Sacramento, Calif. –The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) welcomed new member Eide Bailly to the organization today. Eide Bailly is a certified public accounting and business advisory firm, providing leaders of all levels with solutions...
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.
CMTA Celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage with Manufacturing Leaders
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...
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...
Press Release
PG&E CEO Announced as Keynote Speaker at CMTA’s Annual Membership & Board of Directors Meeting: Manufacturing Minute

This week’s Manufacturing Minute highlights key developments shaping the future of manufacturing and innovation.
CEO of PG&E Announced as CMTA Annual Meeting Keynote Speaker
The California Manufacturers & Technology Association is proud to welcome Patti Poppe, CEO of Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), as the keynote speaker for the CMTA Annual Membership & Board of Directors Meeting. With extensive leadership experience at CMS Energy, DTE Energy, and General Motors, Patti brings invaluable insights into the evolving energy landscape. Beyond her role at PG&E, she serves on multiple industry boards, shaping the future of energy and infrastructure.
This two-day event, taking place March 26-27, 2025, at the Parker Palm Springs, will bring together CMTA members, legislators, and business leaders to discuss the state of manufacturing in California. Patti will share her expertise on energy transformation and its impact on the industry, alongside other distinguished speakers addressing key trends and innovations shaping the sector.
Stratolaunch’s $24.7M Hypersonic Flight Agreement

Photo Courtesy of Stratolaunch
In another major aerospace industry development, CMTA member Stratolaunch has been awarded a $24.7 million competitive agreement by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to support national defense through a cutting-edge hypersonic flight mission.
This funding will enable modifications to Stratolaunch’s Spirit of Mojave 747 launch platform, expanding the reach of its reusable Talon-A hypersonic vehicle to global locations. Set for the fourth quarter of 2025, the test mission will enhance the United States’ ability to develop and refine missile defense systems against emerging hypersonic threats. Stratolaunch’s advancements in hypersonic technology reinforce its position as a leader in national security innovation.
ZM Trucks Announces First U.S. Manufacturing Plant

Photo courtesy of ZM Trucks
Rounding out this week’s news, ZM Trucks, North America’s newest zero-emissions commercial truck brand, has announced the establishment of its first North American manufacturing plant in Fontana, California.
This milestone also marks the relocation of its regional headquarters to the 210,000-square-foot facility, further cementing its commitment to sustainable transportation solutions. The new plant will serve as the foundation for ZM Trucks’ U.S. operations, producing electric commercial trucks, terminal tractors, and airport ground service equipment. With production set to begin in the first half of 2025, ZM Trucks is poised to play a pivotal role in advancing clean energy transportation across the country.
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