From copper production and steelmaking to food products and beverages, Arizona鈥檚 manufacturing industry was in the spotlight as the Arizona Manufacturers Council (AMC) gathered last week for its annual Manufacturer of the Year Awards.

The event brought together manufacturing executives, business leaders, and elected officials to recognize companies and individuals helping drive one of Arizona’s most important industries.

The honorees represented a broad cross-section of the state鈥檚 manufacturing economy, including longtime Arizona employers, companies making significant new investments, and industry advocates who have helped strengthen the state’s business environment.

Here are some of the highlights from the celebration.

Florence Copper celebrates a major milestone

For Florence Copper, the recognition came during a milestone year.

The company began producing copper in February, becoming the country鈥檚 first major new source of copper in nearly two decades.

And production is ramping up quickly.

According to company representatives, Florence Copper produced nearly 14 million pounds of copper between the start of operations and the end of September.

The company also highlighted its use of an innovative in-situ copper recovery process, which allows it to extract copper without the traditional open-pit mining approach.

In accepting the award, Florence Copper representatives thanked the company鈥檚 employees and a long list of community partners, including the town of Florence, local elected officials, the Greater Florence 91果冻传媒 of Commerce, the Florence Unified School District, and state and county leaders.

Nucor continues to bet on Arizona

Steelmaker Nucor used its moment in the spotlight to highlight the role its products play in major construction and infrastructure projects.

From bridges to other large-scale applications, the company emphasized the importance of American-made steel.

Nucor said it鈥檚 on track to produce 300,000 tons of steel from its Arizona steelmaking operations, another sign of the company鈥檚 commitment to manufacturing in the state.

Company representatives thanked the AMC and Arizona 91果冻传媒 of Commerce & Industry for recognizing manufacturers and advocating for policies that support the industry.

Shamrock Foods: More than a century of Arizona roots

Few companies can claim Arizona roots as deep as Shamrock Foods.

The family-owned company has called Arizona home for more than 100 years, growing into a major food manufacturer and distributor serving customers across the country.

Company representatives reflected on that history while accepting their award, emphasizing Shamrock鈥檚 commitment to Arizona communities and the employees who help produce and deliver its products nationwide.

For a company whose history stretches back more than a century, the recognition was another chapter in a longstanding Arizona success story.

Swire Coca-Cola: A global brand with a local footprint

Coca-Cola may be one of the world鈥檚 most recognizable brands, but representatives of Swire Coca-Cola reminded attendees that its operations have a distinctly local connection.

The company highlighted its Arizona manufacturing presence and the employees who help bring familiar beverages to consumers.

The company was recognized for its commitment to sustainability, including recycling, water stewardship, and community engagement.

Valley Forge and Bolt recognizes the people behind the products

Valley Forge and Bolt representatives used their time at the microphone to thank the AMC for the recognition and acknowledge the employees whose work has helped build the company.

The company, which has approximately 100 employees, was represented at the ceremony by several members of its team.

Its representative reflected on more than three decades of experience in the industry and expressed appreciation for the recognition.

The remarks were a reminder that behind Arizona鈥檚 manufacturing growth are the workers and teams who make it possible.

In addition to being recognized as Small Manufacturer of the Year, Valley Forge also won the Hottest Thing Made in Arizona competition for its Wireless SPC4 Load Indicating System, a technologically advanced industrial fastener that allows users to remotely monitor whether studs or bolts have lost their clamp load.

Rep. Michael Carbone recognizes the importance of infrastructure

The awards weren’t limited to companies.

State Rep. Michael Carbone was also recognized for his work on behalf of Arizona manufacturing and the broader business community.

Carbone reflected on his arrival at the Legislature four years ago and his early involvement in legislation addressing infrastructure needs.

He emphasized the importance of roads, water, and other infrastructure to Arizona鈥檚 continued economic development, describing those investments as fundamental responsibilities of government.

Carbone also acknowledged the work of his legislative colleagues and thanked the AMC and Arizona 91果冻传媒 for their advocacy.

Steve Macias reflects on manufacturing鈥檚 growth

For Steve Macias of Pivot Manufacturing, winner of the Arizona Success Story award, the recognition was an opportunity to reflect on both his career and the evolution of Arizona鈥檚 manufacturing industry.

