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.
2025 Holiday Gift Guide: Support California Makers
2025 California-Made Holiday Gift Guide Celebrate the season with gifts made by California’s most innovative manufacturers. From handcrafted treats to cutting-edge creations, these products showcase the creativity, expertise, and craftsmanship that make...
CMTA Elects New Board Officers
SACRAMENTO, CA – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) announced the election of new officers within its Board of Directors, underscoring the organization’s commitment to strong leadership representing California’s diverse manufacturing...
Proposed LA Stormwater Permit Could Cost Businesses $325,000 Per Acre
CMTA Sounds the Alarm on the Unclear and Unaffordable Mandate Los Angeles, Calif. – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) is urging the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board to halt consideration of a costly and poorly...
Manufacturing in the News: October 2025
Read CMTA's round-up of manufacturing-related news from October 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 Lockheed...
Experimental Jet Wins 2025 Coolest Thing Made in California Contest
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...
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...
Press Release
2025 Holiday Gift Guide: Support California Makers
2025 California–Made Holiday Gift Guide
Celebrate the season with gifts made by California’s most innovative manufacturers. From handcrafted treats to cutting-edge creations, these products showcase the creativity, expertise, and craftsmanship that make California’s manufacturing industry a leader in quality and innovation.
Whether you are shopping for friends, family, or yourself, this year’s CMTA Holiday California-Made Gift Guide highlights the makers turning ideas into products that represent the best of California manufacturing.
💦 AlkaGlam Sea Lava Clarifying Tonic | Made in Valencia, California
AlkaGlam Sea Lava Clarifying Tonic
Perfect Gift for the Skincare Lover
Give the gift of radiant skin this holiday season with AlkaVida’s AlkaGlam Sea Lava Clarifying Tonic.
Infused with natural volcanic minerals and sea botanicals, this refreshing tonic helps balance, purify, and rejuvenate the skin. It is a perfect self-care essential for anyone who loves clean beauty made in California.
🍿 Carmazzi Caramel Corn’s Popcorn Tub | Made in Sacramento, California
Carmazzi Caramel Corn Holiday Popcorn Tub
Shop this Delicious Caramel Corn
An award-winning popcorn, Carmazzi Caramel Corn, also known as “Lil’ Drops of Sunshine”, is handcrafted in small batches using real butter and Grandma Carmazzi’s original recipe. This Holiday Popcorn Tub is a festive treat filled with fresh, crunchy caramel corn that brings joy to every celebration.
Available in Classic, Chocolate Drizzle, Cheesy Corn, Apple Cinnamon, or Peppermint Bark.
🍷 GALLO’s Wine & Spirits | Produced in Modesto, California
J Cuvée 20 Brut | E&J Brandy
Explore J Vineyards & Winery | Explore E&J Brandy
Celebrate with elegance and tradition thanks to Gallo’s operations in Modesto, California. Whether it’s the sparkling wines of J Vineyards & Winery or the rich, smooth notes of E&J Brandy, these California-made products reflect decades of Gallo’s winemaking and distilling expertise.
Gallo’s headquarters and production base in Modesto make these gifts deeply rooted in California craftsmanship.
⛽ Gas Gift Cards
Gas Cards | Top Row Left to Right: BP, Shell, ExxonMobil, Cheveron | Bottom Left to Right: Valero, Marathon Petroleum, Phillips 66
Give the gift of convenience and travel with a gas gift card. Whether it is a road trip up the coast or a visit to loved ones, these cards are a practical and thoughtful way to spread holiday cheer.
🎸 Kauer Guitars | Made in Elk Grove, California
Kauer Guitars | Korona Supreme Model
Built by hand in Elk Grove, the Korona Supreme showcases master craftsmanship with premium woods, exceptional tone, and a distinct California-made aesthetic. A standout gift for musicians and collectors looking for a one-of-a-kind instrument.
☕️ Torani Syrups | Made in San Leandro, California
Puremade Forest Pine Syrup | Brown Sugar Syrup
Torani Puremade Forest Pine Syrup:
Inspired by California’s evergreen forests, this syrup brings a crisp, aromatic pine flavor to any drink. It’s made for holiday lattes, mocktails, or desserts—and makes a unique, festive gift for anyone who loves seasonal flavors.
