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. 

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...

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,...

Leading Developer in Energy Storage Solutions Joins CMTA

Sacramento, Calif. – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) welcomed new member Convergent Energy and Power (Convergent) to the organization today. Convergent is a leading provider of energy storage solutions in North America. The...

Global leader in launch and space systems Rocket Lab joins CMTA

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,...

Press Release

Manufacturing Minute: Amazon Opens New Zoox Robotaxi Factory in California

From electric robotaxis in the Bay Area to expanded aerial intelligence in Southern California, this week’s Manufacturing Minute, powered by Tri Tool Technologies, spotlights the latest wave of innovation shaping U.S. manufacturing.  

This week’s Manufacturing Minute features General Motors (GM) announcing a $4 billion investment to boost domestic vehicle production, Amazon’s Zoox announcing a state-of-the-art robotaxi production facility in Hayward, CA, and Quantum Systems opening a cutting-edge manufacturing site in Moorpark, CA.

 

Watch the latest Manufacturing Minute episode in the video player above. 

 

General Motors Doubles Down on U.S. Manufacturing 

 

AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File

First, General Motors has announced plans to invest $4 billion over the next two years in three manufacturing plants—including Orion Assembly in Michigan, Fairfax Assembly in Kansas, and Spring Hill Manufacturing in Tennessee—to boost U.S. production of both gas and electric vehicles. This expansion will allow GM to assemble more than two million vehicles per year in the U.S. and follows a separate $888 million investment in its Tonawanda Propulsion plant in New York. The Orion plant, originally being retooled for electric pickups, will now also produce gas-powered SUVs and light-duty trucks starting in 2027. Meanwhile, Factory ZERO will focus solely on electric models, such as the Chevrolet Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV, while Fairfax and Spring Hill will handle models including the Chevrolet Equinox, Blazer, and Bolt EV. GM currently employs nearly one million people across 50 plants in 19 states. 

 

Amazon Opens a New California Robotaxi Factory 

 

Photo Courtesy: Zoox

Amazon is moving full speed ahead in autonomous vehicle production with the opening of a 220,000-square-foot robotaxi factory in Hayward, CA. The facility, operated by Zoox—Amazon’s self-driving startup acquired in 2020—marks the first purpose-built robotaxi production site in the U.S. Once fully operational, it will have the capacity to produce more than 10,000 robotaxis annually. The Zoox brand plans to begin transporting customers in Las Vegas later this year, with plans to expand into San Francisco in 2026. Local leaders have praised the project for bringing high-paying, high-skilled jobs and creating educational and economic opportunities for the region. The Hayward investment reflects Amazon’s broader push into the autonomous vehicle market and positions the Bay Area as a hub for mobility innovation.

 

Quantum Systems Brand New Facility in Southern California

 

Photo Courtesy: Quantum Systems

Finally, Quantum Systems has officially opened its new 135,000-square-foot U.S. production and integration facility in Moorpark, CA, signaling a major expansion of its electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aerial intelligence capabilities. The facility will support Quantum Systems’ growing operations in North and Latin America, with plans to employ over 100 professionals in the region by the end of 2025. Outfitted with secure manufacturing lines, R&D labs, flight operations, and administrative offices, the site will streamline development and production of the company’s Family of Systems—Vector AI, Twister, and Reliant. The new location consolidates all U.S. operations under one roof and replaces Quantum Systems’ previous sites in Moorpark. With a global presence in countries such as Germany, Ukraine, and Australia, this move enhances the company’s ability to quickly respond to evolving mission requirements for its defense and security partners.

Stay up to date with all manufacturing news by following CMTA on social media. 

Manufacturing Minute: Stratolaunch Achieves Hypersonic Flight Milestone in California

From record-breaking speed in the stratosphere to clean propulsion in the harbor, California is powering the future of manufacturing. This week’s Manufacturing Minute powered by Tri Tool Technologies features Marine Group Boat Works’ electrification of its diesel yard tug, Stratolaunch’s successful reusable hypersonic flight, and Siemens Healthineers’ $150 million investment to expand U.S. operations and relocate production from Mexico to California.  

These developments underscore the state’s leadership in sustainability, aerospace, and advanced medical technology. 

 

Watch the latest Manufacturing Minute episode in the video player above. 

 

Marine Group Boat Works Launches First Electric Yard Tug 

 

Photo Courtesy of Marine Group Boat Works

First, Marine Group Boat Works (MGBW), a family-owned shipbuilder based in Chula Vista, California, has completed San Diego’s first conversion of a diesel yard tugboat to fully electric propulsion. The tug, MARCO V, was retrofitted with a state-of-the-art electric operating system, offering comparable performance to diesel engines while producing zero emissions. This initiative demonstrates MGBW’s commitment to sustainability, complementing its already electric-heavy fleet and upcoming 750kW solar installation—set to make it the only solar-powered boatbuilder in California. With over 2,000 labor hours invested in the project, MARCO V now serves as a working model for scalable, cost-effective electric tug repowers, advancing California’s goal for zero-emission propulsion systems by 2035.

