Sacramento, Calif. – In recognition of May as Small Business Month, the California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) is celebrating the role small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) play in driving California’s economy, strengthening supply chains, and shaping communities.
California’s manufacturing industry employs more than 1.2 million Californians, with 89% of those manufacturers classified as small businesses. SMMs play critical roles not only as job creators, but also as innovators and community anchors.
“Small and medium-sized manufacturers are the connective tissue of California’s manufacturing economy,” said Lance Hastings, President & CEO of CMTA. “They are the suppliers and problem-solvers keeping production moving. When we support SMMs, we strengthen the entire industrial ecosystem.”
From family-owned operations to rapidly scaling advanced manufacturers, SMMs produce essential goods and support industries from aerospace to energy. They serve as the backbone of California’s supply chain, providing components and services that keep larger production networks running. The agility and niche expertise of SMMs make them indispensable partners in the state’s economy.
“As a small manufacturer, you feel every policy decision in real time on your shop floor and in your ability to compete,” said Pamela Kan, Chair of CMTA’s SMM Committee and owner of Bishop-Wisecarver. “To continue contributing to strong supply chains and creating California jobs, SMMs need balanced policies and the right resources.”
California SMMs play significant roles not just across the state, but also in global advancements. One example is the Wing Group, a manufacturer based in Arcata, CA, which contributed to NASA’s Artemis II mission through its portfolio of companies, supplying the watercraft, life jackets, rescue suits, and onboard safety equipment used to recover astronauts upon landing. The Wing Group represents one of many California SMMs that drive a healthy supply chain and the state’s economy.
CMTA advocates for policies that reduce barriers and create opportunities for manufacturers of all sizes. As California recognizes Small Business Month, CMTA encourages policymakers and communities to support the SMMs who are essential to the state’s economic vitality and future.
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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 $2,500 higher than other non-farm employers in the state.