Macias recalled becoming involved with the Arizona Manufacturers Council roughly 25 years ago, when the organization and the state鈥檚 manufacturing sector looked considerably different.

He described the growth of the AMC and the expansion of Arizona鈥檚 manufacturing base, which now includes an increasingly diverse mix of companies and industries.

Even after decades in manufacturing, Macias made clear that he sees plenty of opportunity ahead, both for Pivot Manufacturing and for Arizona鈥檚 industrial economy.

Celebrating the people who make things

The awards ceremony offered a snapshot of the breadth of Arizona manufacturing.

There were companies with more than a century of history, businesses expanding their operations, manufacturers introducing new production methods and advocates helping ensure the industry has a voice at the state Capitol.

Their products may be different, but the honorees shared a common theme: a commitment to making things in Arizona, creating jobs, and contributing to the state鈥檚 economic future.

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From transportation and water infrastructure to advanced manufacturing facilities, Sundt Construction has helped build Arizona鈥檚 economy since 1929. Headquartered in Tempe, the 100% employee-owned company is investing in new facilities, workforce training and technologies to support the state鈥檚 next chapter of growth. In this 91果冻传媒 Spotlight, Sundt鈥檚 Alex Charland discusses the company鈥檚 new Apache Junction manufacturing facility, its commitment to careers in the skilled trades and how employee ownership shapes its approach to building Arizona鈥檚 future.

Tell us about Sundt Construction and its footprint in Arizona. 

Alex Charland, president, advanced facilities: Sundt is headquartered in Tempe and has been active in Arizona since 1929. We have built the infrastructure and facilities that help communities and economies grow, from transportation and water treatment systems to mining, advanced manufacturing, data centers and other complex industrial work, just to name a few.聽

We are also鈥�100% employee-owned鈥痓y more than鈥�5,500 employee-owners. That matters because the people planning the work, managing projects and building in the field have a direct stake in Sundt鈥檚 long-term success. Our craft professionals, engineers, and support teams are building their own futures alongside the projects they deliver. 

Safety is foundational to that commitment. Sundt is the only company to have earned the Grand Safety Award鈥痶hree times by the Associated General Contractors of America. We see workforce development, employee ownership and safety as connected: We want our people to have the training, opportunity and ownership stake to build a long career and to return home safely every day. 

Sundt recently broke ground on a 65,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Apache Junction. What should Arizonans and the business community know about this project? What role does off-site manufacturing play in supporting Arizona鈥檚 construction growth? 

Our new Apache Junction facility is a meaningful investment in Arizona鈥檚 industrial future and in the people who will build it. The鈥�65,000-square-foot鈥痜acility will include manufacturing and fabrication space, engineering and design offices, and a regional employee training center. It is expected to create approximately鈥�100 new jobs鈥痠n its first phase, with room to expand as demand grows. 

The facility will allow us to manufacture modular components (especially mechanical, electrical, and process, or MEP, systems) for a wide variety of industrial, manufacturing, and infrastructure projects. Off-site manufacturing and fabrication give teams a more controlled environment to produce components with consistency and precision before they arrive at the jobsite. 

That has several benefits. It can reduce traffic and material movement in and out of jobsites, improve schedule reliability, and create safer, more predictable working conditions for our employee-owners. It also creates quality career opportunities closer to home for people in the Apache Junction community. 

Arizona鈥檚 economy is growing because companies are investing in advanced manufacturing and industrial production here. Our job is to help provide the facilities and infrastructure that make that growth possible. This facility strengthens our ability to do that while creating jobs, developing skills, and keeping more of that economic activity in Arizona. 

What does being 100% employee-owned mean for Sundt and its employees? 

Employee ownership means that, after meeting a one-year tenure and minimum-hours-worked threshold, every eligible employee can participate in Sundt鈥檚 ESOP. It is not reserved for executives, office roles, or a select group of employees. Craft professionals, skilled-trades workers and administrative team members all can become owners. 

That creates a different kind of workplace. Our people are invested in doing work safely, solving problems early, protecting quality and building strong relationships because they are not just working for the company. 

