Sacramento, Calif. – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) welcomed Tandem PV, an innovative solar energy startup, to the organization today. The Silicon Valley startup is leading the charge to develop and commercialize a more powerful and...
News & Insights
We’re changing the narrative of the manufacturing industry one story at a time. CMTA’s award-winning storytelling team showcases California’s 30,000 manufacturers by uplifting the voices of our makers. Find industry news and the stories from those “Making California” below.
Digital Consultancy Firm Hitachi Digital Services Joins CMTA
Sacramento, Calif. – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) welcomed Hitachi Digital Services to the organization today. Hitachi Digital Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi Ltd., is an edge-to-core digital consultancy and...
Manufacturing Minute: Siemens Mobility Selected to Manufacture Trains for High-Speed Rail Project
This week's Manufacturing Minute brings forth exciting developments shaping the future of the nation's high-speed rail ambitions and industry growth in the Golden State. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MpVhnc_AOI Siemens High-Speed Rail Project Siemens Mobility, a...
Fremont Economic Development Department Partners with CMTA in First-of-its-Kind Collaboration
This is the first city partnership in CMTA history. Sacramento, Calif. – In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, the California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) and the City of Fremont’s Economic Development Department are entering a private-public...
‘This could really impact the manufacturing sector right here in California’: Study Says Manufacturing in U.S. Could Need Up to 3.8 Million Workers
Sacramento, Calif. – As many as 3.8 million manufacturing jobs will need to be filled in the next decade as the industry continues to advance post-pandemic, according to a new study by Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute. California Manufacturers and Technology...
Profile Series: Meet Beau Huiskens, the CEO of Taurus Fabrication
In our latest Profile Series highlighting the incredible leaders behind California’s manufacturers, discover the story behind the success of a California manufacturing business rooted in generations of craftsmanship. Beau Huiskens, CEO of Taurus Fabrication and CMTA...
Opportunity Stanislaus and California Manufacturers & Technology Association Announce Strategic Partnership
Opportunity Stanislaus (OS) and the California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) forge a dynamic partnership to strengthen the manufacturing sector in the Northern San Joaquin Valley and across California. Sacramento, Calif. – Recognizing the pivotal...
Op-Ed: Statewide water supply target supports California’s manufacturers
OPINION – Water use in California is typically thought of in three parts: water for the environment (50%), water for agriculture (40%), and water for communities (10%) per the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC). As a result, “ag” is the sector of the economy...
Government Relations Update: Two Bills That Could Impact California Manufacturers
This month's Government Relations Update video delves into crucial legislative developments impacting California's manufacturing sector. California legislation's fiscal deadline is April 26th. All bills with a fiscal impact are due for consideration by the...
Microgrid Industry Leader, Enchanted Rock, Joins CMTA
Sacramento, Calif. – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) officially welcomed Enchanted Rock, an industry leader in electrical resiliency-as-a-service, to the organization today. Enchanted Rock is leading the way with its innovative...
Press Release
Boutique Electric Guitar Manufacturer Kauer Guitars Joins CMTA
Sacramento, Calif. – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) officially welcomed Kauer Guitars, a boutique electric guitar maker, to the organization today.
Kauer Guitars was established after a lifetime of woodworking in 2007 by Doug Kauer. The Elk Grove manufacturer has grown with a world-renowned artist roster in the past 17 years by prioritizing creating unique and high-quality guitars.
“We discovered Kauer Guitars through CMTA’s first-ever Coolest Thing Made in California Competition in 2023 when they entered one of its guitars into the contest,” said Lance Hastings, CEO & President of CMTA. “Kauer is well-recognized as an authentic, hand-crafted electric guitar maker in the industry. We are ecstatic to continue uplifting Kauer through their membership with CMTA.”
Despite being a small manufacturer, major artists include Brad Whitford with Aerosmith, Tom Dumont with No Doubt, Dennis Casey with Flogging Molly, Scott Holiday with Rival Sons and many more play Kauer Guitars.
“I am extremely excited to be a member of the CMTA. While being a luthier (our fancy term for instrument maker) may conjure up old world techniques, our shop is heavily dependent on technology,” said Doug Kauer, Founder & Owner of Kauer Guitars. “Having grown up in a family-owned business, I know first-hand how overlooked small-scale companies can be by large organizations. In our industry there’s no singular path to building excellent stringed instruments and the CMTA provides both a much-needed service and exposure to other industries that may be adaptable to our needs. We really appreciate all the excitement and involvement that the CMTA has already brought to our organization.”
Kauer Guitars are created using the highest-quality woods by hand, with a line that includes the Banshee, Korona, Electroliner, Starliner, Super Chief and its newest guitar the Gripen.
Kauer Guitars also manufactures guitar racks in the same facility in Elk Grove through its offshoot company, DRS Racks.
Between 2020 and 2022, Kauer Guitars raised over $150,000 in direct donations to the region’s food banks, local charities, and support organizations after launching a special guitar model at the beginning of the pandemic.
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About CMTA
The California Manufacturers & Technology Association has advocated for pro-growth laws and regulations before the California legislature and administrative agencies since 1918. The total output from manufacturing in California is $300 billion per year, roughly 10 percent of the total economic output of the state. Manufacturers employ 1.3 million Californians paying wages more than $25,000 higher than other non-farm employers in the state. For more information, visit CMTA’s website.
About Kauer Guitars
Kauer Guitars Inc is a leading member of the boutique electric guitar industry. Established after a lifetime of woodworking in 2007 by Doug Kauer, Kauer Guitars has grown with a world-renowned artist roster, an innovative approach to technology and a continual strive towards improvement. Kauer’s outsider perspective on design has helped carry the brand into the zeitgeist and allowed them to be a positive mentor to other industry peers. Kauer Guitars: a Noble Tone Embiggens the Smallest Amp. For more information, visit Kauer Guitar’s website.