Scroll through CMTA’s round-up of manufacturing-related news and updates from May 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 News
Archer Set to Open Meat Snacks Factory in Vernon
Fast-growing Southern California snack food company, Archer, opened its second manufacturing facility in Vernon, CA. It will employ more than 200 people when it officially opens in September. Archer is taking over what was once a Farmer John’s processing plant, which made ham, sausage, and hot dogs.
Read more from the Los Angeles Times
Amazon Ramps Up Robotaxi Manufacturing in East Bay
Amazon’s self-driving start-up Zoox plans to increase production in 2026, ahead of a commercial rollout of a robotaxi fleet in the U.S. Zoox’s co-founder said the company will open a new site in the Bay Area to expand beyond its existing production facility in Fremont.
Read more from The Economic Times
Caulipuffs Now Flies on American Airlines
CMTA member CauliPuffs announced its snacks are officially on American Airlines. The airline now carries White Cheddar CauliPuffs for travelers nationwide. The company is based in Salinas and bakes their tasty snacks in Northern California.
California Dairies Opens New Factory in Bakersfield
CMTA member California Dairies Inc. announced the opening of the Valley Natural Beverages milk processing plant in Bakersfield. According to the company, the 200,000-square-foot plant is the most technologically advanced processing facility in the world. Statewide leaders including Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis gathered to celebrate the industry’s announcement in Kern County.
Manufactured Home Developments Grow Amid Housing Crisis
A mobile home development in Visalia held its grand opening, featuring new manufactured homes by Southern California based company Family Homes. The manufactured homes have a 175-year life span, far surpassing the average 30-year life span of a conventional mobile home.
Read more from The Business Journal
Manufacturing Industry Policy
SB 587 on Manufacturer Tax Credits Moves Forward
Senate Bill 587 (Grayson) on manufacturer tax credits—a CMTA maker bill—was voted out of the Senate Appropriations Committee and will move forward through the legislative process. CMTA’s Government Relations team is closely monitoring this bill due to its significance for California manufacturers. You can view CMTA’s bill tracker here.