Sacramento, Calif. – After more than 200,000 votes, the California-made X-59 built by Lockheed Martin in Palmdale has been crowned the 2025 “Coolest Thing Made in California.” The annual statewide contest, hosted by the California Manufacturers & Technology...
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.
CMTA Celebrates Hispanic Heritage with Insights from Torani Leader
Insights with Manufacturing Leaders: Hispanic Heritage Month Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to recognize the meaningful impact, creativity, and guidance of Hispanic and Latino professionals across industries. In California’s diverse and evolving...
CMTA Announces 100% Success Against Breaker Bills in 2025 Legislative Session
Sacramento, Calif. (September 16, 2025) – Today, the California Manufacturers & Technology Association(CMTA) announced that it secured a 100% success rate on stopping all priority “Breaker” bills during the 2025 legislative session. CMTA also successfully advanced...
CMTA Opposes Secretive Cap-and-Trade Process
Sacramento, Calif. (September 8, 2025) – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) announced today that the state’s manufacturing sector is in strong opposition to any attempt to advance a cap-and-trade deal in the final days of the legislative...
Manufacturing in the News: August 2025
Read CMTA's round-up of manufacturing-related news from August 2025. The articles below don’t reflect the views of the manufacturing industry or CMTA. They are a collection of the latest industry news from this past month. Latest Industry News Jet...
CMTA Names Nina Fisher as New Vice President of Communications
Sacramento, Calif. (September 2, 2025) – Today, the California Manufacturers and Technology Association (CMTA) welcomed Nina Krishel Fisher as the organization’s new Vice President of Communications, aiming to strengthen the voice of California manufacturers at a...
Renowned Flavor Brand Torani Joins CMTA
Sacramento, Calif. – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) has welcomed new member Torani to the organization. Founded in 1925, the globally recognized flavor company is known for its wide range of syrups and sauces. Torani has a rich...
Manufacturing in the News: July 2025
Read CMTA's round-up of manufacturing-related news from July 2025. The articles below don’t reflect the views of the manufacturing industry or CMTA. They are a collection of the latest industry news from this past month. Latest Industry News Union...
Manufacturing Minute: California Forever Proposes Massive Manufacturing Hub in Solano County
From award-winning sustainability efforts to creative visions for reindustrialization, this week’s Manufacturing Minute powered by Tri Tool Technologies, showcases how California continues to lead in innovation and industry growth. In this episode, Marathon Petroleum...
CMTA Announces 2025 “Coolest Thing Made in California” Contest
CMTA presents the 2024 Coolest Thing Made in California award to Northrop Grumman, for the world’s fastest microchip, on October 18, 2024 Sacramento, Calif. – California is home to the world’s fastest microchip, zero-emission supercars, and now, the search is on to...
Press Release
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.
Siemens High-Speed Rail Project
Courtesy of Brightline West
Siemens Mobility, a train manufacturer with a hub in Sacramento, CA, has been selected as the “preferred bidder” for Brightline West’s high-speed rail project. This is a development that is set to revolutionize travel between Las Vegas and Southern California.
With the introduction of the innovative American Pioneer 220 (AP 220) train sets, Siemens Mobility is promising cutting-edge technology and a passenger experience tailored for the U.S. market. The high-speed rail project will take passengers from Rancho Cucamonga to the Las Vegas Strip in two hours.
This infrastructure milestone signifies California’s leap into high-speed rail technology and amplifies the nation’s manufacturing capabilities.
California’s Bold Investment in Innovation
Courtesy of Office of Governor Gavin Newsom
California’s Governor announced the state would invest $120 million in tax credits to eight pioneering companies. Gov. Gavin Newsom made the announcement this past April, explaining how this funding will help create good-paying jobs and support the economy.
“California’s economy is the fifth largest in the world and we’re supporting workers and businesses as they reach success,” Newsom said. “This funding will help businesses create good-paying jobs — from steel manufacturing in Kern County to sustainable lithium production in Imperial Valley — and support the state’s economic dominance for years to come.”
This huge investment in California is expected to generate more than 2,100 full-time jobs with an average annual salary of over $100,000 and bring in an estimated $15.5 billion in private investment over the next five years.
The funding from the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) comes from the California Competes program that was created in 2013 to help businesses grow and stay in California.