Southern California Flexes Its Manufacturing Muscle

Sam Lubell looks at the growth of Southern California as an architectural manufacturing center, reflecting larger trends in manufacturing that require higher-skilled labor to produce more sophisticated products.

1 minute read

February 29, 2012, 8:00 AM PST

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


It might surprise you to read that, "the U.S. is still the largest manufacturing economy in the world, making up 21 percent of all globally manufactured products," or that California is the top manufacturing state in the country with more than 10% of all manufacturing jobs in the country located there.

However, the state's long history of industrial design and manufacturing leadership, along with its, "higher-skilled labor, lower shipping costs, and quicker turnarounds," are beginning to lead an acceleration of investment in U.S. manufacturing, writes Lubell. And a lot of this manufacturing growth is centered around the customized products demanded by architecture and construction clients.

In this article, Lubell speaks with manufacturers who make Southern California home about the specialized products they make and equipment they employ, and the reasons why they haven't located their operations in China or India.

Monday, February 27, 2012 in The Architect's Newspaper

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Aerial view of Albuquerque, New Mexico at sunset.

New State Study Suggests Homelessness Far Undercounted in New Mexico

An analysis of hospital visit records provided a more accurate count than the annual point-in-time count used by most agencies.

May 16 - Source NM

Close-up on white bike helmet lying on pavement with blurred red bike on its side in background abd black car visible behind it.

Michigan Bills Would Stiffen Penalties for Deadly Crashes

Proposed state legislation would close a ‘legal gap’ that lets drivers who kill get away with few repercussions.

May 16 - Wood TV 8

Muni bus on red painted bus-only lane in downtown San Francisco, California.

Report: Bus Ridership Back to 86 Percent of Pre-Covid Levels

Transit ridership around the country was up by 85 percent in all modes in 2024.

May 16 - Mass Transit