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. 

Op-Ed: AI Needs Carefully Crafted Regulations That Foster Innovation

-This commentary was originally published in Capitol Weekly's September Issue, written by Lance Hastings and Samantha Corbin. Hastings is the President and CEO of the California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA), and Corbin is the Senior Policy Advisor...

WEBINAR: Data-Driven Solutions for ESG in Manufacturing

Webinar presented by Adastra and CMTA Sacramento, Calif. – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) hosted an exclusive webinar with associate member Adastra, exploring data-driven ESG solutions in manufacturing on Sept. 24, 2024. CMTA's Vice...

Supply Chain Operating System Startup for Manufacturers Joins CMTA

Sacramento, Calif. – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) welcomed new member, Soff, to the organization today. Based in San Francisco, Soff is a supply chain operating system for manufacturing companies. The startup company works to unify...

How AB 52, Manufacturing Tax Credit, Will Expand California Jobs

California manufacturing generates more than $394 billion annually and employs more than 1.3 million people with over 30,000 firms. Our manufacturers are the most significant contributor to the United States manufacturing industry, making up 11% of the manufacturing...

Press Release

Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis to Present the Coolest Thing Made in California Award on National Manufacturing Day

Sep 13, 2023

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.

 

###

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.

Share This