CMTC Manufacturing Blog

Posted by Steven Brand

* NOTE: This blog has been updated to reflect new laws going into effect in 2021.

The Golden State began leading the way in workplace anti-harassment training in 2004, establishing a bill that required supervisors to learn about the subject. Covered under the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), Assembly Bill 1825 stated that employers must “take reasonable steps to prevent and correct wrongful behavior in the workplace.” Since then, additional Senate Bills have been signed in an effort to make anti-harassment training more effective, which we will cover below.

Posted by Steven Brand

Conferences are a great way for you and your team to network with others, demo exciting new technologies, learn about topics that interest you, and gain valuable insights from industry experts. Thankfully, there’s no shortage of events happening in 2020! Here are 30 conferences happening in California and throughout North America that you can attend.

Posted by Steven Brand

Manufacturers in California account for nearly 11% of the total output in the state, employing almost 8% of the workforce. California is also the top exporting state in the country, shipping out hundreds of billions worth of goods and services in 2018. 

Posted by Steven Brand

As the year draws to a close, we always like to take a look back on the events and people that made a difference in manufacturing throughout the past 12 months. We celebrate successes such as Manufacturing Day and the all-new Manufacturing Month, and look at ways to overcome challenges, whether it’s maintaining growth or competing more effectively overseas. We also like to take a look at what interested you, our readers, the most in our blogs.

Posted by Steven Brand

Last year, the United States exported $2.5 trillion—yes, trillion—dollars worth of goods and services to foreign countries. Our nation is the third-largest exporter in the world, trailing only China and the European Union. Within our borders, California is by far the top exporting state, shipping out nearly $280 billion worth of goods and services in 2018. Have you got in on global trade yet, or are you letting the competition reap all the rewards? For many small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs), entering the exporting arena often comes down to a matter of knowledge and cost. But did you know that there federal programs available to assist you?

Posted by Steven Brand

Technology is evolving at an astonishing pace, changing the way we live and the way we do business. Of course, it’s not just Silicon Valley tech companies that need to keep up with these advancements. Today, businesses big and small, across all industries, need to prioritize technology in order to effectively compete, keep operations running efficiently, and deliver greater value to customers. Manufacturers that allow themselves to fall behind simply enable others to step up and steal their customers, and potentially their entire business.

Posted by Steven Brand

Industry 4.0, sometimes called the Fourth Industrial Revolution or Smart Manufacturing has blurred the lines between the physical and the digital worlds. It’s comprised of transformative technologies that will impact all manufacturers, using intelligent or smart machinery to automate and optimize the shop floor, in turn producing more and wasting less—at lower costs.

Posted by Steven Brand

Today, October 4th is Manufacturing Day, or MFG Day! That means manufacturers across California and the country will be opening their doors to students, educators, elected officials, and the media to spread the word about the importance of manufacturing, the benefits it brings to our nation, and career opportunities within the industry. This event has grown in size since its inception in 2012, and last year, more than 580 sites hosted, participated in, or sponsored events in the Golden State alone. The tremendous success of this initiative has led to the creation of Manufacturing Month in California (MFG Month-CA), which kicks off today as well and runs through October.

Posted by Steven Brand

If you remember the woodworking, metalworking, and auto shop classes that used to be taught in high school, you already have an idea of what a makerspace is. Makerspaces, sometimes called Maker Labs, are defined as “a place in which people with shared interests can gather to work on projects while sharing ideas, equipment, and knowledge.” Of course, today, there is usually a lot more technology involved, as makerspaces put more focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) concepts.

Posted by Steven Brand

The food industry is evolving rapidly, with consumers demanding quality, authenticity, and transparency from food manufacturers. And they’re not just demanding it, they’re “voting with their dollars,” supporting companies that align with their personal beliefs. To keep up with consumer demand—and to keep up your bottom line—it’s important to understand their needs and make changes that support them. In doing so, you can improve your product quality, reduce waste, inspire brand loyalty, compete more effectively, and avert potential media or food safety disasters.