SFMade

SFMade Week 2013 Press Recap

Ferron Salniker — Tue, 14 May 2013 20:21:42 +0000

San Francisco Chronicle: SFMade in Business and Style sections.

San Francisco Magazine: Daily profiles on SFMade Products

San Francisco Examiner: “SFMade Week celebrates local manufacturing boom”

7×7: “SFMade Week Shows Local Love”

Racked SF: “This is How We Do: SFMade Week Starts Today”

SFUnzipped (an SFGate.com Blog): “SFMade: Designers in the City”

SFMade in Business and Style Sections of SF Chronicle

Ferron Salniker — Mon, 06 May 2013 03:04:55 +0000

SFMade was featured in the Business and Style sections of the Sunday San Francisco Chronicle. Download the articles here and here.

“Making” matters to our cities: An Op-Ed by Kate Sofis

Ferron Salniker — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 19:10:25 +0000

Click here to read an op-ed in the San Francisco Chronicle from Executive Director Kate Sofis. Published on April 25th, 2013. Original link here.

SFMade Members: Host a Youth Intern at Your Business

Ferron Salniker — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 18:29:41 +0000

YOUTHMADE: An innovative new collaboration between SFMade and Juma Ventures. YouthMade matches manufacturing businesses in San Francisco with the next generation of makers. Interns are local low-income students who are college-bound and will be the first in their family to earn a four-year degree.

WHY

100% of youth (ages 18-21) have participated in work-readiness training from Juma Ventures, a non-profit leader in the field of youth development. Youth are well-versed in basic workplace professionalism, punctuality, time management, communication, and conflict resolution.

The youth are energized, eager to learn, and seeking opportunities. Interns can help with social media marketing, production, customer service, data entry, clean-up projects and more!HOW

Have you always wanted to do something like this but didn’t know how? It’s EASY and FREE— no payment, no paperwork, no insurance requirements! Interns will receive a grant-funded stipend.

SFMade will help you to develop a work plan and find youth that best match your needs.

YOUR COMMITMENT

-Identify work and observation/shadowing opportunties in your business operation

-Participate in an orientation/training on working with the youth at your site -Provide supervision throughout the internship

-Start on June 17 for 6-8 weeks, 10-15 hours per week
IMPACT

By hosting an intern, you will get no-cost help while providing a valuable work experience for the next generation of manufacturers in San Francisco.

RECRUITMENT BEGINS IN APRIL

A limited number of interns are available.

Contact Claire Michales today at claire@sfmade.org or 415-408-5605 x 7

March Newsletter: Meet Our New Staff Member and Community Builders

Ferron Salniker — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 17:50:00 +0000

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Upcoming Programs
Women in Manufacturing Tonight This popular panel returns with three new female leaders in the industry. SFMade Orientation April 9th Learn what we do and how we help manufacturers to succeed! Finding and Securing Production Space for Your Business April 24th Through a series of case studies, we will illustrate what kinds of spaces are available for light industrial production, where they are, and what you need to do to secure them. How to Manufacture Locally for Apparel and Sewn Products April 30th If you are planning to produce apparel or sewn products, this session is for you! SFMade Week May 6th-12th Join us for factory tours, Ramp It Up!, educational events and more.



UPDates and member events
Logo Usage Guide for SFMade Members Hey SFMade members, it's easy to rep the SFMade brand! Check out our handy guide, which includes an order form for free SFMade stickers, table tents, and other collateral. Invitation to Apply: SFMade Consumer Products Guide Due to popular demand, SFMade has launched the SFMade Consumer Products Guide, a new tool to help retailers, organizations, and corporations source and purchase SFMade consumer products. SFMade members are encouraged to learn more and apply here. Check out the new SFMade Blog! Sharing stories, news, and advice for urban manufacturers.
Open Jobs with SFMade Members
Store Manager Product Consultant and Design More here… SFMade Job Board SFMade members can post a job on SFMade's Job Board, and we'll help you screen for qualified candidates too! Email job descriptions to claire@sfmade.org .

Meet Our New Team Member

We're pleased to announce that a new staff member has joined SFMade! Claire Michaels, Manufacturing Workforce and Hiring Manager, will manage our Hiring Made Better program and an exciting new program called YouthMade that will place youth in SFMade businesses for summer internships. Need help hiring or interested in hosting an intern over the summer? Contact Claire at claire@sfmade. org.

