Swisslog Healthcare Welcomes Boulder Chamber Manufacturing Group to Its Facility
Swisslog Healthcare, a leading provider of pharmacy and transport automation solutions, recently hosted the Boulder Area Manufacturing Sector Partnership’s first quarterly meeting of 2026 at its Broomfield facility. The event brought together regional manufacturers, public-sector representatives, and workforce development leaders to discuss shared priorities, explore innovative solutions, and strengthen collaboration across the Boulder-area manufacturing ecosystem.
The gathering not only served as a strategic forum for discussion but also offered attendees an opportunity to experience cutting-edge automation technologies firsthand. By opening its doors, Swisslog Healthcare reinforced its commitment to advancing both innovation and community engagement within the manufacturing sector.
A Collaborative Platform for Regional Growth
The Boulder Area Manufacturing Sector Partnership continues to play a critical role in uniting stakeholders from across the manufacturing landscape. The quarterly meeting provided a platform for industry professionals and public partners to exchange insights, identify challenges, and align on strategies that will support sustainable growth in the region.
Matt Wiggins, Assistant Vice President of Economic Vitality & Special Projects at the Boulder Chamber, emphasized the importance of collaboration in addressing industry-wide issues. He noted that partnerships like this create meaningful opportunities for organizations to work together toward common goals.
“These collaborative sessions help strengthen our manufacturing community and develop solutions for shared challenges across the region,” Wiggins said, expressing appreciation for Swisslog Healthcare’s role in hosting the event.
By facilitating open dialogue between private and public entities, the partnership ensures that manufacturers have access to the tools, resources, and networks necessary to remain competitive in an evolving economic environment.
Marking a Milestone Year for the Partnership
The 2026 kickoff meeting also marked an important milestone as the Boulder Area Manufacturing Sector Partnership enters its fourth year of operations. Over the past several years, the initiative has grown into a cornerstone of regional economic development, helping to bridge gaps between industry needs and public-sector resources.
As the partnership looks ahead, its priorities for 2026 are clearly defined. These include building a strong and sustainable workforce pipeline, improving access to operational support resources, and strengthening connections between manufacturers and key public partners in workforce development, economic policy, and education.
Participants discussed the importance of proactive planning and long-term investment in talent development. With manufacturing roles becoming increasingly specialized, companies must adopt forward-thinking approaches to ensure they can meet future workforce demands.
Swisslog Healthcare’s Commitment to Community and Innovation
Swisslog Healthcare’s involvement in the partnership underscores its broader commitment to supporting the regional manufacturing ecosystem. By hosting the meeting, the company provided attendees with a unique opportunity to engage directly with advanced automation solutions in a real-world setting.
Cathy McKinney, Director of Operations at Swisslog Healthcare, highlighted the organization’s dedication to both innovation and community collaboration.
“Swisslog Healthcare is happy to be part of the manufacturing and business community in the greater Denver area,” McKinney said. “By hosting events like this, we not only showcase our innovative solutions but also contribute to building a stronger, more collaborative manufacturing ecosystem that benefits the entire region.”
Her remarks reflect the company’s belief that innovation extends beyond products and technologies—it also includes fostering relationships and contributing to collective progress within the industry.
Addressing Workforce Challenges Through Inclusion
One of the central themes of the meeting was workforce development, particularly the need to address labor shortages and build a more inclusive talent pipeline. A standout presentation by Jeff Sidders of the Colorado Department of Labor & Employment’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation focused on the untapped potential of workers with disabilities.
Sidders shared compelling statistics, noting that approximately 35% of students have a disability, while unemployment rates among individuals with disabilities are roughly double those of individuals without disabilities. These figures highlight both the challenges and the opportunities facing employers in today’s labor market.
He emphasized that inclusive hiring practices can play a significant role in addressing workforce shortages. By creating accessible workplaces and actively recruiting from diverse talent pools, manufacturers can not only fill critical roles but also improve employee retention and reduce recruitment costs.
Inclusive hiring, Sidders explained, is not just a social responsibility—it is a strategic advantage. Companies that embrace diversity often benefit from increased innovation, stronger team dynamics, and enhanced organizational resilience.
