Codi is a second-generation, veteran-owned manufacturer, based in Colorado for over 30 years, and with customers in 52 countries.
To meet market demand, we recently expanded into a new, 100,000 sq. ft. facility in Littleton.
Our customers trust us again and again because we deliver what we promise: robust equipment, built with precision and delivered on time.
Jared Jones, CEO
The Codi Way
Q&A with Jared Jones
Q: What makes Codi’s approach to power distribution unique?
A: Most companies in this space come from the electrical side and try to scale into manufacturing. We’re the opposite—we’ve been a manufacturer for 30 years. From design to ERP to the shop floor, manufacturing is our DNA. We’ve already been accepted into two OEM breaker programs. That shows people see something different in us. Others may know power better, but we back it with decades of proven manufacturing expertise. We also give customers transparency. Too many suppliers say “8–10 weeks” and miss it by double. We’d rather give you the honest number, even if it costs us the job. If something slips, you’ll know early. We’re even revamping our ERP to give near real-time status—think a pizza tracker for UL 891 switchboards. And because we’re vertically integrated, we can do more than gray boxes. Powder coat to match a building. Stainless enclosures that don’t rust when scratched. Engineered-to-order designs that solve real problems. Premium quality, honest communication, fair value—that’s our space.
Q: Talk about Codi’s manufacturing.
A: We invest in automation but it’s not always about spending the most—it’s about making the smartest buy. When relocating to Littleton, we were told our laser would be down 60 days. We couldn’t allow the downtime. So we bought a new Amada Ventis with a loader tower—four times faster, quarter of the power, automated handling. Right decision. To process copper bus, instead of a pricey inline system, we bought used Amada punch. Bulletproof, quick to program, and dual-purpose. Sometimes frugal is smart. Other times, we buy top-end—like press brakes that hold tighter bends, so assemblies fit perfectly. That’s our approach: know when to save, know when and where to invest, and design manufacturing into the product. That’s why our tolerances are tighter, our assemblies cleaner, our boards stronger. People will look at our systems and say, “No way they’re building at this quality and staying competitive.” But we are. That’s the Codi Way.
Q: Lead time is critical. How does Codi shorten it?
A: We learned by contract manufacturing for other UL 891 producers—building their enclosures, punching their copper, running their projects. That gave us real data on times and processes. We pre-engineer in 3D so approvals are faster. Assembly is streamlined with tab-and-slot designs. We stock common breakers and shunt trips so we can pivot quickly. We keep 20% extra capacity to surge when something goes wrong in the field. It all comes together: upfront engineering, integrated ERP, smart manufacturing, built-in capacity, stocked parts. That’s how we hold lead times and still deliver premium quality.
Q: Specific to UL 891, what makes Codi’s products unique?
A: Our designs are premium by default. Tab-and-slot bends self-align, so parts fit faster and tighter. Hex bends stiffen vertical columns, add tolerance for misalignment, and even create new routing options. And we don’t settle for gray boxes. We can powder coat in custom colors or build in stainless. Why ruin a beautiful building with a cheap enclosure that rusts? Premium doesn’t have to be out of reach. We also think about installers—cable entry, brackets, room for expansion. Ease of installation reduces headaches, keeps schedules on track, and builds trust. That’s the Codi Way.
Q: How do you attract and keep good people at Codi?
A: People like challenges. Most want to do their best, and here, we put responsibility in their hands. We say, “You want this? It’s yours to lose.” Nobody’s above anyone else. If I can sweep, you can sweep. That camaraderie matters. Expectations are high both ways—leaders push hard, but they also advocate for their people. One of my favorite visual metaphors is the “birds on a post.” In most companies, management looks down and sees shit, employees look up and see assholes. We don’t operate like that. If someone needs help, leadership shows up. Our golden rule: I’ll never ask you to do something I wouldn’t do myself. That approachs attracts talent. Some people plateau, some climb—we make room for both. We also invest in the community—trade schools, internships, materials. Not everyone belongs in college or in debt. We show them another path: engineering, manufacturing, design. That’s how we build our team.
Q: Why do customers keep coming back to Codi? What’s your philosophy on sales?
A: For us, sales isn’t pressure. It’s understanding your customer and having a conversation. In 2014, when we entered craft automation, we had no connections. Same with power distribution now. So we asked questions to potential clients: What are your pain points? Quality issues? Delivery problems? Because at Coid sales is about listening, not pitching. I believe in low-pressure sales. Do we lose deals because of it? Sure. But I’d rather earn trust than hound people. Do good work, deliver what you say, stand behind it. That builds word of mouth, and people carry you with them when they change jobs. Everyone says you can only pick two: fast, quality, price. We don’t play that game. Our sales philosophy is integrity. Ask yourself: would this be acceptable to me? If not, fix it. Everybody screws up—it’s how you recover that matters. That’s the Codi Way.
Q: After more than 30 years, where do you see Codi’s future and legacy?
A: Honestly, I’m still humbled by what we’ve built. People ask what I do, and I say, “I work for a little family business.” Then they look us up and say, “Holy shit, this isn’t small at all.” The truth is, I love it. I love designing and building equipment. That’s what drives me. Yes, we’ve had acquisition offers, but the question is: what does that mean for me, for the team? We want to keep pushing, keep innovating. We’re not just making gray boxes—we’re automation people, and that gives us a different aptitude. I think we’re in the middle of a second industrial revolution—the digitization age. It’s moving fast, and we’re in it to win it. But it has to stay fun. High expectations, but lighthearted. I’m proud to be second generation. My dad endured the pain of starting this business; mine was continuing the legacy through dramatic shifts in the market. Now I’ve got three kids, a niece, a nephew—seeing them around the shop means everything. Same with longtime employees who’ve made careers here and now bring in their kids. That’s legacy. Codi has always been outside the box. That’s who I am, and that’s who we are as a business. While I’m here, we’ll keep building, keep innovating, keep having fun with it. That’s the Codi Way.