Spotlight on our Community Builders
An ongoing feature on our SFMade Week member sponsors

Te-We Tea

Truth, beauty, and community. Chris Coccagna started T-We Tea with those three guiding principles and three handcrafted tea blends. Now he has more than 18 blends, that can all be found in his new retail store inside Crocker Galleria. Continue reading…

Anchor Brewing, Major Sponsor

America's first craft brewer started right here in the city by the bay. Anchor is a founding member of SFMade, and one of San Francisco's largest manufacturers. In February the brewery announced plans to construct a new facility at Pier 48, creating approximately 200 new jobs. Read more about the brewery and their exciting future plans here.
Photo courtesy of Anchor Brewing Co website.

Cut Loose
Cut Loose began in the 70's, street vending t-shirts on Fisherman's Warf that were hand dyed in a claw-foot tub. Today, the company has 50 employees and their own factory. Continue reading…
Photo courtesy of Cut Loose website

Awesome Bars

Sisters Leah and Stephanie have crafted the ultimate all natural, uber delicious energy bar. It’s wrapped in biodegradable paper, made in San Francisco, and sold in over 100 local cafes and natural food stores. You can’t get more wholesome than that. Continue reading…

Trayer Engineering
We often hear that SFMade products are everywhere, but here’s one place we hadn’t heard of: underneath our streets. Pop open a city manhole, and you’ll find an extremely vital but hidden piece of equipment— medium voltage switchgears that keep the city’s electrical grid in check, made by Trayer Engineering in the Dogpatch. Continue reading…

McRoskey Mattress Company

McRoskey Mattresses have been made in San Francisco since 1899. President, Robin Azevedo is the third generation. They build their mattresses by hand, one by one. Some may call it the old fashioned way— but with 113 years of history and 32 employees— it's certainly working. Read more about McRoskey here.

SFMade Founding Partners
City of San Francisco, Rickshaw Bagworks, Citi, FHL Bank San Francisco, Anchor Brewers and Distillers, Wells Fargo, Levi Strauss & Co, Ritual Coffee Roasters, Cayson Culinary Designs, Hanson Bridgett, New Resource Bank, Pacific Waterfront Partners, Bank of America, McRoskey Mattress Co, TechShop, BayPoint Benefits, DODOCase, North Point Advisors, and Insperity.

SFMade's mission is to build and support a vibrant manufacturing sector in San Francisco, that sustains companies producing locally-made products, encourages entrepreneurship and innovation, and creates employment opportunities for a diverse local workforce. SFMade is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation.
sfmade.org

Tickets Now on Sale for Ramp It Up!

Ferron Salniker — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 20:57:05 +0000

Sell Tickets Online through Eventbrite

February Newsletter

Ferron Salniker — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 19:38:41 +0000

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Upcoming Programs
SFMade Orientation Tuesday, March 12th Come learn what we do and how we help manufacturers to succeed. How to Manufacture Locally Tuesday, March 19th If you're planning to produce a local product, this session is for you. An Apparel Factory Tour Wednesday, March 20th A unique opportunity to see a sewing factory in action! How to Manufactuure Locally for Sewn Products Tuesday, March 26th If you're planning to produce sewn apparel or accessories, this session is for you. Women in Manufacturing Thursday, March 28th This popular panel returns with three new female leaders in the industry.



UPDates and member events
Logo Usage Guide for SFMade Members Hey SFMade members, it's easy to rep the SFMade brand! Check out our handy guide, which includes an order form for free SFMade stickers, table tents, and other collateral. Invitation to Apply: SFMade Consumer Products Guide Due to popular demand, SFMade has launched the SFMade Consumer Products Guide, a new tool to help retailers, organizations, and corporations source and purchase SFMade consumer products. SFMade members are encouraged to learn more and apply here.
Open Jobs with SFMade Members
G uitar Production Technician Customer Service Superstar C offee Bar Manager More here… SFMade Job Board SFMade members can post a job on SFMade's Job Board, and we'll help you screen for qualified candidates too! Email job descriptions to ferron@sfmade.org.
SFMade in the News
Made in San Francisco: SFMade represents city of makers, Smart Planet California nonprofit helps manufacturers stay local, Apparel News

Save The Date: "Ramp It Up! Making it Real" is on May 8th

It's our favorite time of year again! On Wednesday, May 8th, SFMade will host its fourth annual Ramp it Up! event- San Francisco’s largest and most dynamic celebration of the manufacturing sector and its contribution to the economic vitality and diversity of the City. We expect over 500 local manufacturers, business leaders and community steak holders to attend the event- hosted at the spectacular new Heath Ceramics factory in the Northeast Mission. Tickets available here.

Ramp It Up! is part of SFMade Week 2013, seven days of education, exploration, and innovation, designed to celebrate and heighten awareness and understanding of the local manufacturing sector and the companies and people who bring locally made products to fruition. Stay tuned for more info.

