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.
Global Technology Leader Hitachi Joins CMTA
Sacramento, Calif. – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) welcomed new member Hitachi to the organization today. The Hitachi Group is a global leader in digital innovation and sustainable solutions, with operations in various industries...
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...
CMTA Lands at the Paris Air Show
CMTA is at the 2025 Paris Air Show, highlighting California’s vital role in the international aerospace industry. See our live updates!
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...
Manufacturing in the News: May 2025
Scroll through CMTA's round-up of manufacturing-related news and updates from May 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...
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,...
Nationally Recognized Firm Eide Bailly Joins CMTA
Sacramento, Calif. –The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) welcomed new member Eide Bailly to the organization today. Eide Bailly is a certified public accounting and business advisory firm, providing leaders of all levels with solutions...
CMTA Celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage with Manufacturing Leaders
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...
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...
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...
Press Release
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.
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 Association (CMTA), highlights innovation and craftsmanship across the Golden State.
Designed to reduce the sound of a sonic boom to a gentle “thump,” the X-59 is a groundbreaking aerospace innovation paving the way for the future of quiet, faster-than-sound flight. The project represents years of engineering collaboration and cutting-edge design, all taking place at the company’s Skunk Works facility in Palmdale, CA.
“We’re honored that Californians chose the X-59 as the Coolest Thing Made in California,” said Patrick LeBeau, X-59 Program Manager. “This recognition celebrates the groundbreaking technology and precision engineering behind the X-59, and the incredible dedication of our Palmdale team and partners. We thank CMTA and everyone who voted for helping shine a spotlight on California’s world-class manufacturing.”
Pictured above, Senator Roger Niello presented the award to Lockheed Martin representatives at the event on October 22, 2025 at The Citizen Hotel in Sacramento.
“This year’s winner showcases the best of California manufacturing, with groundbreaking innovation, world-class talent, and an unshakable commitment to pushing boundaries,” said Lance Hastings, CMTA’s President & CEO. “The aerospace industry is a cornerstone of our state’s economy. Companies like Lockheed Martin remind us that the future of flight, and so much more, is being built here in California. This contest celebrates the people and products that keep our state making, creating, and leading.”
CMTA’s annual Coolest Thing Made in California contest celebrates the creativity, skill, and innovation across every sector and region—and the companies driving the state’s $394 billion manufacturing industry. The 2025 contest drew record engagement, with more than 160 nominations and hundreds of thousands of votes cast from across California.
Representatives from CMTA and Lockheed Martin are available for interviews. For inquiries, contact CMTA’s Communications Director, Rebecca Elliott, at relliott@cmta.net.
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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 1.3 million Californians paying wages more than $25,000 higher than other non-farm employers in the state.
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 manufacturing landscape, leaders of Hispanic heritage are advancing sustainable practices, promoting inclusive workplaces, and shaping the way we design, build, and lead.
This Hispanic Heritage Month, we are featuring Francisco Santos, Production Lead at Torani, a CMTA Member company, in San Leandro. Francisco shares both his professional insights and how his experience at Torani, guided by the company’s People-First Culture, has shaped him into the leader he is today, offering a unique perspective to California’s manufacturing community.
Francisco Santos | Production Lead at Torani
Career Journey:
Francisco Santos began his career in food preparation, working at various restaurants across the San Francisco Bay Area. He enjoyed creating food and seeing the joy it brought to others. After a few years, he transitioned to Tree Fresh Juice Co., which later became part of Naked Juice, where he gained experience in multiple roles and developed his skills over time. In 2002, ready to grow further in manufacturing, Francisco joined Torani in the Bay Area. Since then, he has taken on many exciting projects, including one of his biggest contributions: supporting Torani’s move from South San Francisco to San Leandro.
Insights on Hispanic or Latino Representation in the Indsutry:
“Latinos are already a major part of the manufacturing workforce, especially in areas like food production and automotive parts, working as machine operators, assemblers, and in many other roles. Their representation is important because it brings different experiences and perspectives that help the industry grow and find new ideas. As the workforce becomes more diverse, it also helps companies connect better with their communities.”
DEI Efforts at Torani:
Torani prioritizes its people, from employees to community members, fostering inclusiveness and well-being both within its operations and through community partnerships. The company strives to create a welcoming workplace while supporting local organizations such as East Bay Innovations and the Boys and Girls Club of San Leandro. This commitment reflects Torani’s mission: “Flavor for All, Opportunity for All.”
On the meaning of AAPI Heritage Month to Francisco:
“For me, Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the independence of Latin American countries, which began on September 15, 1821. It’s also a moment to recognize the contributions, culture, and achievements of Hispanic and Latin American communities in the United States. We celebrate through community events and family gatherings that bring people together to celebrate our culture.”
Francisco’s Proudest Moment at Torani:
Francisco is especially proud of helping Torani transition from South San Francisco to San Leandro. He was selected to join the team that developed processes and designed the layout for the new Flavor Factory. He found it rewarding to know he contributed to building something vital for the company’s future.
The perspective and insights from Francisco reflect the spirit of Hispanic Heritage Month and the dedication and hard work that the Hispanic community has contributed to California’s manufacturing industry. His experience represents the many voices in the industry driving meaningful change. As California maintains its leadership in manufacturing, diverse voices will continue to shape stronger, more inclusive, and forward-looking industries for everyone.
Learn more about Torani, a CMTA member company, and its “Flavor for all, Opportunity for all” strategy and history here.