in stable jobs, skilled careers and a manufacturing presence we can rely on for decades to come.
A CI mindset builds resilience—helping businesses adapt, grow and create lasting value for Colorado’s workers, companies and communities.
Learn more about how the Colorado Chamber of Commerce is celebrating manufacturing in Colorado: https://cochamber.com/2025/10/09/governor-polis-declares-october-as-colorado-manufacturing-month/
Learn more about all the advantages of using a continuous improvement mindset at Kodiakbp.com
About Steve
Steve Swinney is a member of the Colorado Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and CEO of Kodiak Building Partners, a leader in the building materials industry that manages locally led companies, which Steve co-founded in 2011. Kodiak employees 6,700 employees nationwide, including 900 in Colorado, and generates around $3 billion in revenue annually. Before founding Kodiak, Steve worked in financial planning and analysis, supporting mergers and acquisitions, investor relations, budgeting and long-range financial planning functions for a variety of companies.