Find out what California company is one step closer to an all-electric vehicle fleet in your #ManufacturingMinute with Ananda Rochita, VP of Communications. ⚙️ Why the Port of Long Beach is thriving this holiday season⚓️ ⚙️ And the Women MakingCA Conference is only...
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.
As Seen on TV: California-Made Gift Guide
As Seen on TV – Need some gift-giving inspiration? Find California-made gift ideas for your friends, family, and loved ones here. Blue Diamond Almonds | Manufactured in Sacramento, CA Find them here. OV Cornhole | Manufactured in El Dorado, CA Find them here....
Manufacturing Minute: Governor Newsom meets with California Manufacturers at APEC
Find out how California’s manufacturers were involved in APEC 2023 on this week's Manufacturing Minute with Ananda Rochita. ⚙️ How California's Governor Newsom engaged with our manufacturers ⚙️ Hear about this year's Women MakingCA Nominations. Go to...
Manufacturing Minute: UC Berkeley Teams Up With NASA
Find out what's happening in California's manufacturing industry on this week's Manufacturing Minute with Ananda Rochita. ⚙️ BP Pulse Makes a Historic Deal with Tesla ⚙️ UC Berkeley Teams Up With NASA ⚙️ Women Making California Award Nominations open Nov. 15...
CMTA Welcomes Financial Institution, JP Morgan Chase, to Organization
Sacramento, Calif. – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) welcomed JP Morgan Chase & Co. to the organization today. JP Morgan Chase is a leading global financial services firm with a rich history of over 200 years and assets of $3.9...
Manufacturing Minute: Details on Stratolaunch’s Contract with the U.S. Air Force
Find out what's happening in California's manufacturing industry on this week's Manufacturing Minute with Ananda Rochita. ⚙️ Siemens Mobility's New Project in Sacramento ⚙️ Bayer’s Huge Investment in Berkeley ⚙️ Stratolaunch’s Brand-New Contract ⚙️ The CA...
Tesla Model Y Wins Inaugural ‘Coolest Thing Made in California’ Competition
Sacramento, Calif. – The moment we've all been waiting for has arrived – in a thrilling conclusion to the "Coolest Thing Made in California" competition, Tesla's Model Y emerged as the undisputed champion, solidifying its place as the pinnacle of California...
World-Class Transformer Manufacturer, Pacific Transformer, Joins CMTA
Sacramento, Calif. –The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) welcomed Pacific Transformer to the organization. Pacific Transformer, located in Anaheim, California, designs and manufactures custom transformers and magnetic products from...
Manufacturing Minute: How the Recent COVID Surge is Impacting CA Manufacturers
Find out what's happening in the manufacturing industry on this week's Manufacturing Minute with Ananda Rochita. ⚙️ A new manufacturing grant for a California school ⚙️ How the recent COVID-19 surge is impacting CA manufacturers ⚙️ A new era for a well-known cereal...
Automotive Accessory Manufacturer, T-Rex Truck Products, Joins CMTA
Sacramento, Calif. –The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) welcomed T-Rex Truck Products, Inc. to the organization today. The off-road accessory and utility rack manufacturer operates its three brands, T-Rex Grilles, Zroadz Off-Road Products...
Press Release
With Four Products Remaining, What is the Coolest Thing Made in California?


Sacramento, Calif. – The first-ever finalists of the Coolest Thing Made in California competition hosted by the California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) were announced today. From a pool of 100 nominated products and almost 77,000 votes later, the Top 4 products in the Coolest Thing Made in California competition are:
- Carmazzi Caramel Corn’s Popcorn in Sacramento
- Millennium Space Systems’ Victus Nox in El Segundo
- Northrop Grumman’s James Webb Space Telescope in Redondo Beach
- Tesla’s Model Y in Fremont
These products have captured the essence of California’s manufacturing prowess, standing out for their quality, creativity, and impact on various industries. Their selection as the Top 4, voted on by the public, is a testament to their exceptional contributions to the state’s manufacturing landscape.
The competition is now in its final stages, and these Top 4 products are head-to-head as the public decides the ultimate winner of the “Coolest Thing Made in California” title.
Voting for the final round is open to the public from Monday, September 25 to Thursday, September 28, at CoolestThingCalifornia.com. We encourage everyone to cast their votes and support their favorite product, as every vote counts in determining the winner.
The winner will be announced by California’s Lieutenant Governor, Eleni Kounalakis at CMTA’s MakingCA Conference on National Manufacturing Day.
“Manufacturing is a critical industry in California’s history and future,” said Lance Hastings, President & CEO of CMTA. “We couldn’t be more proud of the extraordinary range of products we witnessed throughout this competition. The finalists represent the pinnacle of innovation in California, and we can’t wait to see which one will be crowned the Coolest Thing Made in California.”
For more information about the Coolest Thing Made in California competition and to cast your vote in the final round, please visit CoolestThingCalifornia.com.
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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.