Employee ownership can also reshape retirement outcomes. We have seen people who spent their careers in the skilled trades or in administrative support roles build real retirement security that you don’t see in other structures. That is one reason we believe construction can offer an exceptional career: It is an opportunity to learn a valuable trade, earn a strong living, support a family, and share in the long-term success of the company. 

As an employee-owned business, we can make decisions with a longer view. We are focused on the health of our people, the success of our clients and the communities where we work, not short-term returns for outside investors. 

Sundt has emphasized semiconductor manufacturing expertise and created a dedicated Advanced Facilities Group. What differentiates your team in advanced manufacturing? 

Advanced manufacturing facilities demand a different level of planning, coordination, and execution. These are highly technical environments where precision, process reliability, schedule and safety all matter at once. 

Our teams, including our Advanced Facilities Group, bring together people with deep experience delivering complex industrial systems. We also have robust self-perform MEP capabilities, which gives us more direct control over critical work and helps our teams coordinate complex systems from preconstruction through installation and startup. 

Beyond the manufacturing facilities themselves, one area where our teams have developed significant capability is industrial water and wastewater treatment with a focus on water reuse and recycling. Those systems are essential to the next generation of sustainable semiconductor and advanced manufacturing facilities, and they require a high degree of technical understanding and disciplined project delivery. 

What differentiates Sundt is not simply that we build large facilities. It is that we understand the integrated systems inside them and can bring the right people, processes, and self-perform capability to execute demanding work with fewer handoffs and less uncertainty. Our teams know how to work collaboratively with clients and trade partners to identify issues early, manage risk, and keep projects moving. 

Which innovation tools are having the biggest impact at Sundt, and why is Arizona a strong place for companies to embrace innovation? 

We have embraced AI because construction has many real-world challenges it can help solve when it is supported by clean, reliable data and guided by experienced people. Technology is most useful when it helps our teams make better decisions, improve safety, increase productivity, or see potential problems sooner. 

We are also investing in automation in practical ways. Sundt is partnering with Bedrock Robotics on automated excavators. We have deployed a robotic survey device to regularly walk a major jobsite, and we have piloted semi-autonomous heavy-equipment systems on solar fields. These tools can help improve consistency, capture better jobsite information and allow skilled people to focus their time where their judgment matters most. 

Arizona is a strong place to embrace innovation because it has shown a willingness to welcome and test new technologies. Phoenix was among the cities willing to pilot Waymo alongside San Francisco, and Bedrock Robotics shares roots with that same ecosystem. That openness matters. 

There is a positive feedback loop at work in Arizona. The state鈥檚 willingness to support advanced technology companies has helped attract major investment. In turn, those projects have helped cultivate builders, trade partners, and skilled workers capable of delivering some of the country鈥檚 most demanding industrial systems. That makes Arizona even more attractive to the next generation of advanced manufacturing and technology companies. There is a reason Semicon is moving permanently to Arizona. 

Why is Arizona a great place to do business, and how does Arizona fit into Sundt鈥檚 growth strategy? 

Arizona is home, and it will remain central to our growth strategy. We build across the country, with a focus on fast-growing markets that value collaborative project delivery, but headquarters are here. 

We are active in Arizona across our full range of work, from heavy civil infrastructure to industrial, institutional and commercial projects. We built our training facility and Center for Craft Excellence in Phoenix, we鈥檙e underway on our dedicated off-site manufacturing facility in Apache Junction, and we are preparing to expand our headquarters into a full campus in Tempe. 

Those investments reflect confidence in Arizona鈥檚 future. The state has a growing economy, an increasingly diverse industrial base and a business community that understands the importance of infrastructure, workforce development, and long-term partnership. Sundt intends to keep investing alongside our fellow Arizonans. 

Recent news has highlighted Sundt鈥檚 Apache Junction manufacturing investment, safety recognition, outreach to Pima JTED and ACE Mentor, and acquisition of IPS. What do these milestones say about where Sundt is headed in Arizona? 

Together, these milestones show a future-focused, long-term strategy. We are investing in the capacity, people and partnerships Arizona needs to continue growing. 

Our Apache Junction facility will expand our off-site manufacturing and fabrication capabilities. Our safety recognition reflects a commitment to the wellbeing of the people doing the work. Partnerships with organizations such as Pima JTED and ACE Mentor help introduce young people to construction careers and create pathways into the skilled trades. And our acquisition of IPS strengthens the self-perform electrical and instrumentation capabilities we can bring to increasingly complex work. 

