SFMade’s 3rd Annual State of Local Manufacturing Breakfast opened to a sold-out crowd of 240 professionals connected to the local manufacturing sector. Mayor Ed Lee inspired the crowd with his 5-point PDR (Production, Distribution and Repair) work plan to create more space for industrial uses in San Francisco. Kate Sofis, SFMade’s Founding Executive Director, presented the key findings of the State of Local Manufacturing Report and shared stories and trends for the sector. The local manufacturing sector now employs over 4,000 workers and showed a 15% new job growth over last year. The food and beverage sector added the highest number of workers in 2013–14 with over 100 new jobs.
Roger Wade from BoxPark shared his thoughts on the new retail frontier. The story of Magnolia Brewing’s growth was shared in this video. To wrap up the program, advanced manufacturing took center stage with Danielle Applestone from Other Machine Co., John Vegher of Moddler, and Steve Heintz from Quirky. Vicki Joseph, Northern California Region Director for Citi Community Development – the lead sponsor, offered comments on their support of local manufacturing here in San Francisco and nation-wide through the Urban Manufacturing Alliance.
Special thanks to all the sponsors:
Exclusive Media Sponsor – SFGate.com, Anchor Brewing, Coblentz Patch Duffy Bass LLP, Comerica, First Bank, Forest City Development, Hanson Bridgett LLP, Hood & Strong, Maureen Futtner and Associates, McRoskey Mattress Company, Moss Adams, New Resource Bank, Orton Development, Oz Erickson, PG & E, Rickshaw Bagworks, Pacific Waterfront Partners, The San Francisco Giants, TMG Partners, Union Bank, US Bank, and Zazzle Inc.
Photo credit: Waldman Photography, www.waldmanphotography.com