Category: News

Manufacturing in San Diego: More vital than you think

By Lindsey Silvia and Emily Irion,

This blog post is a part of a larger series in celebration of Manufacturing Month, sharing key trends from our report on San Diego’s Manufacturing sector.

READ THE full REPORT

San Diego is known for its sunny coastlines, vibrant tourism, and thriving biotech industry, but its Manufacturing sector is equally as diverse and dynamic. Manufacturing in the region is done using the most cutting-edge technology as well as traditional craftsmanship. This diversity reflects the region’s ability to adapt and evolve while creating a robust economic landscape with opportunities across a variety of industries.

The impact of the Manufacturing sector on San Diego’s economy may go unnoticed, but it’s a crucial contributor to the region, generating more than $47 billion annually when accounting for direct, indirect, and induced effects on the economy.

By the Numbers

 

With significant job concentration in Life Sciences, Technology, and Aerospace and Navigation technologies industries, manufacturing in San Diego is both sophisticated and advanced.

Why San Diego stands out

Three key factors set San Diego apart as a Manufacturing hub: talent, innovation, and proximity to key customers. See how local companies are taking advantage of all three below:

    1. Staying close to key customer base

      Stone Brewing is a unique story and part of a larger narrative of the region’s diverse Manufacturing landscape. A homegrown brewery, Stone Brewing was founded in San Diego County in 1996, playing a key role in establishing the region as a thriving craft beer hub. Its strategic location keeps it close to target customers and suppliers, while the vibrant brewing community attracts top talent. Now the largest craft brewery in California and the ninth-largest overall in the U.S., Stone continues to expand, reinforcing its presence in San Diego. Acquired by Japanese brewery Sapporo in 2022, Stone invested $20 million to expand its Escondido brewery. Now branded Sapporo-Stone Brewing, the brewer makes Sapporo’s beers in addition to its own, doubling output and expanding the Japanese brewery’s reach into the U.S. market. Its San Diego presence remains a strategic asset, benefiting from the region’s collaborative brewing community and loyal customer base.

    1. A hub for cutting-edge ideas

      San Diego consistently ranks in the top three Life Sciences markets in the U.S., often recognized as a hub for research and development (R&D). However, the region’s strength in manufacturing frequently goes overlooked.

      Founded in San Diego in 2017 by former Illumina leadership, Element Biosciences develops genetic analysis tools and human genome sequencing, reflecting the region’s cutting-edge genomics work. One of the key advantages to San Diego is the robust biotech ecosystem, specifically within Genomics, which fosters continuous innovation and cutting-edge ideas, creating an environment where a startup like Element can thrive. Element’s rapid growth in under seven years is partly due to the decision to continue manufacturing key components in San Diego, driven by proximity to critical R&D activities, access to top talent and reliable industry partners, and collaboration with local universities and industry giants. Like many Life Sciences companies in the region, Element stands out as both an R&D innovator and precision manufacturer, solidifying its role in San Diego’s innovation Manufacturing landscape.

    1. Driving San Diego’s next innovation cluster

      When people think of Manufacturing, they often picture large-scale assembly lines. In San Diego, smaller-scale Manufacturing with a greater emphasis on quality and precision is the region’s sweet spot.

      Aptera launched in 2019 out of co-CEO Steve Fambro’s garage. The solar electric vehicle company embodies the region’s burgeoning Cleantech hub, utilizing a micro-factory model. Aptera opts for smaller-scale operations and strategically selects markets close to its customer base. California’s environmental goals made the state an ideal fit for its innovative product. San Diego was also a natural choice for its founders, who had prior experience launching companies in the region.

      Beyond being a key market for customers, San Diego’s innovation ecosystem continues to provide access to top-tier talent for high-tech, cutting-edge roles. It also offers strategic supply chain advantages due to proximity to Los Angeles and, more importantly, to Tijuana, Mexico.

Supporting the ecosystem

Manufacturing in San Diego is a vital sector that supports more than 100,000 jobs, contributes significantly to local GDP, and fosters a thriving environment for innovation and growth. By focusing on nurturing talent, fueling innovation, and leveraging its strategic location, San Diego is well-positioned to sustain and grow its manufacturing expertise.

Local industry resources:

To read our full analytical manufacturing report click here.