The Monthly Goods:
Liz Palacio's Cocktail Rings

Product We Love: We love Liz Palacio's collections of stunning, elegant, fun fashion jewlelry— made in San Francisco since 1987! Her turquiose and crystal cabochon cocktail rings are pictured here.
I want one! Visit their website or facebook page.

Company Spotlight: California Saw and Knife Works
Making Saws in SOMA Since 1886

About: The factory of California Saw and Knife Works on Brannan and 6th Streets has equipment that's survived the 1906 earthquake. We're not quite sure if they're the oldest manufacturer in San Francisco (Phoenix Day in the Bayview comes close), but they're most certainly veterans in the industry.

Four of the ten employees here are family members, carrying on a long tradition of designing and manufacturing circular saw plates for the lumber industry, as well as knives used in food processing machinery around the globe.

How SFMade has helped them: When faced with a new energy ordinance, the owners, Karen and Warren Bird, were worried about new costs. They came to the SFMade workshop, "Save Energy and Reduce Your Bill," in November with PG & E and SF Energy Watch, where they made the connections they needed to save thousands of dollars . "The money we saved was a direct result from that workshop," said Karen.

Learn more about California Saw & Knife Works here.

Mayor Lee Highlights Revival of Manufacturing Sector in State of the City

Ferron Salniker — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 00:09:40 +0000

In an excerpt from the webcast streaming on SFGovTV.org, Mayor Lee said, “Local manufacturing jobs increased 12 and a half percent in 2012, outpacing the job growth of most other sectors after literally decades of decline. We’re putting people back to work in literally 435 companies that are headquartered and manufacture their products in our city today. ”
Read more here.

January News: Meet Your Local Bike Maker, and More News

Ferron Salniker — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 00:59:14 +0000

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Upcoming Programs
How to Manufacture Locally: Apparel Tuesday, January 29th If you are interested in producing locally made apparel and sewn products, this session is for you. An Apparel Factory Tour Tuesday, February 12th A unique opportunity to see a sewing factory in action. SFMade Orientation Tuesday, February 12th Come learn what we do and how we help manufacturers to succeed. How to Manufacture Locally: Food and Beverage Tuesday, February 19th If you're planning to produce packaged food and beverage products, this session is for you. Factory Tour: Dandelion Chocolate Thursday, February 28th Take a tour of the Mission's newest chocolate factory, and sit down with the makers to learn about their path to success. A great study tour for aspiring producers.



UPDates and member events
Logo Usage Guide for SFMade Members Hey SFMade members, it's easy to rep the SFMade brand! Check out our handy guide, which includes an order form for free SFMade stickers, table tents, and other collateral. Invitation to Apply: SFMade Consumer Products Guide Due to popular demand, SFMade has launched the SFMade Consumer Products Guide, a new tool to help retailers, organizations, and corporations source and purchase SFMade consumer products. SFMade members are encouraged to learn more and apply here. Go mobile with ShopNear.me Now retailers who sell SFMade products can be listed in the coolest new mobile shopping app, ShopNear.me! SFMade retailers are highlighted with an SFMade decal. For more information email yuan@shopnear.me.
Open Jobs with SFMade Members
Jr. Finished Goods Tile Inspector B usiness Development Coordinator Shop Assistant More here… SFMade Job Board SFMade members can post a job on SFMade's Job Board, and we'll help you screen for qualified candidates too! Email job descriptions to ferron@sfmade.org.

Like Us More in 2013?

We want you to stay in the loop this year, but with so many channels of communication buzzing around you, we know it must be hard to keep track. Besides reading this newsletter, here are all the ways for you to stay informed about SFMade news and events in 2013:

Facebook- We like you, so like us! All of our events and major news can be found here.

Twitter- For up to date, fun facts about our member companies and the manufacturing sector.

Instagram- A behind the scenes look at SFMade member companies and other cool stuff we're doing (we promise to never post pictures of our lunch).

Our website- The central hub of information for all of SFMade's programs, events, and resources.

Coming soon: Specialized newsletters and blog posts for each sector, so stay tuned!

The Monthly Goods:
elizabethW Perfume Candle

Product We Love: To set a mood, keep a mood, or change a mood, these soy candles hand-poured on Russian Hill are the perfect locally made ambiance maker. Choose from twelve elizabethW perfume scents (in travel size as well).
I want one! Order online here.

Company Spotlight: Mission Bicycle Company
Building the Bike of Your Dreams

Years ago, there were hand-built track bikes zipping around the streets of San Francisco— they were interesting, they were colorful, they were lightweight and low-maintenance and fast — and they couldn’t be bought in a bike shop. These bikes required know-how, time and energy to find compatible parts, and the tools to put them together. Enter Zack Rosen and Matt Cheney, two techies who had the tools to configure a website that would allow anyone to build the bike of their dreams. They launched the site, hired a mechanic, and started building bikes. Since then the company has shipped a bike to every country in the world (well, except Australia), opened a retail store on Valencia Street, and hired ten employees.