Torani Brown Sugar Syrup:
With its warm, rich sweetness, this brown sugar syrup adds cozy depth to holiday drinks like spiced coffee, cocktails, or hot chocolate. Crafted in San Leandro, this syrup is a thoughtful addition for anyone building a home bar or beverage station.
Shop local – Gift California-made – Celebrate manufacturing.
California’s manufacturers continue to inspire with their creativity, innovation, and dedication to quality. By shopping local, you are supporting the businesses that keep our state’s economy strong and our communities thriving.
CMTA Elects New Board Officers
SACRAMENTO, CA – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) announced the election of new officers within its Board of Directors, underscoring the organization’s commitment to strong leadership representing California’s diverse manufacturing community.
Joe Ahn, Senior Manager and Director of Government Relations—Advanced Development Programs for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, was elected Chair of the Board of Directors. Ahn will complete the remainder of Margo Parks’ term following her transition to Neurocrine Biosciences.
Stephenie Shah, Senior Director of National State Government Affairs for E. & J. Gallo Winery, was elected Corporate Secretary.
Adrian Guerrero, Assistant Vice President of Public Affairs West for Union Pacific Railroad, was elected Chair of the Finance Committee.
“CMTA’s leadership continues to reflect the strength, innovation, and diversity of California manufacturing,” said Lance Hastings, CMTA President & CEO. “Joe, Stephenie, and Adrian each bring extensive experience and dedication to advancing policies that help manufacturers thrive and create opportunity across our state.”
CMTA represents California’s $382 billion manufacturing economy and serves as the unified voice of more than 45,000 manufacturing firms statewide.
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About CMTA
The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) 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 $382 billion per year, roughly 10 percent of the total economic output of the state. Manufacturers employ 1.2 million Californians paying wages more than $25,000 higher than other non-farm employers in the state.
Proposed LA Stormwater Permit Could Cost Businesses $325,000 Per Acre
CMTA Sounds the Alarm on the Unclear and Unaffordable Mandate
Los Angeles, Calif. – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) is urging the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board to halt consideration of a costly and poorly defined stormwater Permit that could devastate manufacturers, private employers, schools, hospitals, and community institutions across Southern California.
The proposed Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional (CII) Stormwater Permit could be voted on as soon as November 20, 2025, despite major unresolved issues and widespread confusion about who it would apply to and at what cost.
The proposed Permit blatantly picks winners and losers, exempting public institutions while forcing private organizations to shoulder massive new costs. Government-run entities like schools and hospitals would pay nothing, while their private counterparts could face up to $325,000 per acre in compliance costs. That means a five-acre private hospital could owe more than $1.6 million upfront, while the public institution across the street is completely exempt.
“The lack of clarity in this proposal means that countless businesses and organizations may not even know they’re affected until it’s too late,” said Lance Hastings, CMTA President & CEO. “The Board has a responsibility to clearly define who this Permit covers, ensure transparency, and meaningfully address ongoing concerns and significant costs before rushing to adopt it. We strongly urge the Board to pause and address these serious issues before moving forward.”
Despite years of written comments and attempted collaboration, the Board has failed to meaningfully engage with stakeholders to resolve significant ongoing concerns. The draft Permit remains vague, duplicative, and financially unworkable. For example, the Board assumes capital expenses can be amortized over 20 years at just 2% interest, ignoring real-world financing conditions and saddling businesses with millions in unrecoverable upfront costs.
On Friday, CMTA, joined by a broad coalition of business and institutional stakeholders, submitted a formal letter urging the Board to reject adoption of the current draft and direct staff to work directly with affected sectors to fix the outstanding issues. Click here to read the letter.
The coalition warns that adopting the Permit in its current form could set a damaging statewide precedent and expose the Permit to appeal to the State Water Resources Control Board and possible legal challenges. So far, the Board has not indicated whether it will heed these concerns or delay the vote.
“This isn’t about opposing environmental progress, it’s about ensuring fair, practical, and transparent rules,” Hastings said. “California manufacturers lead the nation in sustainability, but they need clear, achievable standards that don’t jeopardize their ability to operate or remain competitive in the state.”
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About CMTA
The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) 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 1.24 million Californians paying wages more than $25,000 higher than other non-farm employers in the state.