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...
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.
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...
As Seen On TV: Women in Manufacturing California-Made Products
California-made products were recently featured on ABC10, CBS Sacramento, and Fox40, highlighting the creativity and innovation driving the state’s manufacturing industry. These TV segments lead up to CMTA’s 4th Annual Women MakingCA Conference on Thursday, March 13,...
Press Release
16 Products Advance in CMTA’s “Coolest Thing Made in California” Contest Powered by JPMorganChase
Voting to eliminate eight products begins Monday, August 26
Sacramento, Calif. – Almost 85,000 votes later, 16 products advanced and will go head-to-head, competing for the title of the “Coolest Thing Made in California.”
Over 135 products were nominated for the 2nd annual contest hosted by the California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) and powered by JPMorganChase. Voting to narrow down the contest into the “Top 8” products will occur from Monday, August 26 to Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. PST.
Sacramento Region Manufacturers in the Contest:
- Carmazzi Caramel Corn’s Chocolate Drizzle Caramel Corn Made in Sacramento
- Ginger Elizabeth’s Artisan Chocolates Made in Sacramento
Bay Area Manufacturers in the Contest:
- GILLIG’s Battery Electric Bus Made in Livermore
- Hydrogen Sports’ Proton Ball Machine Made in Santa Clara
- Pivotal’s Helix Personal eVTOL Aircraft Made in Palo Alto
- Zoox’s Robotaxi Made in Fremont
Los Angeles Area Manufacturers in the Contest:
- Lockheed Martin’s X-59 Made in Palmdale
- Phenix Technology’s First Due Firefighting Helmet Made in Riverside
- Ryvid’s Anthem Electric Motorcycle Made in San Bernadino
- Boeing’s Orca – XLUUV (Extra Large, Uncrewed, Undersea Vehicle) Made in Huntington Beach
- Magnuson Superchargers’ 2024 Mustang Magnuson Supercharger Made in Ventura
- Northrop Grumman’s World’s Fastest Microchip Made in Redondo Beach
San Diego Manufacturers in the Contest:
- Amai Inc.’s Edible Cups Made in Carlsbad
- Truvian’s Automated Benchtop Blood Testing Analyzer Made in San Diego
Central Coast Manufacturers in the Contest:
- Joby’s S4 Made in Marina
Mojave Manufacturers in the Contest:
- Stratolaunch’s Talon-A Hypersonic Testbed Made in Mojave
Hosted by the CMTA, the “Coolest Thing Made in California” contest highlights the vital role manufacturing plays in California’s economy, which employs 1.3 million people and contributes $310 billion to the state’s annual GDP with its 30,000 manufacturers. The competition aims to highlight the remarkable products that have originated from the diverse and dynamic landscape of California.
Top 16 Voting Round Details:
- Voting Method: Visit our official website here and follow the simple steps to cast your votes for your favorite product.
- Voting Impact: The top 16 round votes will determine which products move on to the Top 8 bracket.
Coolest Thing Made in California Schedule:
- Top 16 Round Voting: Aug. 26-29
- Top 8 Round Voting: Sept. 2-5
- Top 4 Round Voting: Sept. 9-12
- Winner Announced: Oct. 18 at CMTA’s MakingCA Conference during Manufacturing Month
For more information about the contest, please visit CoolestThingCalifornia.com.
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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.