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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. 

PG&E and Acena Consulting Join CMTA as Associate Members

Nov 7, 2024

Sacramento, Calif. – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) is proud to welcome two new associate members, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and Acena Consulting to the association. Both companies bring significant expertise that...

CMTA Sponsors City of Fremont’s 13th Annual Manufacturing Week

Oct 30, 2024

Fremont, Calif. – In recognition of National Manufacturing Day on Oct. 4, the City of Fremont hosted its 13th annual celebration of Manufacturing Week from Oct. 8 to Oct. 14. Sponsored by the California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA), the weeklong...

2024 MakingCA Conference Recap

Oct 29, 2024

Innovation in Manufacturing: Bridging the Gap Between Tradition & Technology 100 people joined CMTA to celebrate California’s 30,000 manufacturers during the 2nd Annual MakingCA Conference on Friday, October, 18, 2024. Speakers included CEO of People’s First Beef...

Op-Ed: AI Needs Carefully Crafted Regulations That Foster Innovation

Sep 26, 2024

-This commentary was originally published in Capitol Weekly's September Issue, written by Lance Hastings and Samantha Corbin. Hastings is the President and CEO of the California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA), and Corbin is the Senior Policy Advisor...

Press Release

Porsche Consulting Joins CMTA’s Member Network

Apr 9, 2025

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 was founded in 1994 out of the successful transformation of Porsche into one of the world’s most profitable and admired sports and luxury car companies.

“It’s with great pride and excitement that we welcome Porsche Consulting to CMTA,” said Lance Hastings, President & CEO of CMTA. “As the industry evolves, having a partner like Porsche Consulting—rooted in world-class strategy and efficiency—will help California manufacturers stay competitive and drive forward innovation.”

Porsche Consulting works with companies globally to assist in strategic development and performance management. With a strong operational heritage, Porsche Consulting is uniquely positioned to deliver its expertise across a diverse set of industries, from mobility to life sciences, from industrial goods to energy and aerospace, and from construction to consumer goods.

“We are excited to join CMTA and look forward to contributing to the dynamic manufacturing community throughout California,” said Gregor Harman, President & CEO – North America, at Porsche Consulting. “With a mutual goal of supporting businesses through innovation, Porsche Consulting is thrilled to work alongside CMTA to foster sustainable growth across the industry.”

The consultancy has supported some of the world’s largest companies in solving complex problems around operations strategy, performance improvement, supply chain management, procurement, and digital transformation.

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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 $2,500 higher than other non-farm employers in the state.

About Porsche Consulting

Porsche Consulting is a leading consultancy for putting strategies into practice, they have a clear mission: to generate competitive advantage based on measurable results. They think strategically and act pragmatically — while always focusing on people.

They provide excellence in the fields of Strategy and Organization, Brand and Sales, Development and Technology, as well as Operations from locations in Germany, Italy, France, China, Brazil, and the U.S.

Schneider Electric Joins CMTA

Apr 1, 2025

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 optimization, and digitalization. The company works to create impact by empowering all to make the most of energy and resources. Schneider Electric transforms energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure with digital solutions and empowers customers in states like California to measure, deliver, and save energy.

“I’m very excited to have Schneider Electric join CMTA as a member,” said Lance Hastings, President & CEO of CMTA. “Energy efficiency and sustainability are critical for the future of manufacturing and technology, and Schneider Electric’s leadership on these fronts reflects the future forward goals we work toward.”

“Schneider Electric develops and deploys innovative solutions critical to electrification, digitalization, and industrial optimization across all sectors of the economy,” said Michele Hix, Vice President of Strategic Customers at Schneider Electric North America. “Our technological expertise and commitment to next-generation manufacturing, coupled with CMTA’s advocacy for pro-growth policies, will help strengthen our ability to drive sustainable innovation in California.”

Schneider Electric has had a presence in the U.S. for more than 135 years and is a vital part of California’s efforts to lead the charge toward a more sustainable future. The company employs more than 900 team members across the state in Pleasanton, Menlo Park, Chino, Lake Forest, and Costa Mesa. The company’s government and community partnerships extend from installing a battery energy storage system at Marine Corps Air Station in Miramar to helping Modesto City Schools pioneer sustainability in education through installing charging infrastructure.

The company was recently ranked as one of Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work 2025, and the company is proud to be recognized as a 2025 Gold Military Friendly® employer.

In 2024, TIME magazine ranked Schneider Electric as the world’s most sustainable company.

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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 $2,500 higher than other non-farm employers in the state.

About Schneider Electric

Schneider’s purpose is to create impact by empowering all to make the most of our energy and resources, bridging progress and sustainability. At Schneider, we call this Life Is On.

Our mission is to be the trusted partner in Sustainability and Efficiency.

We are a global industrial technology leader bringing world-leading expertise in electrification, automation and digitalization to smart industries, resilient infrastructure, future-proof data centers, intelligent buildings, and intuitive homes. Anchored by our deep domain expertise, we provide integrated end-to-end lifecycle AI enabled Industrial IoT solutions with connected products, automation, software and services, delivering digital twins to enable profitable growth for our customers.

We are a people company with an ecosystem of 150,000 colleagues and more than a million partners operating in over 100 countries to ensure proximity to our customers and stakeholders. We embrace diversity and inclusion in everything we do, guided by our meaningful purpose of a sustainable future for all.

Largest Flexible Packaging Manufacturer for Produce Joins CMTA

Mar 13, 2025

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 manufacturer for produce in the U.S.

“I am excited to welcome Emerald Packaging to CMTA’s network of members,” said Lance Hastings, President & CEO of CMTA. “The company is a leader in sustainable packaging and exemplifies the forward-thinking approach that drives California’s manufacturing sector.”

The company has led the industry in addressing plastic waste for more than 20 years, and most recently helped shape California legislation that addresses the need for a better recycling infrastructure. Emerald Packaging introduced the first compostable packaging in the produce industry 15 years ago and continues to be recognized in the manufacturing sector for its innovation.

“We are excited to join CMTA and proud to be part of its influential network,” said Kevin Kelly, CEO of Emerald Packaging. “As a leader in sustainable packaging, we share CMTA’s commitment to driving innovation and shaping a brighter future for manufacturing in California.”

Emerald Packaging is also one of the few flexible packaging companies in the U.S. to become an Ellen MacArther signatory. Under its MacArthur commitments, the company will help drive the adoption of post-consumer recycled resin (PCR) in food packaging and has committed to taking steps to make reusable, recyclable, or compostable packaging in accordance with the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment (NPEGC).

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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 $2,500 higher than other non-farm employers in the state.

About Emerald Packaging

Emerald Packaging has been reinventing produce packaging for 60 years and is the largest flexible packaging manufacturer for produce in the U.S. The company specializes in fresh produce and bagged salads for many of today’s leading food companies nationwide. For over two decades, Emerald Packaging has led the industry in addressing plastic waste, most recently helping shape legislation in California that addresses the need for a better recycling infrastructure. Emerald is one of the few manufacturers to win California Green Business certification for its waste, water, and energy reduction efforts. It introduced the first compostable packaging in the produce industry 15 years ago and continues to test and experiment with new materials as they become available.

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