 

Stratolaunch Reaches Hypersonic Milestone 

 

Photo Courtesy of Stratolaunch

Stratolaunch, an aerospace company headquartered in California, has successfully completed its second hypersonic test flight and recovery with the Talon-A2 (TA-2) vehicle, confirming its reusability and performance at speeds exceeding Mach 5. The March 2025 mission builds on the success of a similar flight and recovery in December 2024, further advancing the U.S.’s capacity for reusable hypersonic systems since the end of the X-15 program in 1968. Conducted in partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense’s MACH-TB program and Leidos, these test flights are designed to accelerate hypersonic development timelines. CEO Dr. Zachary Krevor praised the team’s achievements, which included executing multiple Roc and Talon-A test flights within a single year. 

 

Siemens Healthineers Invest $150M in US Manufacturing 

 

Photo Courtesy of Siemens Healthineers

Finally, Siemens Healthineers announced a $150 million investment to expand its U.S. operations, including relocating manufacturing for its radiation oncology unit, Varian, from Mexico to Palo Alto, California. The move is expected to create 50 new jobs and simplify the company’s supply chain, especially as it faces tariff pressures from both European and Mexican imports. In addition to this relocation, Siemens is investing $141 million in a new Experience Center in North Carolina to strengthen research and innovation efforts in the U.S. These investments are part of the company’s strategy to mitigate international trade impacts and respond more efficiently to demand for its advanced radiotherapy solutions. 

Stay up to date with all manufacturing news by following CMTA on social media. 

Manufacturing Minute: Anheuser-Busch Invests $300M in U.S. Manufacturing

Anheuser-Busch is investing $300 million in U.S. manufacturing, continuing its 165-year legacy of American production. This week’s Manufacturing Minute highlights how CMTA member companies Anheuser-Busch and John Deere, along with the Small Business Administration, are driving growth and innovation across the domestic manufacturing sector. 

 

Watch the latest Manufacturing Minute episode in the video player above. 

 

Anheuser-Busch Announces $300M Investment Across U.S. Facilities

 

Photo Courtesy of Anheuser-Busch

First, Anheuser-Busch announced a $300 million investment in its manufacturing operations nationwide for 2025. This investment builds on nearly $2 billion spent over the past five years to enhance facilities, advance technology, and grow the workforce. A key focus of this initiative, called Brewing Futures, is expanding the company’s Technical Excellence Centers, including a new regional facility in Columbus, Ohio, aimed at upskilling employees and opening doors to trade school students and educators. Anheuser-Busch is also pioneering veteran workforce support by partnering with the Manufacturing Institute’s Heroes MAKE America program and adopting a digital credentialing system to translate military skills into manufacturing careers. Steel has officially broken ground on its Mojave Micro Mill, marking the first steel mill to be built in California in over 50 years. Located in Mojave, California, this 500,000-square-foot facility is expected to create nearly 700 new jobs, including roles for electricians, welders, and automation specialists. The mill will set new standards in clean steel manufacturing, featuring innovative carbon capture and high-efficiency filtration systems to minimize emissions. Furthermore, the project supports California’s carbon-neutral goals by dedicating 63 acres to on-site renewable energy. With a focus on producing steel for public infrastructure, the mill is positioned to localize the supply chain and contribute to regional economic growth.

 

John Deere Commits $20 Billion to Expand U.S. Manufacturing

 

Photo Courtesy of John Deere

John Deere reaffirmed its commitment to U.S. manufacturing with a pledge to invest $20 billion over the next decade. CEO John May emphasized that the investment will support workforce development, facility upgrades, and manufacturing expansions across more than a dozen states. This plan builds on Deere’s $2.5 billion investment since 2019 and includes $100 million dedicated to U.S. facilities in 2025 alone. Despite challenges and some operations moving overseas, John Deere currently employs 30,000 people in the U.S. and has a significant economic impact on its hometown communities. The company also continues to prioritize veteran hiring and diversity initiatives as part of its broader workforce development efforts. 

 

Small Business Administration Boosts ‘Made in America’ Manufacturing with New Funding

 

The United States Capitol

Finally, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is ramping up support for small and mid-sized manufacturers through new funding and training opportunities. As part of its Made in America Manufacturing Initiative, the SBA will award up to $1.1 million to three organizations that provide business courses, hands-on training, and consulting to small manufacturers nationwide. The agency is also working to reduce regulatory burdens and expand financing options, including proposed legislation to increase small business loan limits from $5 million to $10 million. These efforts aim to strengthen the manufacturing sector by helping smaller companies grow their operations and workforce in today’s competitive market.

Stay up to date with all manufacturing news by following CMTA on social media. 

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