San Diego’s Good News of the Week – October 4, 2024

By Enya Castañeda,

Every week, ‘Good News of the Week’ features a curation of positive headlines from San Diego, delivered straight to your inbox. A blend of aggregated stories from San Diego’s most trusted news sources and original EDC-created content, GNOTW provides a comprehensive recap of the region’s best stories from the past week. GNOTW is sponsored by ACE Parking.

Get Good News of the Week in your inbox every Friday. → Sign up

For the week of October 4, 2024, here’s what we’re reading:

…and here are some events and opportunities:

From our partners:

Case study: Cascade Energy helps local businesses decarbonize, reduce costs

Cascade Energy’s Strategic Energy Management program has helped regional businesses like GD NASSCO and Bimbo Bakeries decarbonize and lower utility costs. Following its latest successful cohort, Cascade is opening the program to new participants—and your business might be a good fit.

Read More and Get in Touch

 

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Enya Castañeda
Enya Castañeda

Coordinator, Investor Relations & Marketing Communications

San Diego’s Good News of the Week – September 27, 2024

By Enya Castañeda,

Every week, ‘Good News of the Week’ features a curation of positive headlines from San Diego, delivered straight to your inbox. A blend of aggregated stories from San Diego’s most trusted news sources and original EDC-created content, GNOTW provides a comprehensive recap of the region’s best stories from the past week. GNOTW is sponsored by Manpower San Diego.

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For the week of September 27, 2024, here’s what we’re reading:

…and here are some events and opportunities:

From our partners:

Case study: EDC’s Life Sciences Task Force spurs creation of City of San Diego permit program

In partnership with Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. and Biocom, EDC launched the Life Sciences Task Force in 2020 to better help the region’s Life Sciences sector growth. Amid continued permitting challenges, EDC collaborated with the City of San Diego’s Development Services Department to create a new pilot program dedicated to expediting Life Sciences permit processing—which helped permitting times drop 11 percent after just one month.

Learn How

 

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Enya Castañeda
Enya Castañeda

Coordinator, Investor Relations & Marketing Communications

Rep. Peters, WTCSD to lead Singapore trade mission to strengthen economic ties in Asia

By Bree Burris,

WORLD TRADE CENTER SAN DIEGO CONVENES REGIONAL LEADERS TO HELP BUSINESSES IN SAN DIEGO MEGA-REGION EXPAND GLOBALLY, CREATE LOCAL JOBS

In order to foster vital global economic partnerships, Congressman Scott Peters, San Diego Councilmember Raul Campillo, and World Trade Center San Diego (WTCSD), the international arm of San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC), are leading the 2024 trade delegation to Singapore. During the September 30—October 4 trade mission, business and civic leaders will promote the region’s key industries and seek to establish and strengthen business relationships across biotechnology, medical devices, advanced manufacturing, and urban infrastructure.

A generational shift in U.S. industrial strategy aimed at reducing reliance on China, coupled with federal legislation like the Chips and Science and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Acts, position Singapore as a natural partner in advanced industries. As national governments continue to incentivize the reshoring and nearshoring of activities, gateway regions like Singapore-Malaysia in Asia and San Diego-Tijuana in the Americas are perfectly positioned to take advantage of these global shifts.                                                    

“Singapore’s strategic position and expertise in innovation industries make it an ideal partner for our San Diego-Tijuana binational region,” said Congressman Scott Peters. “This trip with World Trade Center San Diego will help strengthen our global brand, drive investment, and bolster the resilience of our local businesses.”

Home to the world’s busiest transshipment port and border crossing, Singapore is a highly developed center for global trade and a hub for U.S. companies conducting business in Asia. Situated in one of the most strategically important locations on the planet, the city-state boasts a free and business-friendly economy with low corruption, low tax rates, a skilled workforce, and world-class infrastructure.

As the U.S. strengthens its alliances in Southeast Asia, San Diego finds in Singapore an economy with shared expertise in knowledge-intensive industries, including artificial intelligence, medical device manufacturing, and information communications technology. Singapore boasts satellite operations for some of San Diego’s premier innovators including Qualcomm, ResMed, and Illumina. Further, Singapore has poured $12.8 billion in FDI into the U.S. since 2019 in industries such as manufacturing, information communications technology, and energy. The U.S. has matched that amount, investing $12.5 billion during the same time period. Looking closer, Singapore is the #10 country investing venture capital into San Diego by deal count, just behind Denmark and India (2014—2020), primarily in the medical equipment and technology industries. Singapore also shares in San Diego’s binational identity, with Singapore-Johor seeing nearly 1.6x the number of border crossings per day compared to San Diego-Tijuana’s border (450,000 and 283,000, respectively).

