California’s manufacturing strength doesn’t just come from its largest companies. It’s built on a powerful network of small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs). These businesses often operate outside the spotlight, but they are essential to the state’s economy, creating strong supply chains and local jobs across California.
CMTA advocates on behalf of manufacturers of all sizes. We ensure that the industry voice is strong inside the State Capitol, so that makers can keep creating, innovating, and making the coolest things.
New this year! The SMM Bracket puts small and medium-sized manufacturers in the spotlight, creating a more level playing field to compete for the title of Coolest Thing Made in California. Here’s how it works:
How the brackets work…
After the Popular Round, products are split into two separate pools.
- The Top 16 products made by large manufacturers will move on to the bracket, just like always.
- New this year, the Top 16 products made by small-to-medium manufacturers also advance into a separate SMM bracket.
- Both the large manufacturers bracket and the SMM bracket will run simultaneously during the Top 16 round, Top 8 round, and Top 4.
- A winner from each category will be recognized at the culmination of the contest.
Even more chances to vote!
After voting in the large manufacturer bracket each round, you’ll be prompted to “vote in the SMM bracket” too — so you can help decide both winners. You don’t have to vote in the SMM bracket, but your vote helps put a spotlight on small makers across California. The style and rules for voting are exactly the same in both brackets.
How products are categorized
A product’s bracket is determined by its manufacturer size, not by how it compares to the other pool. A product cannot compete in both brackets; it competes in one bracket only, based on whether it qualifies as made by a large manufacturer or SMM. For this contest, a product will qualify for the SMM Bracket if its manufacturer has 200 or fewer employees.
Two brackets. Twice the competition. Twice the California manufacturing pride.
