Reinventing Manufacturing

Reinventing Manufacturing: How the Transformation of Manufacturing Is Creating New Opportunity for California

California—with its diverse economy and history of innovation—is well positioned to capture future growth in many manufacturing sectors, but state and local governments will need more targeted policy tools to stimulate commercialization of new products, close the workforce gap, and incentivize more manufacturers to locate within the state. While the offshoring of production and automation technology have fundamentally transformed the industry, high-skilled manufacturing jobs are essential to a balanced, competitive economy. Today, advanced manufacturing techniques, the growing maker movement, and a renewed national interest in research and development have led to a reinvention of the manufacturing industry.

Contributors

Sean Randolph, PhD
Sean Randolph, PhD
Economic Institute Senior Director
Jeff Bellisario
Jeff Bellisario
Economic Institute, Vice President
Matthew Gardner

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Reinventing Manufacturing

Technology is revolutionizing manufacturing processes through innovations in 3D printing, robotics and big data (the Internet of Things) – often based on innovations that come from California. A range of factors, including rising labor costs in China, are leading some manufacturers to bring production home. California is in a good position to capture much of this growth, but needs policies that support and incentivize investment.