“Guided by data and shifting geopolitics, each year WTCSD leads a trade mission to a strategic international metro. For 2024, Singapore was a standout choice for our delegation of public-private leaders,” said Nikia Clarke, executive director of World Trade Center San Diego and senior vice president at San Diego Regional EDC. “As gateway regions, Singapore-Malaysia in Asia and San Diego-Tijuana in the Americas will anchor the critical supply chains of the future. We’re here to deepen international ties and maximize our economic impact.”

Over the four-day trade mission across Singapore, San Diego will look to build lasting institutional relationships and attract foreign investment in industries critical to the future.

Agenda items include:

  • The celebration of a recent partnership between UC San Diego and National University Singapore, as well the exploration of new opportunities around soft-landing space with Singapore commercial real estate developer CapitaLand
  • Opportunities to showcase San Diego-Tijuana and major regional development projects for foreign investors, including innovation developments by San Diego State University and Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.
  • Local, small- to mid-sized businesses Biolinq and Visaic will pitch to global investment firm Temasek
  • Meetings with Port, Airport, Border, and infrastructure partners to better connect our regions through nonstop air and liner service, as well as sharing energy transition and urban development innovations
  • Government convenings with Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore Gan Kim Yong and other dignitaries
  • Formal meetings and tours of major employers in both regions, including Illumina, ResMed, as well as the Mandai Wildlife Group—a peer of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

Delegates will participate in upwards of 15 meetings over the course of the trade mission, sharing best practices and driving business connectivity across many verticals. The two dozen San Diego delegates include representatives from Cubic, Mitsubishi Electric, Qualcomm, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, and smaller businesses including Visaic and Biolinq. Also in attendance are delegates from key agencies, academic institutions, and civic organizations such as Port of San Diego, San Diego International Airport, UC San Diego, San Diego State University, MiraCosta College, Tijuana EDC, San Diego Tourism Authority, Connect, and others.

“As San Diego’s Economic Development Chair, I have two key goals: creating high-paying jobs and lowering costs for families in our city,” said San Diego City Councilmember Raul Campillo. “International trade and partnerships with businesses in Singapore and elsewhere bring advanced technology, high-skill workers, and robust tourism and investment to our local region. This strengthens our economy and delivers benefits like more affordable products that our citizens will see in their day-to-day lives.”

The trade mission is organized by World Trade Center San Diego, the international team at EDC, with assistance and support provided by the U.S. Embassy in Singapore, and sponsorship by Qualcomm, Ambix Ventures, San Diego Tourism Authority, and the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.

Learn more about Singapore and San Diego’s connection here, and follow along during the trade mission: #SDinSG. 

WTCSD has previously led trade missions to South Korea, The Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan, Vancouver, and more.

For media queries or other questions, contact:

Bree Burris
Bree Burris

Sr. Director, Communications & Community Engagement

San Diego’s Good News of the Week – September 20, 2024

By Enya Castañeda,

Every week, ‘Good News of the Week’ features a curation of positive headlines from San Diego, delivered straight to your inbox. A blend of aggregated stories from San Diego’s most trusted news sources and original EDC-created content, GNOTW provides a comprehensive recap of the region’s best stories from the past week. GNOTW is sponsored by Manpower San Diego.

Get Good News of the Week in your inbox every Friday. → Sign up

For the week of September 20, 2024, here’s what we’re reading:

…and here are some events and opportunities:

From our partners:

Apply: Advancing San Diego Verified Program Designation

Education programs: Apply to be recognized among EDC’s Verified Programs by September 27. Vetted by industry and informed by Talent Demand Reports, the region’s Verified Programs benefit from an employer-recognized curriculum, networking opportunities, internships, and visibility through EDC’s marketing channels.

Apply Today!

 

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Enya Castañeda
Enya Castañeda

Coordinator, Investor Relations & Marketing Communications

San Diego’s Good News of the Week – September 13, 2024

By Enya Castañeda,

Every week, ‘Good News of the Week’ features a curation of positive headlines from San Diego, delivered straight to your inbox. A blend of aggregated stories from San Diego’s most trusted news sources and original EDC-created content, GNOTW provides a comprehensive recap of the region’s best stories from the past week. GNOTW is sponsored by Manpower San Diego.