Nearing their 5^th year in business, the challenges the company faces are not uncommon to San Francisco manufacturers— working under the constraints of a small production space and hiring the right people. Mission Bicycle Company recently joined the SFMade Manufacturer’s Accelerator program, to work with an advisor on leaning their production processes. “Even when I’m not directly taking advantage of what SFMade has to offer, I know they’re working behind the scenes to make San Francisco a more make-friendly city," said Jefferson McCarley, General Manager. "Not only is that good for small manufacturers, it’s good for the city, it’s good for the environment, it’s good for workers, and it’s good for the economy."

Learn more about Mission Bicycle Company here.

December News: A Big Year for Local Manufacturing

Ferron Salniker — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 00:57:00 +0000

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Upcoming Programs
From Maker Movement to Industrial Revolution Tuesday, January 15th Come hear the visionary Chris Anderson, author of New York Times best selling book, Makers: The New Industrial Revolution, speak about how the maker movement (digital tinkering) is scaling up to create a new class of manufacturing entrepreneurship. SFMade Orientation Tuesday, January 8th Learn what we do and how we help manufacturing companies to succeed! How to Manufacture Locally: Apparel Tuesday, January 29th If you are interested in producing locally made apparel and sewn products, this session is for you!



UPDates and member events
Logo Usage Guide for SFMade Members Hey SFMade members, now it's easy to rep the SFMade brand! Check out our handy new guide, which includes an order form for free SFMade stickers, table tents, and other collateral. Invitation to Apply: SFMade Consumer Products Guide Due to popular demand, SFMade has launched the SFMade Consumer Products Guide, a new tool to help retailers, organizations, and corporations source and purchase SFMade consumer products. SFMade members are encouraged to learn more and apply here. Go mobile with ShopNear.me Now retailers who sell SFMade products can be listed in the coolest new mobile shopping app, ShopNear.me! SFMade retailers are highlighted with an SFMade decal. For more information email yuan@shopnear.me. SFMade in the Atlantic SFMade and DODOcase were highlighted as case studies in "Mr. China comes to America"
Open Jobs with SFMade Members
Janitor Part-time Press Operator More here… SFMade Job Board SFMade members can post a job on SFMade's Job Board, and we'll help you screen for qualified candidates too! Email job descriptions to ferron@sfmade.org.

The Year in Review for San Francisco Manufacturers

Take a moment to think about your accomplishments this year and then let us add a few to them. Whether you're a local manufacturer, work for a local manufacturer, a conscious consumer, a volunteer, or a parter of SFMade, you had an impact this year on the growth of the local manufacturing sector. The numbers say it all:

Over 4oo San Francisco manufacturers are SFMade members

3,200 jobs are sustained by SFMade member companies

$325M total direct revenue was created by SFMade companies in 2012

12.5% is the net new job growth rate for the sector

For more impact indicators, as well as a summary of the industry's challenges and opportunities, read our State of Local Manufacturing report here.

The Monthly Goods:
Tasty Ties Cocktail Collection

(Photo Courtesy of TastyTies/Matt Hartz)
Product We Love: There's something about drinking a classic cocktail that evokes a feeling of timelessness. The Tasty Ties Winter Collection features ten ties inspired by classic cocktails, and to bring them to life they've partnered with several San Francisco artisinal cocktail bars, each offering an exclusive recipe to pair with each bow tie. Pictured here is the Old Fashioned.
I want one! Order online here.

Company Spotlight: Timbuk2
Telling the Whole Manufacturing Story

Born, bred and here to stay. The first Timbuk2 bag was sewn in a garage in 1989. Since then the iconic messenger bag company has expanded into a growing workforce of over 65 employees, a vibrant factory in the Mission district, and a retail store in Hayes Valley with customized bags flying off the racks every day .

Timbuk2 is one of a few SFMade companies that manufactures some product lines outside of city limits. This blend of domestic and international manufacturing enables them to meet market demands and compete globally at affordable prices. Recently, Timbuk2 launched a new Manufacturing Page to more accuratley tell the story of both their US and Asian manufacturing. It includes a map of all their manufacturing locations, a published code of conduct, and photos from all of their factories. "We wanted to tell a more complete story of our manufacturing, because we think our customers deserve to hear it," said Lizzy Fallows, Online Marketing Manager. "We have always had a code of conduct, but we thought it was important to publish it so that our customers know that we hold our partner factories in Asia to the same standards as our US factory." To read more, visit Timbuk2's website here.