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 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...
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...
Press Release
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.
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 one critical “Maker” bill.
“Breaker” bills are proposals that threaten California’s manufacturing competitiveness by adding new costs, restrictions, or litigation threats that negatively impact the industry and the Californians it employs.
Breaker Bills: Defeated Threats to California Manufacturers
AB 914 (Garcia): Added new fees and regulations, increasing costs for manufacturers.
Would have authorized California Air Resources Board (CARB) to impose new fees and rules on facilities and vehicles, increasing costs across the supply chain.
AB 1018 (Bauer-Kahan): Mandated costly new audits and liability risks.
Would have required costly audits, disclosures, and oversight on automated systems, creating compliance risks for manufacturers using or developing new technologies.
AB 1331 (Elhawary): Limited workplace safety and compliance monitoring.
Would have prohibited employers from using surveillance tools in off-duty areas, complicating compliance and safety efforts.
SB 45 (Padilla): Increased packaging compliance costs.
Would have required tethered caps on beverage containers by 2027 and removed curbside recycling incentives.
SB 222 (Wiener): Drove up energy costs.
Would have allowed new lawsuits against energy companies, leading to gas price hikes of 63% and electricity increases of 55%, costing families $6,200 more annually.
SB 318 (Becker): Expanded costly air district requirements.
Would have broadened permitting obligations for facilities, slowing innovation and raising compliance costs.
SB 684 (Menjivar) & AB 1243 (Addis): Retroactive energy taxes.
Would have required energy producers to pay retroactive fees for decades of emissions, raising costs across California’s economy.
“This year, manufacturers proved once again that when we speak with a united voice, we can both grow opportunities and stop harmful policies that drive jobs and businesses out of California,” said Lance Hastings, President & CEO of CMTA.
CMTA also announced the successful passage of one “Maker” bill. “Maker” bills are legislative proposals that strengthen California’s ability to manufacture goods, expanding opportunities for innovation, investment, and good-paying jobs.
Maker Bills: Building California’s Manufacturing Future
SB 86 (McNerney): Sales and Use Tax Exclusion – Lowers upfront costs for manufacturers.
Extends the California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority sales and use tax exclusion program through 2028 and expands eligibility to include fusion energy projects. This keeps California competitive for advanced manufacturing investment and ensures communities and workers benefit.
Status: Passed, headed to the Governor’s desk.
SB 587 (Grayson): Manufacturing Tax Credit – Supports growth and expansion.
Provides a new personal income tax credit for manufacturers starting in 2026, offsetting costs and incentivizing expansion in California.
Status: On hold until next year.
“By securing an important Maker bill and defeating every Breaker bill, CMTA protected California’s competitiveness and ensured manufacturers can continue to grow and thrive in our state,” continued Hastings.
CMTA will continue working with lawmakers, regulators, and industry partners to ensure California remains a state where manufacturers can thrive. For inquiries, please contact CMTA Vice President of Communications, Nina Fisher, at nfisher@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 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 session.
“California’s 34,000 manufacturers work hard to keep goods affordable, but poorly crafted policies drive up costs and make families pay more,” warned Lance Hastings, President & CEO of CMTA. “There’s no rush on cap-and-trade this year. Waiting will allow for a transparent process that leads to better outcomes for all Californians.”
Cap-and-trade is one of California’s most consequential climate policies, particularly for the state’s manufacturing industry. It directly impacts energy prices, the cost of goods and services, and the state’s economic competitiveness. The program also generates billions in funding for climate investments while providing a pathway for affordable emissions reductions.
For nearly 20 years, manufacturers have participated in and paid into California’s cap-and-trade program. They have a direct stake in any reauthorization, and CMTA continues to advocate for their voices to be heard. Yet with less than a week before the end of session, no bill language has been made public.
CMTA outlined three key concerns:
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Lack of transparency: Rewriting the backbone of California’s climate policy behind closed doors and outside the regular committee process undermines public trust and risks program durability.
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Affordability risks: Draft concepts point to higher allowance prices, restricted offsets, and weakened industrial protections, all of which would drive up compliance costs and ultimately raise prices for California families.
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Competitiveness and jobs: A rushed, costly deal would accelerate the loss of manufacturing jobs and investment to other states, undercutting California’s economy while doing little for global emissions.
“The current program is working,” Hastings said. “Any reauthorization of cap-and-trade must be workable and durable. That will take time to craft. A last-minute deal would only destabilize the program, harm families, and drive jobs out of California. Manufacturers are calling for lawmakers to slow down and get this right.”
With the current cap-and-trade program not expiring until 2030, there is no urgency to pass cap-and-trade this year. Delaying until next year allows time for a transparent, thoughtful process that includes manufacturers and other industry leaders, resulting in better policy for all Californians.
“No bill is better than a bad bill,” concluded Hastings.
For inquiries, please contact CMTA Vice President of Communications, Nina Fisher, at nfisher@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.