Get Good News of the Week in your inbox every Friday. → Sign up

For the week of September 13, 2024, here’s what we’re reading:

…and here are some events and opportunities:

From our partners:

Investor Spotlight: ArkusNexus

Supported by more than 150 organizations like ArkusNexus, EDC helps companies of all sizes achieve economic prosperity in line with regional Inclusive Growth goals. This monthy, we spoke with Younes Aatif, CEO of ArkusNexus—a cross-border software development company—about San Diego’s unique value proposition as a binational mega-region.

Read More

 

Business information and resources page

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Enya Castañeda
Enya Castañeda

Coordinator, Investor Relations & Marketing Communications

San Diego’s Good News of the Week – September 6, 2024

By Enya Castañeda,

Every week, ‘Good News of the Week’ features a curation of positive headlines from San Diego, delivered straight to your inbox. A blend of aggregated stories from San Diego’s most trusted news sources and original EDC-created content, GNOTW provides a comprehensive recap of the region’s best stories from the past week. GNOTW is sponsored by Manpower San Diego.

Get Good News of the Week in your inbox every Friday. → Sign up

For the week of September 6, 2024, here’s what we’re reading:

…and here are some events and opportunities:

From our partners:

San Diego’s demand for talent in business

This summer, EDC’s Advancing San Diego program, in partnership with the Border Region Talent Pipeline K-16 Collaborative, launched the 2024 Business Talent Demand Report. We gathered insights from six leading San Diego employers and surveyed 120 businesses to identify key skill gaps and in-demand entry-level roles. The report highlights high-demand positions, alongside turnover and training challenges, which emphasize the need for more intentional talent pipeline development.

Learn More

 

Business information and resources page

Be in the know – sign up below to receive future editions of GNOTW.

Want to submit your event or news update to our weekly newsletter? Contact us for more information.

sign up for gnotw

Enya Castañeda
Enya Castañeda

Coordinator, Investor Relations & Marketing Communications

San Diego’s Good News of the Week – August 30, 2024

By Enya Castañeda,

Every week, ‘Good News of the Week’ features a curation of positive headlines from San Diego, delivered straight to your inbox. A blend of aggregated stories from San Diego’s most trusted news sources and original EDC-created content, GNOTW provides a comprehensive recap of the region’s best stories from the past week. GNOTW is sponsored by Manpower San Diego.

Get Good News of the Week in your inbox every Friday. → Sign up

For the week of August 30, 2024, here’s what we’re reading:

…and here are some events and opportunities:

From our partners:

San Diego surpasses Inclusive Growth goal for quality jobs, and why the work isn’t over yet

On August 14, EDC held its second Inclusive Growth Roundtable, focusing on progress toward the 2030 small business jobs goal. While small businesses in San Diego have increased the proportion of quality jobs, challenges remain, particularly with lower-paying jobs disproportionately affecting marginalized groups. Continued regional collaboration is needed to support inclusive economic growth.

Learn More

 

Business information and resources page

Be in the know – sign up below to receive future editions of GNOTW.

Want to submit your event or news update to our weekly newsletter? Contact us for more information.

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Enya Castañeda
Enya Castañeda

Coordinator, Investor Relations & Marketing Communications

San Diego’s demand for talent in business

By Bridgette Coleman,

This summer in partnership with the Border Region Talent Pipeline K-16 Collaborative, EDC’s Advancing San Diego program convened six leading San Diego employers that collectively employ more than 24,000 San Diegans to participate in an Employer Working Group (EWG) and provide a real-time picture of the region’s talent demand for entry-level business roles. Additionally, 120 businesses were surveyed to gain a regional snapshot of talent demand, find gaps in business related training, and identify in-demand entry-level positions for individuals training to enter the workforce. Leveraging strategies from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Talent Pipeline Management® framework, Advancing San Diego is excited to share the 2024 Business Talent Demand Report to serve as a snapshot of local demand for entry-level business professionals.

Business Talent Demand Report

This report serves as a tool for education partners to understand what skills and competencies students need for entry-level business positions in San Diego County. Based on employer feedback, the report focuses on in-demand external facing roles (Customer Service Representative and Advertising, Sales, and Marketing) and internal facing roles (Purchasing and Buying and Project Managers), and highlights the demand for Accounting, Auditing, and Bookkeeping positions which were identified as high priority by EWG participants.