We are also the largest provider of U.S. Department of Labor-registered construction apprenticeships in Arizona, with鈥痵even鈥痯rograms offered in English and Spanish through our training campus near downtown Phoenix and community-college partners. Participation has quadrupled over the past two years, and we anticipate that growth to continue. 

That’s the future we are working toward: an Arizona where people can build rewarding careers, businesses can grow with confidence, and the infrastructure and facilities being built today support a thriving state for generations to come. 

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EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin visited Arizona Tuesday to announce proposed approval of Maricopa County Rule 204, an emissions-reduction program intended to help businesses invest and expand while improving air quality.

The announcement followed a roundtable with business leaders and elected officials. Rule 204 would allow qualifying voluntary emissions reductions from nonroad engines and equipment to generate credits that new or expanding major facilities could use to satisfy federal Clean Air Act offset requirements.

Speaking at the announcement, Zeldin praised the county and business community for finding practical ways to support growth while working toward compliance with federal ozone standards.

鈥淭hey aren’t increasing emissions and they aren’t breaking federal requirements,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey are finding new innovative ways to work within their circumstances.鈥�

The Arizona 91果冻传媒 of Commerce & Industry welcomed the proposal as an important step toward addressing a longstanding shortage of emissions credits that can constrain economic development.

鈥淭his is an important win for cleaner air, economic growth and the kind of practical problem-solving Arizona does best,鈥� 91果冻传媒 President and CEO Danny Seiden said.

Rule 204 would create a financial incentive for owners of equipment such as construction machinery and railroad locomotives to upgrade to cleaner technology. Qualifying reductions could then generate credits for facilities seeking to build or expand.

鈥淔or more than a decade, Arizona鈥檚 business community has worked to expand the tools available to reduce emissions while giving companies a workable path to invest, expand and create jobs,鈥� Seiden said. 鈥淩ule 204 does exactly that: when businesses voluntarily replace older equipment with cleaner technology and achieve real, measurable emissions reductions, those reductions can help make continued economic growth possible.鈥�

Parts of Maricopa County are designated as being in moderate nonattainment of federal ozone standards. Major facilities seeking to build or expand in the affected area must obtain permits and offset increases in emissions.

Under the proposed program, equipment owners that permanently reduce nitrogen oxide or volatile organic compound emissions could trade qualifying reductions as credits to those facilities. EPA said the approach could support industries including high-tech manufacturing and power generation, and that it does not expect the rule to increase emissions in the area.

Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chair Kate Brophy McGee greeted the announcement with enthusiasm.

鈥淚 have been in public service for over 25 years and my dream has come true,鈥� she said, drawing laughter from the audience.

Brophy McGee praised regulators for listening and using incentives, saying Rule 204 could help preserve the county鈥檚 quality of life while supporting its economic expansion.

鈥淭his plan demonstrates how a healthy environment and growing economy can work together,鈥� she said. 鈥淏y incentivizing rather than punishing job creators, implementing Maricopa County鈥檚 Rule 204 will improve the quality of the air we breathe while enabling key industries to continue investing in our community.鈥�

Supervisor Thomas Galvin called the announcement 鈥渁 victory for our environment, the economy, and common-sense regulation reform.鈥�

Arizona Commerce Authority President and CEO Sandra Watson said the proposal would strengthen Arizona鈥檚 competitiveness and support responsible growth. She credited Gov. Katie Hobbs, Maricopa County and other partners, and recognized Seiden and the 91果冻传媒 for their leadership in advancing the measure.

Seiden also thanked county officials, the governor and federal and state lawmakers from both parties for helping bring the proposal to this point.

鈥淧rotecting air quality and maintaining a strong economy do not have to be competing goals, and once again Arizona is showing the rest of the country how smart policy can advance both,鈥� he said.

EPA鈥檚 announcement represents proposed approval. The agency said it will hold a 30-day public comment period before taking final action.

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A federal appeals court has left in place a ruling allowing the land exchange tied to the Resolution Copper project to move forward, rejecting a request to reconsider the case. 

