This week’s Manufacturing Minute video takes a deep dive into two major events scheduled for March 2025, both designed to celebrate, connect, and inspire the manufacturing community. https://youtu.be/paCMajlLJVs Watch the latest Manufacturing Minute episode in the...
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.
Manufacturing Minute: California’s Getting a New Manufacturing Jobs Training Program
This week’s Manufacturing Minute highlights exciting advancements in workforce development, biomanufacturing, and defense technology. Manufacturing Minute is released bi-weekly by the California Manufacturers & Technology Association and is powered by Tri Tool...
Fourth-Generation Walnut Manufacturer Joins CMTA
Sacramento, Calif. – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) proudly welcomes Grower Direct Nut Co., a leader in the walnut industry with a rich history in sustainable farming and innovative processing techniques, as a new member of the...
WEBINAR: Navigating the Impact of the New PM2.5 NAAQS on California Industrial Operations
Webinar presented by Trinity Consultants and CMTA Sacramento, Calif. – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) hosted an exclusive webinar with associate member Trinity Consultants, exploring the implications of the United States Environmental...
Manufacturing Minute: California Selected as Headquarters for National Semiconductor Technology Center
This week’s Manufacturing Minute spotlights exciting advancements in California’s manufacturing landscape. Manufacturing Minute is released bi-weekly by the California Manufacturers & Technology Association and is powered by Tri Tool Technologies....
PG&E and Acena Consulting Join CMTA as Associate Members
Sacramento, Calif. – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) is proud to welcome two new associate members, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and Acena Consulting to the association. Both companies bring significant expertise that...
The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) Elects New Chair and Secretary of the Board of Directors
Sacramento, Calif. – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) proudly announces that effective January 1, 2025, Margo Parks will lead the association as Chairperson of the Board of Directors. Adrian Guerrero will serve alongside Parks and...
CMTA Sponsors City of Fremont’s 13th Annual Manufacturing Week
Fremont, Calif. – In recognition of National Manufacturing Day on Oct. 4, the City of Fremont hosted its 13th annual celebration of Manufacturing Week from Oct. 8 to Oct. 14. Sponsored by the California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA), the weeklong...
2024 MakingCA Conference Recap
Innovation in Manufacturing: Bridging the Gap Between Tradition & Technology 100 people joined CMTA to celebrate California’s 30,000 manufacturers during the 2nd Annual MakingCA Conference on Friday, October, 18, 2024. Speakers included CEO of People’s First Beef...
World’s Fastest Microchip Made by Northrop Grumman Wins CMTA’s “Coolest Thing Made in California” Contest
JPMorganChase presented awards to the champion and finalists on Friday, October 18, 2024 Sacramento, Calif. – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) announced today the winner of the 2024 “Coolest Thing Made in California” contest. Northrop...
Press Release
16 California-Made Products Advance in the First-Ever Coolest Thing Made in California Competition

Sacramento, CA – The excitement continues as the “Coolest Thing Made in California” competition enters its next thrilling phase! Hundreds of products were nominated and now 16 remain. Voting for which products will move into the Top 8 starts Monday, September 11 and concludes on September 14 at 11:59 p.m. PST.
Hosted by the California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) the Coolest Thing Made in California competition has already seen an outpouring of support during the popular round, with tens of thousands of votes determining the 16 products that would advance.
“We are thrilled to enter the Top 16 voting round of the Coolest Thing Made in California competition,” said Lance Hastings, CEO & President of CMTA. “This stage is crucial as it determines the top eight products who will compete for the first-ever title of Coolest Thing Made in California. We encourage everyone to participate, cast their votes, and support the products they believe truly represent the ‘coolest’ California has to offer.’”
The Top 16 products competing head-to-head for the title of the Coolest Thing Made in California include: Tri Tool Technologies’ 536 Fitting Machine, Fender’s American Vintage II 1972 Telecaster® Thinline, Siemens Mobility’s Amtrak Airo Venture Trainsets, Xcell Biosciences’ Avatar Cell Control System, Carmazzi Caramel Corn’s Caramel Popcorn, Boehringer Ingelheim’s Cyltezo, High Sierra Showerhead’s Half Dome Rain Shower Head, Northrop Grumman’s James Webb Space Telescope, Lockheed Martin’s NIRCam, Petit Pot’s Petit Pot, TAVIS Corporation’s Pressure Transducer, Stratolaunch’s Talon-A Reusable Hypersonic Test Vehicle, Tesla’s Model Y, Millennium Space Systems’ Victus Nox, Wisk Aero’s Wisk Air Taxis, and Zoox’s Robotaxi.
Go to CoolestThingCalifornia.com to learn more.
Top 16 Round Details:
- Voting Open: September 11-14
- Voting Limit: The public can vote once per day, per device.
- Voting Method: Visit our official website CoolestThingCalifornia.com and follow the simple steps to cast your votes for your favorite product.
- Voting Impact: The Top 16 round votes will determine which products move on to the Top 8 round.
- Winners: After weekly elimination rounds, the winner will be announced at the MakingCA Conference hosted by CMTA on National Manufacturing Day, October 6. California’s Lt. Governor, Eleni Kounalakis, will present the award.
Coolest Thing Made in California Schedule:
- Top 8 Vote: Sept. 18-21
- Top 4 Vote: Sept. 25-28
- Winner Announced: Oct. 6, National Manufacturing Day at CMTA’s MakingCA Conference
##
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 the CMTA website.