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SFMade Week Highlights Creativity, Innovation and Job Creation
[April 29, 2016]

SFMade Week Highlights Creativity, Innovation and Job Creation


With the number of San Francisco manufacturers at an all-time high since SFMade's founding-SFMade Week returns May 9-15. Now in its fifth year, the weeklong celebration champions locally made products, their makers and their people. SFMade Week features 40+ events, including factory tours, demos, shopping events and Ramp it Up! on May 11, the manufacturer party of the year. All proceeds benefit SFMade. Full schedule here: http://www.sfmade.org/services/events/sfmade-week-16/.

"It's still an exciting time for manufacturing in San Francisco, with new companies forming, new jobs created and so much innovation. It's also a time of real challenges for companies, especially the costs of real estate and employees," said Janet Lees, Senior Director at SFMade. "SFMade Week is a chance like no other to show your support for locally-made. Tour a high-tech factory, take a peek into a geared-up machine shop, meet the people behind the products, try something new, and suport SFMade."



SFMade has sparked a renaissance in local manufacturing - one of the few sectors paving a path to middle-class jobs and capable of creating a more equitable economy. SFMade counts 650 companies in its membership that collectively employ over 4,400 people.

One result of SFMade's exponential growth is increased demand for the nonprofit's many programs, which are designed to help local manufacturers start, stay and grow in San Francisco.


"SFMade does so much, directly helping hundreds of manufacturers and workers in this community," said Rosemarie Ovian, co-owner of Cut Loose, a longtime clothing manufacturer with its own production facility in San Francisco's Bayview. "SFMade Week is the perfect time to get in on the fun and fundraising for an organization that is making real progress to help keep San Francisco a city for everyone."

For revelers who like to party for a cause, SFMade Week's centerpiece event is Ramp it Up! on May 11. Iconic San Francisco company Anchor Brewing opens up its Potrero Hill factory to host the manufacturing party of the year featuring over twenty SFMade companies, maker booths, special edition products and delicious food and drinks.

SFMade's Impact

Beyond just a brand, SFMade is a nonprofit organization that helps local manufacturers and their teams to make it in San Francisco. Its suite of services includes everything from intensive business advising to workforce recruitment to help finding space.

Highlights of SFMade's impact include:

  • San Francisco manufacturers created 12% net new jobs in 2014.
  • San Francisco manufacturers generated $600M to the local economy in that same year.
  • Seventy percent of manufacturing jobs are held by workers from low-income households.
  • Sixty percent of manufacturing jobs are held by minority workers.
  • Fifty percent of manufacturing companies are owned by women.

ABOUT SFMADE

SFMade, is a non-profit organization founded in 2010. To learn more, visit sfmade.org.


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