The Sept. 29 decision means the Ninth Circuit will not rehear the case after a three-judge panel earlier this year declined to block the exchange.聽

The case is part of the long-running legal fight over the proposed Resolution Copper mine in eastern Arizona. 

The project would develop one of the largest untapped copper deposits in the country. the mine could eventually supply up to 25% of U.S. copper demand and support about 3,700 direct and indirect jobs at full production. The company estimates the project could generate up to $61 billion in economic value for Arizona over its operating life.  

Resolution Copper has been in development for more than two decades, with the project moving through federal environmental review, permitting and litigation over the land exchange. The proposed underground mine near Superior is a joint venture between Rio Tinto and BHP. 

Congress authorized the land exchange needed for the project, which involves federal land in the Tonto National Forest. Opponents have challenged the exchange on environmental and religious-freedom grounds, including concerns over Oak Flat, a site sacred to the Western Apache. 

After a three-judge panel declined to block the exchange, opponents asked the Ninth Circuit to reconsider the case. The request failed to win enough support from the court鈥檚 active judges. 

Several judges disagreed with that decision. In dissents accompanying the order, they argued that the court should reconsider how federal religious-freedom law applies to the land exchange and its effects on religious practices at Oak Flat.  

Supporters of the project, meanwhile, have argued that its lengthy review and litigation history underscores the need for legal certainty and a clear path forward. 

The Arizona 91果冻传媒 of Commerce & Industry participated in the underlying appeal as an amicus curiae, or friend of the court. 

鈥淭his is a significant decision for Resolution Copper and for the broader principle that major projects cannot remain tied up in litigation indefinitely,鈥� said Mike Bailey, general counsel for the Arizona 91果冻传媒 of Commerce & Industry. 鈥淭his project has been through years of federal review, permitting and court challenges. The Ninth Circuit has now declined another request to revisit the case, and that kind of legal certainty matters when companies are making multibillion-dollar investment decisions that support thousands of jobs and strengthen domestic supply chains.鈥� 

The Sept. 29 order does not necessarily end the litigation, but it closes the door on rehearing the case before the Ninth Circuit. The earlier ruling allowing the land exchange to proceed remains in effect.  

Photo courtesy of Resolution Copper.

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The Arizona Manufacturers Council has announced the recipients of the 2026 Manufacturer of the Year Awards, recognizing companies and leaders making an impact across Arizona鈥檚 manufacturing sector.

The annual awards recognize excellence across seven categories, from manufacturing growth and innovation to sustainability and industry leadership. This year鈥檚 honorees will be recognized Oct. 13 at the Manufacturer of the Year Awards Luncheon presented by APS.

鈥淎rizona manufacturers continue to grow, invest and innovate in ways that strengthen the state鈥檚 economy and expand what gets made here,鈥� said Grace Appelbe, executive director of the Arizona Manufacturers Council. 鈥淭his year鈥檚 honorees reflect the depth of that work, from longstanding Arizona companies to major industrial operations and emerging technologies.鈥�

2026 Award Recipients

Small Manufacturer of the Year 鈥� Valley Forge & Bolt: The Phoenix-based manufacturer makes industrial bolts and fasteners used in demanding environments such as mining, steel and oil and gas. The company is also known for patented technology that allows operators to monitor bolt tension in real time, helping improve safety, reliability, and maintenance.

Medium Manufacturer of the Year 鈥� Nucor Steel Kingman: Nucor鈥檚 Kingman mill produces reinforcing bar and wire rod used in roads, buildings, bridges and other infrastructure. In 2025, the facility brought a new $100 million melt shop online, allowing Nucor to recycle scrap metal into new steel products directly in Kingman and expand production for customers across the West.

Large Manufacturer of the Year 鈥� Shamrock Foods Company: Founded in Tucson in 1922, Shamrock has grown from a small dairy operation into one of the nation鈥檚 largest family-owned food companies. The Arizona-based company鈥檚 operations include Shamrock Farms, foodservice distribution, dairy manufacturing and a portfolio of food and beverage businesses serving customers across the West and nationwide.

Arizona Success Story 鈥� Pivot Manufacturing: Phoenix-based Pivot Manufacturing is a locally grown manufacturer specializing in precision machining, assembly and production work for complex industries, including aerospace and defense. Over more than two decades, the company has expanded its capabilities while building a team of engineers, machinists and quality specialists.