Key findings

  • Twenty percent of businesses reported a high turnover in four out of eight listed in-demand occupations.
  • Lack of sufficient training or education was cited as the primary reason for hiring difficulties for entry-level business positions.
  • For non-entry level positions, lack of sufficient industry or work experience and inadequate training or education were the primary hiring challenges.
  • Employers predicted the highest job growth for purchasing and buying roles over the next 24 months, noting that 30 percent of these positions take more than six months to fill.
  • The most challenging positions to fill included supply chain and logistics positions, finance, and project manager roles, all of which reported high turnover rates.
  • Hispanic and Latino, as well as Black and African American individuals are underrepresented in entry-level business positions, indicating a need for investment in equitable access to strengthen the regional workforce.

Occupation demand

San Diego’s economy is powered by its diverse industries, from defense and technology to life sciences and manufacturing, supported by more than 71,000 business jobs. However, many employers struggle to find candidates with the necessary skills for entry-level roles, particularly as technical skills become increasingly crucial. With nearly 5,400 businesses competing for talent, the shortage of qualified candidates makes it challenging to fill positions.

Sixty-three percent of surveyed businesses noted that available talent does not have the relevant training or education, highlighting the need for better access to post-secondary education, work-based learning, and internships to strengthen talent pipelines and prepare students for success.

What’s next?

  • Save the date: Join EDC on November 13 at UC San Diego Park & Market for Advancing San Diego’s Verified Program event. More details to come.
  • Apply to be a Verified Program! Learn more about the process and benefits here. Verified Program applications close September 27.
  • Read other industries’ Talent Demand Reports here.

To learn more and get involved in EDC’s work, contact:

Bridgette Coleman
Bridgette Coleman

Manager, Talent Initiatives

Introducing USD’s Global Executive Seminar

By Bree Burris,

EDC sat down with Paula Cordeiro, PhD, Dammeyer Distinguished Professor of Global Leadership at University of San Diego’s Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies, to learn about an exciting new program: the Global Executive Seminar Exploring ‘Business for Good.’

The new, first of its kind program begins January 2025 and aims to serve established professionals in instituting innovative social practices to drive change.

As EDC continues to promote inclusive growth across San Diego, we know it is only with and through employer-led initiatives that we can maintain the region’s competitiveness and ensure more San Diegans can thrive here.

Here’s what Dr. Cordeiro shared:

What is the Global Executive Seminar and why introduce it now?

Business for good isn’t just a trend; it’s a critical response to our planet’s finite resources. We’ve created the Global Executive Seminar (GES) to give motivated professionals, particularly those in the mid to late stages of their careers, the knowledge, and tools to align innovative social practices with forward-thinking commercial strategies. Participants will explore models in ‘Business for Good’ through a 15-day program that begins in January blending in-person visits to businesses across Spain, Rwanda, and San Diego with online meetings and personalized consulting sessions.

Who should participate?

As folks consider transitions in careers, this USD program gives executives the tools to develop new models and practices as the foundation for new ideas or improving their existing businesses. Board members and advisors in both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors interested in best practices that are rooted in positive economic and social impacts are also welcome.

How will participants benefit?

Participants will have on-location learning at high-performing, sustainable organizations in Spain, Rwanda, and the San Diego region. In each location, we’ll showcase business leaders who have successfully balanced economic success with social and environmental impact. The seminar experience offers a global network of like-minded professionals with whom participants can collaborate, share knowledge, and form partnerships. Participants will develop action plans built on principles and strategies that can generate both financial returns and positive social and environmental outcomes.

Give us a glimpse into what you’ll focus on in San Diego.

In addition to setting the course foundation, we’ll meet with leaders from local companies including 100 percent employee-owned business Taylor Guitars, recognized globally for its commitment to social and environmental responsibility, and Dr. Bronner’s, a global leader in the certified B Corporation movement.

What can participants expect to learn in Spain and Rwanda?

Participants will meet with leading businesses in Barcelona who exemplify business for good as well as with Mondragon, the world’s largest business co-op in Bilbao. In Rwanda, participants will see the beauty and incredible rebirth of this Land of a Thousand Hills and learn about unique partnerships between businesses and government, empowering the region to become the fastest growing economy in Africa.

What is the time commitment and schedule?

  • January 2025: 3 days in San Diego
  • April 2025: 5 days in Spain
  • July 2025: 5 days in Rwanda
  • October 2025: 2 days wrap up in San Diego

What are the fees and deadlines?

Registration details are available here. Final registration deadline and fees are due December 31, and a $2,000 early bird discount is available through October 4.

For questions, contact Paula Cordeiro: cordeiro@sandiego.edu

Learn more about GES