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...
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.
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...
Manufacturing Minute: Details on Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling’s $500 Million Expansion
Find out what's happening in the manufacturing industry on this week's Manufacturing Minute with Ananda Rochita. ⚙️ Details on Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling’s $500 Million Expansion ⚙️ Where Bosch stands on its move to Roseville, CA ⚙️ What to know about the first-ever...
World Leader in Metal Recycling Crushes its Way into CMTA Membership
Sacramento, Calif. –The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) welcomed the metal recycling and processing company, SA Recycling, to the organization today. SA Recycling has grown from a small scrap yard to coast-to-coast operations with some 130...
CMTA’S President & CEO Releases Statement on Passage of SB 253 (Wiener)
Sacramento, Calif. – California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) President and CEO, Lance Hastings releases a statement on the passage of Senate Bill 253 (Wiener), the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act. “Earlier Tuesday, the California...
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...
Voting Starts for the Coolest Thing Made in California Competition
Sacramento, CA – Hundreds of California-made products have been nominated to the Coolest Thing Made in California competition, now it’s time to let the public decide which innovative product will secure a spot in the highly anticipated Top 16 bracket. From Monday,...
Manufacturing Minute: CHIPS Act Funding, Satellite Contract & Coolest Thing Made in California
Find out what's happening in the manufacturing industry on this week's Manufacturing Minute with Ananda Rochita. ⚙️ What Northrop Grumman & Lockheed Martin will make with a new $1.5B shared contract. ⚙️ Just how many CHIPS Act Funding applications the government...
CMTA Unveils Inaugural Coolest Thing Made in California Awards Contest
Celebrating Innovation, Excellence, and Creativity in California’s Robust Manufacturing Industry Sacramento, Calif. –The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) is proud to unveil its groundbreaking awards contest in search of the Coolest...
Manufacturing Minute: New Investment by President Biden & Coolest Thing Made in CA Competition
October is just around the corner, which means a busy month showcasing makers for National Manufacturing Month! Check out this week’s Manufacturing Minute to hear the latest manufacturing news from California. ️⚙️ What to know about the Coolest Thing Made in...
Press Release
Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis to Present the Coolest Thing Made in California Award on National Manufacturing Day
Sacramento, Calif. – Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis announced today she will join the California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) on National Manufacturing Day to present the award for the Coolest Thing Made in California. The inaugural competition hosted by CMTA aims to celebrate the spirit of innovation and creativity that defines the Golden State.
“California is the birthplace of many iconic creations and groundbreaking technologies. From aerospace to agriculture, biotech to clean tech, entertainment to the internet and beyond, our state’s inventive spirit has left an incredible mark on the world,” said Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis. “I look forward to presenting the Coolest Thing Made in California award and seeing the amazing products that make it into the competition’s Top 4.”
California boasts 30,000 manufacturers and 1.3 million employees that contribute $310 billion to the state’s annual GDP. The winner of the Coolest Thing Made in California will be announced at CMTA’s inaugural MakingCA Conference in Sacramento on October 6, 2023.
“CMTA’s first-of-its-kind Coolest Thing Made in California competition brought forth hundreds of avant-garde products made right here in the Golden State,” said Lance Hastings, CEO & President of CMTA. “We are proud to showcase the products that make-up California’s manufacturing industry.”
California-made products will advance in weekly elimination-style rounds until there’s a Top 4, and voters will select the winner. The top 16 vote-getters from 100 nominations advanced to the Coolest Thing Made in California bracket. All nominations and votes were cast by the public at the contest website – CoolestThingCalifornia.com – set up by CMTA.
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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.