Excellence in Innovation 鈥� Florence Copper: Florence Copper began commercial copper production in 2026, using a process that recovers copper from underground without the large open pit, blasting and hauling associated with conventional mining. The operation is currently ramping up and is expected to produce up to 85 million pounds of copper annually at full capacity.

Excellence in Sustainability 鈥� Swire Coca-Cola: The Coca-Cola bottler has made water conservation and replenishment a major part of its sustainability work, reducing the amount of water used in manufacturing while supporting projects designed to return water to communities and nature. Swire Coca-Cola also operates throughout Arizona as part of its 13-state western U.S. footprint.

Champion of the Year 鈥� Rep. Michael Carbone: Carbone is recognized for his work on policies supporting Arizona manufacturing, including sponsoring HB 4026, legislation backed by the Arizona 91果冻传媒 and Arizona Manufacturers Council to strengthen the state鈥檚 public infrastructure program for major manufacturing projects. The program helps communities fund roads, water and other infrastructure needed to support large-scale manufacturing investment.

The 2026 honorees will be recognized at the Arizona Manufacturers Council鈥檚 Manufacturer of the Year Awards Luncheon on Oct. 13.

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Public voting is now open for the top three finalists in the 2026 Hottest Thing Made in Arizona competition.

The Arizona 91果冻传媒 of Commerce & Industry and Arizona Manufacturers Council on Monday announced the top three finalists in the fourth annual statewide competition, presented by Grand Canyon University.

This year鈥檚 contenders span medical technology, industrial manufacturing and craft brewing:

SynCardia Total Artificial Heart

Manufactured in Tucson, the is the world鈥檚 first FDA-approved total artificial heart. The device is used as a bridge to transplant for eligible patients facing life-threatening biventricular heart failure, replacing the heart鈥檚 pumping chambers and keeping blood circulating while a patient awaits a donor heart.

Wireless SPC4庐 Load Indicating System

Made by Valley Forge & Bolt in Phoenix, the allows users to measure and monitor fastener tension locally or remotely, helping identify bolts or studs that have lost clamp load.

The technology is used in demanding industrial applications including mining, oil and gas, steel and other heavy industries.

Hatch Chile Gatos Golden Ale

Brewed by Fate Brewing Company in Scottsdale, is made with roasted Hatch chiles, giving the beer a pronounced chile aroma with mild flavor and very little heat. The beer has become one of Fate鈥檚 longstanding signature brews.

鈥淭his year鈥檚 top three reflect the diversity of Arizona manufacturing, from lifesaving medical devices and precision industrial technology to Arizona-brewed craft beer,鈥� said Grace Appelbe, executive director of the Arizona Manufacturers Council. 鈥淭hat diversity is exactly what this competition is meant to highlight, along with the companies and skilled teams behind the products made here.鈥�

The Hottest Thing Made in Arizona competition launched in 2023 as a way to highlight the range and strength of Arizona鈥檚 manufacturing sector. Past winners include Boeing鈥檚 AH-64 Apache helicopter, the Dexcom G7 continuous glucose monitor, and Honeywell Aerospace鈥檚 131-9 auxiliary power unit.

Public voting is open through Oct. 13, with one vote allowed per day per device.

The winner will be announced Oct. 13 at the Arizona Manufacturers Council鈥檚 Manufacturer of the Year Awards Luncheon.

Cast your vote at

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Manufacturers are growing more optimistic about sales and production over the coming year, but rising input costs, transportation expenses and continued global uncertainty are keeping pressure on the sector, according to a .

NAM鈥檚 Q3 2026 Manufacturers鈥� Outlook Survey found that manufacturers expect raw material and other input costs to increase 5% over the next 12 months. Increased raw material costs ranked as manufacturers鈥� top business challenge for the second consecutive quarter, followed by rising health care costs and trade uncertainty.

The results illustrate a manufacturing economy in which stronger expectations for demand are colliding with persistent cost pressures.

