Read CMTA’s round-up of manufacturing news from April 2026. 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
Anheuser-Busch Increases U.S. Investment to $600 Million
Anheuser-Busch announced an increased investment of $600 million in its U.S. manufacturing facilities over two years. This follows an announced $300 million investment in its U.S. facilities for 2025.
The CMTA board member company plans to use the investments to open 15 technical skills training centers across its U.S. facilities and upskill more than 90% of its U.S. workforce over the next five years.
Aerospace Manufacturer Hermeus Moves Headquarters to El Segundo
Hermeus, a defense aviation company developing high-Mach unmanned aircraft, is growing its prototyping footprint with new headquarters in El Segundo, CA.
The existing facility in Atlanta, GA will shift its focus to production. The manufacturer will occupy 67,000 square feet and staff more than 200 employees by mid-2027.
New Laser Manufacturing Facility Unanimously Approved to Build in Davis
Palisades LLC won approval to build 14,400 square feet of new buildings in Davis, CA, to manufacture lasers.
The anticipated user is a Davis-based technology manufacturer that designs and builds laser systems used to cut and fabricate medical devices from micro-tubing. According to staff reports, the business will employ around 15 people.
Read more from Sacramento Business Journal
Bay Area Manufacturer Skydio Commits $3.5 Billion to Expand U.S. Manufacturing
Skydio, the largest U.S.-based drone manufacturer, announced plans to invest $3.5 billion in the U.S. over five years to expand domestic manufacturing, accelerate R&D, and strengthen American supply chains.
The company’s main production facility is in Hayward, CA. This investment is expected to create more than 2,000 new Skydio jobs.
Solidigm Hits $100 Million Investment Goal in Rancho Cordova
Memory technology company Solidigm said it’s exceeded its goal in less than four years of investing at least $100 million in local research and development. The Rancho Cordova, CA, company invested $75 million in labs and $5 million in a NAND chip center.
Solidigm introduced the world’s first liquid-cooled solid-state drive for graphics processing units.
Read more from Sacramento Business Journal
Manufacturing Policy News
Commentary: Battles Over Business Regulation Resume in California’s Capitol with New Legislation
A nearly two-hour hearing in the Assembly Judiciary Committee in early April encapsulated the Capitol’s longest-running conflict. AB 1776 is one of the business community’s top targets this year.
The California Manufacturers & Technology Association and other business groups have drawn up lists of several dozen bills they will oppose.
California Adopts Rules for Manufacturers to Test and Deploy Heavy-Duty Autonomous Vehicles
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) adopted new regulations for autonomous vehicles, allowing manufacturers to test and deploy heavy-duty driverless vehicle technology on the state’s roads.
The new regulations also expand safety and oversight requirements for all classes of autonomous vehicles, the California DMV said in a statement.
California Bill Could Add Costly New Barriers to Advanced Manufacturing
CMTA is warning that a proposed bill could add costly new requirements for advanced manufacturing, further deterring investment in an already high-cost state.
Senate Bill 954 (Blakespear, 2026) would add new layers of approvals and requirements, narrow build locations, and create more uncertainty for companies looking to invest in California.