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. 

Red Wing Shoes Steps into CMTA’s Growing Manufacturing Network

SACRAMENTO, CA. – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) is pleased to welcome Red Wing Shoes as its newest member, strengthening CMTA’s member base in the apparel and footwear manufacturing sector. Founded in 1905, Red Wing Shoes designs and...

Manufacturing in the News: January 2026

Read CMTA's round-up of manufacturing news from January 2026. 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   Lockheed Martin...

Manufacturing in the News: December 2025

Read CMTA's round-up of manufacturing news from December 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   Wisk Completes...

CMTA Supports Quarry Innovation Center

Sacramento, Calif. – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association(CMTA) today announced its support for the Quarry Innovation Center, an advanced manufacturing development proposed near Brisbane, CA, on the San Francisco Peninsula. The project is...

Butcher Power Products Joins CMTA Amid Impressive Growth

SACRAMENTO, CA. – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) welcomed new member Butcher Power Products to the organization today. Based in Sacramento, Butcher Power Products delivers utility-grade switchboards, switchgear, and power distribution...

California’s 2026 Laws: What Manufacturers Need to Know

Sacramento, CA. – Starting January 1, 2026, California manufacturers face several new laws that will reshape compliance, hiring, training, and investment decisions. The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) highlights six major laws that...

Cal EPIC Joins CMTA’s Growing Statewide Manufacturing Network

SACRAMENTO, CA. – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) welcomed new member Cal EPIC to the organization today. Cal EPIC works to accelerate research and development of next-generation energy and transportation technology. Through the...

Manufacturing in the News: November 2025

Read CMTA's round-up of manufacturing-related news from November 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   Governor...

Leading Employer of People with Disabilities Joins CMTA

SACRAMENTO, CA. – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) welcomed new member PRIDE Industries to the organization today. With a mission to create lasting employment for people with disabilities, PRIDE Industries is one of the most successful...

Press Release

Global leader in launch and space systems Rocket Lab joins CMTA

Feb 4, 2025

Sacramento, Calif.The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) welcomed new member Rocket Lab to the organization today.

Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Long Beach, Rocket Lab is a space company that designs, manufactures, assembles, launches, and operates rockets, satellites, and spacecraft components.

“The aerospace industry was created right here in California, and supports 39% of all of the jobs in manufacturing,” said Lance Hastings, CMTA’s CEO & President. “We are thrilled to bring in Rocket Lab as a new member as they have a proven track record of pushing California towards innovation.”

With 50+ launches and 200+ satellites delivered to space, Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket is the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually, while its new larger and reusable rocket Neutron is scheduled to launch for the first time in 2025.

“We are thrilled to join the CMTA and help to create new opportunities for aerospace in our state’s manufacturing and technology communities, fostering a stronger, more innovative ecosystem for all,” said Frank Klein, Rocket Lab Chief Operations Officer.

Rocket Lab’s spacecraft and components are also supporting missions to the Moon and Mars for NASA, and its satellite components and subsystems are part of domestic and international space programs that support a range of causes from technology innovation and Earth imaging through to national security and weather monitoring.

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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. 

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company with an established track record of mission success. We deliver reliable launch services, satellite manufacture, spacecraft components, and on-orbit management solutions that make it faster, easier, and more affordable to access space. Headquartered in Long Beach, California, Rocket Lab designs and manufactures the Electron small orbital launch vehicle, a family of flight proven spacecraft, and the Company is developing the large Neutron launch vehicle for constellation deployment. Since its first orbital launch in January 2018, Rocket Lab’s Electron launch vehicle has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered 200+ satellites to orbit for private and public sector organizations, enabling operations in national security, scientific research, space debris mitigation, Earth observation, climate monitoring, and communications. Rocket Lab’s family of spacecraft have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars, as well as the first private commercial mission to Venus. Rocket Lab has three launch pads at two launch sites, including two launch pads at a private orbital launch site located in New Zealand and a third launch pad in Virginia. For more information, learn more here.

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