Sacramento, Calif. – After more than 200,000 votes, the California-made X-59 built by Lockheed Martin in Palmdale has been crowned the 2025 “Coolest Thing Made in California.” The annual statewide contest, hosted by the California Manufacturers & Technology...
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 Hispanic Heritage with Insights from Torani Leader
Insights with Manufacturing Leaders: Hispanic Heritage Month Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to recognize the meaningful impact, creativity, and guidance of Hispanic and Latino professionals across industries. In California’s diverse and evolving...
CMTA Announces 100% Success Against Breaker Bills in 2025 Legislative Session
Sacramento, Calif. (September 16, 2025) – Today, the California Manufacturers & Technology Association(CMTA) announced that it secured a 100% success rate on stopping all priority “Breaker” bills during the 2025 legislative session. CMTA also successfully advanced...
CMTA Opposes Secretive Cap-and-Trade Process
Sacramento, Calif. (September 8, 2025) – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) announced today that the state’s manufacturing sector is in strong opposition to any attempt to advance a cap-and-trade deal in the final days of the legislative...
Manufacturing in the News: August 2025
Read CMTA's round-up of manufacturing-related news from August 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 Jet...
CMTA Names Nina Fisher as New Vice President of Communications
Sacramento, Calif. (September 2, 2025) – Today, the California Manufacturers and Technology Association (CMTA) welcomed Nina Krishel Fisher as the organization’s new Vice President of Communications, aiming to strengthen the voice of California manufacturers at a...
Renowned Flavor Brand Torani Joins CMTA
Sacramento, Calif. – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) has welcomed new member Torani to the organization. Founded in 1925, the globally recognized flavor company is known for its wide range of syrups and sauces. Torani has a rich...
Manufacturing in the News: July 2025
Read CMTA's round-up of manufacturing-related news from July 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 Union...
Manufacturing Minute: California Forever Proposes Massive Manufacturing Hub in Solano County
From award-winning sustainability efforts to creative visions for reindustrialization, this week’s Manufacturing Minute powered by Tri Tool Technologies, showcases how California continues to lead in innovation and industry growth. In this episode, Marathon Petroleum...
CMTA Announces 2025 “Coolest Thing Made in California” Contest
CMTA presents the 2024 Coolest Thing Made in California award to Northrop Grumman, for the world’s fastest microchip, on October 18, 2024 Sacramento, Calif. – California is home to the world’s fastest microchip, zero-emission supercars, and now, the search is on to...
Press Release
Sacramento Popcorn Maker Carmazzi Caramel Corn Joins CMTA
Sacramento, Calif. – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) welcomed Carmazzi Caramel Corn, California’s Lil’ Drops of Sunshine, to the organization today.
A secret family recipe passed down from four generations to Karen Carmazzi and her son Paul Jr. jumpstarted Carmazzi Caramel Corn and led the family to accolades. Carmazzi Caramel Corn started in Karen’s home kitchen in January 2018. The mother-son duo opened their storefront in Sacramento, CA, in the summer of 2023.
“You walk into Carmazzi Caramel Corn or open up a fresh bucket of their popcorn and will always be met with the smell of sweet caramel butter and fresh popcorn,” said Lance Hastings, CEO & President of CMTA. “My family has long loved Carmazzi’s popcorn, and I look forward to continue building California’s small, family-owned manufacturers like the Carmazzi’s through our work at CMTA.”
Carmazzi Caramel Corn is made with the highest-quality ingredients and is soy, peanut, tree nut, gluten, and high-fructose free.
“Carmazzi Caramel Corn is proud to manufacture our product out of the state capital. We look forward to working with the CMTA and its myriad of resources while learning and navigating our growth from the other members,” said Karen Carmazzi, CEO & Founder of Carmazzi Caramel Corn.
The small-scale family manufacturer was a top four finalist in CMTA’s Inaugural Coolest Thing Made in California Competition in 2023. The Caramel Corn makers beat out Fortune 500 companies based on popularity votes. In the end, Tesla won the competition. Carmazzi Caramel Corn has won several awards at the California State Fair and received Sacramento Republic FC’s Kickstart Program for women-owned businesses in the region.
Customers can find Carmazzi Caramel Corn sold across Northern California at Wineries, Breweries, Grocery Markets, Gift Shops, the Sacramento International Airport or their brick-and-mortar shop at 520 La Sierra Drive Sacramento.
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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.
About Carmazzi Caramel Corn
Carmazzi Caramel Corn is family owned and operated out of Sacramento, CA. Our award-winning recipe has been passed down four generations and is continually growing to be one of California’s best treats. We are committed to using quality whole ingredients to ensure our caramel corn will be soy free, gluten free, nut free, and contain no high fructose corn syrup.
We are proud to produce one of California’s highest quality snacks. For more information, visit Carmazzi Caramel Corn’s website.