Leveraging Technology for Workforce Development
In addition to workforce inclusion, the meeting explored how emerging technologies are reshaping manufacturing training and development. Scott Prindle and Dave Moore of Spatial Matters delivered an engaging presentation on the role of spatial computing in modern manufacturing environments.
Their session demonstrated how technologies such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) can transform traditional training methods. By providing immersive, interactive learning experiences, these tools enable employees to gain hands-on skills in a safe and controlled environment.
For manufacturers, the benefits are significant. Spatial computing can accelerate onboarding processes, improve knowledge retention, and reduce training costs. It also allows companies to simulate complex scenarios, helping workers develop critical problem-solving skills without the risks associated with real-world operations.
As the manufacturing sector continues to evolve, the adoption of digital tools and advanced technologies will be essential for maintaining competitiveness. The insights shared during the presentation highlighted the importance of embracing innovation as a key driver of workforce development.
Hands-On Experience with Advanced Automation
A defining feature of the event was the opportunity for attendees to tour Swisslog Healthcare’s manufacturing facility. The guided tour offered a behind-the-scenes look at the company’s operations and showcased the practical applications of automation in healthcare settings.
Participants were particularly impressed by the hands-on demonstration of the Pneumatic Tube Transport System. This advanced solution is designed to streamline hospital workflows by rapidly transporting critical materials such as medications, laboratory samples, and documents.
By significantly reducing transport times, the system enhances efficiency and supports improved patient care outcomes. The demonstration provided attendees with a tangible example of how automation can address real-world challenges and deliver measurable benefits.
Experiencing the technology in action allowed participants to better understand its impact and potential applications within their own organizations. It also reinforced the value of innovation in driving operational excellence across industries.
Strengthening Connections Between Industry and Public Partners
Another key takeaway from the meeting was the importance of collaboration between industry and public-sector organizations. By working together, these groups can develop comprehensive solutions to complex challenges, from workforce shortages to economic development.
The Boulder Area Manufacturing Sector Partnership serves as a vital bridge between these stakeholders, facilitating communication and ensuring alignment on shared goals. Through initiatives like this, manufacturers gain access to valuable resources, including training programs, funding opportunities, and policy support.
At the same time, public partners benefit from direct insights into industry needs, enabling them to design more effective programs and initiatives. This collaborative approach creates a win-win scenario, fostering growth and resilience across the entire manufacturing ecosystem.
Looking Ahead: Building a Resilient Manufacturing Ecosystem
As the event concluded, participants left with a renewed sense of purpose and a clear vision for the future. The discussions and presentations underscored the importance of collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity in shaping the next phase of manufacturing growth in the Boulder region.
The partnership’s focus on workforce development, technological advancement, and cross-sector collaboration positions it well to address emerging challenges and seize new opportunities. By continuing to build strong relationships and invest in forward-thinking strategies, the region is poised to remain a leader in manufacturing excellence.
Swisslog Healthcare’s role in hosting the meeting highlights how industry leaders can contribute to this vision. By providing a platform for collaboration and showcasing innovative solutions, the company is helping to drive progress not only within its own operations but across the broader manufacturing community.
Ultimately, the success of initiatives like the Boulder Area Manufacturing Sector Partnership depends on the collective efforts of all stakeholders. Through continued engagement and shared commitment, the region can build a more dynamic, inclusive, and resilient manufacturing ecosystem—one that is equipped to thrive in an ever-changing global landscape.
About Swisslog Healthcare
Swisslog Healthcare provides pharmacy workflow automations through robotic solutions and operational technology that enable hospitals and health systems to assist providers in treating patients across the continuum of care. Integrating transport and pharmacy automation, value-added services, and intelligent software, Swisslog Healthcare enables healthcare providers to respond to patients’ needs quickly and with greater accuracy. The company minimizes many sources of operational waste, so providers achieve higher levels of productivity to impact the well-being of patients in positive ways.
About the Boulder Chamber of Commerce
The Boulder Chamber is a leader that strengthens business and advances economic vitality to cultivate strong communities in the Boulder region. With over 120 years of dedicated service to its members and the Boulder community, the Boulder Chamber’s flagship programs work together on behalf of members and the community to holistically elevate the region’s vitality. Whether you’re looking for economic data, help navigating—or advocating—local policy, or something else entirely, Your Chamber does that
