Insights with Manufacturing Leaders: AAPI Heritage Month Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month is a time to honor the vibrant contributions, innovation, and leadership of AAPI individuals across all industries. In California’s diverse and...
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.
California-Made Gift Guide for Mother’s Day & Father’s Day
California-Made Picks for Mother’s Day & Father’s Day With over 35,000 manufacturers across California, you're bound to find the perfect gift that’s thoughtful, high-quality, and locally made. This Mother’s and Father’s Day, surprise them with something...
J&J, Caterpillar Inc., and Novartis Invest in U.S. Manufacturing: Manufacturing Minute
This week’s Manufacturing Minute highlights CMTA members leading the way with major investments and advancements in workforce development, U.S. manufacturing, and pharmaceutical innovation. https://youtu.be/jMnlk4-ZJrk Watch the latest Manufacturing Minute episode in...
Manufacturing in the News: April 2025
Scroll through CMTA's round-up of manufacturing-related news and updates from April 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...
First Major Tankless Brand Assembled in U.S. Joins CMTA
Sacramento, Calif. – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) welcomed new member Rinnai to the organization. Rinnai America Corporation, a subsidiary of Rinnai Corporation in Nagoya, Japan, was established in 1974. With a global perspective to...
Manufacturing Minute: California’s First New Steel Mill in 50 Years Begins Construction
This week's Manufacturing Minute brings attention to significant developments in steel manufacturing, electrical products, and workers' compensation solutions for California manufacturers. https://youtu.be/8VbyGGXGdgk Watch the latest Manufacturing Minute episode in...
Porsche Consulting Joins CMTA’s Member Network
Sacramento, Calif. – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) welcomed new member Porsche Consulting to the organization in March. The consulting firm is a leading management consultancy from Germany with offices located around the world. It...
Schneider Electric Joins CMTA
Sacramento, Calif. – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) welcomed new member Schneider Electric to the organization today. Schneider Electric is a global industrial technology leader and a powerhouse of energy distribution, industrial...
Largest Flexible Packaging Manufacturer for Produce Joins CMTA
Sacramento, Calif. – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) welcomed new member Emerald Packaging to the organization today. For 60 years, Emerald Packaging has been reinventing produce packaging and is the largest flexible packaging...
As Seen On TV: Women in Manufacturing California-Made Products
California-made products were recently featured on ABC10, CBS Sacramento, and Fox40, highlighting the creativity and innovation driving the state’s manufacturing industry. These TV segments lead up to CMTA’s 4th Annual Women MakingCA Conference on Thursday, March 13,...
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.