鈥淎rizona manufacturers are ready to grow, invest and compete, but the cost of doing business remains a significant challenge,鈥� Arizona Manufacturers Council Executive Director Grace Appelbe said. 鈥淲hether it鈥檚 raw materials, energy, transportation or health care, rising costs ultimately affect manufacturers鈥� ability to invest in their operations and their workforce. And the uncertainty surrounding tariffs isn鈥檛 helping. Tariffs are import taxes, and manufacturers pay them when they source key inputs from abroad, putting additional pressure on costs that can ultimately be passed along to consumers. The encouraging news is that manufacturers remain optimistic about what lies ahead, and policymakers can help sustain that momentum by advancing policies that provide greater certainty and keep Arizona and the United States competitive.鈥�

That optimism is reflected in manufacturers鈥� expectations for the coming year. Survey respondents projected sales, production, capital investment and exports to grow at their fastest rates in more than four years.

Manufacturers expect sales to increase 4.3% over the next 12 months and production to rise 3.8%, the highest projected growth rates for both measures since the second quarter of 2022.

鈥淪trong demand is fueling a notable increase in anticipated sales and production growth, both projected to rise 4.3% and 3.8%, respectively, the highest growth rates for both indexes since Q2 2022,鈥� NAM Chief Economist Victoria Bloom said. 鈥淏ecause of a strengthening sales forecast, manufacturers remain optimistic, though growth in the industry would likely be stronger if cost pressures eased.鈥�

Global disruptions continue to complicate that outlook.

Among manufacturers surveyed about the conflict in the Middle East, 60.6% said conditions related to the conflict had not improved from the previous quarter, while 33.2% said challenges had worsened.

Transportation expenses are adding to those pressures. More than three-quarters of manufacturers, 77.3%, identified freight rates as a challenge, while 74.1% cited fuel costs. Trucks are especially important to the sector, with 98.6% of respondents reporting that they rely on trucking to move goods.

Manufacturers also appear prepared to make significant investments in their operations.

Nearly two-thirds of respondents, 63%, said they plan to import industrial machinery, parts or components during the next year to support existing or planned manufacturing operations. Among those companies, 69.2% expect to use the equipment to upgrade or replace existing machinery, while 63.6% said the machinery would support new or expanded operations.

NAM said the findings demonstrate the importance of policies that allow manufacturers to secure the equipment needed to expand and modernize their facilities. The organization is advocating for a U.S. Manufacturing Investment Accelerator Program designed to improve manufacturers鈥� access to industrial machinery.

鈥淢anufacturers are seeing encouraging signs for growth, but they are also facing some strong headwinds such as rising costs and global uncertainty that continue to place pressure on global supply chains,鈥� NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons said.

Timmons called for action on several priorities important to manufacturers, including surface transportation reauthorization, permitting reform, health care costs and greater trade certainty.

The quarterly results come as Arizona continues to expand its advanced manufacturing footprint, with semiconductor, aerospace and defense, electronics and other manufacturers playing an increasingly prominent role in the state鈥檚 economy.

NAM conducted its Q3 Manufacturers鈥� Outlook Survey from Aug. 11 through Aug. 27.

Photo: Pete unseth, , via Wikimedia Commons

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The Arizona 91果冻传媒 of Commerce & Industry has joined a coalition asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review a federal air-quality rule that business groups say could make it more difficult to permit new manufacturing, energy and infrastructure projects. 

The petition, filed Friday, challenges a 2024 Environmental Protection Agency (鈥淓PA鈥�) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (鈥淣AAQS鈥�) revision that tightened the national standard for fine particulate matter, commonly known as PM2.5. The revision lowered the annual standard from 12 micrograms per cubic meter to 9, a 25% reduction.    

PM2.5 refers to microscopic particles in the air that are small enough to be inhaled deep into the lungs. Under the Clean Air Act, communities that do not meet federal air-quality standards can face additional regulatory requirements, while businesses seeking to build or expand major facilities can face more stringent permitting requirements. 

For businesses, the practical effect is in permitting. The new standard can tighten pre-construction permitting even in areas that met the previous standard, requiring companies to demonstrate that a new or expanded facility will not push air pollution above the federal limit. In areas deemed out of compliance, or 鈥渘onattainment,鈥� new projects can face even stricter emissions requirements. 

鈥淎rizona can protect clean air and continue to grow, but we have to be realistic about what these rules mean on the ground,鈥� Arizona 91果冻传媒 President and CEO Danny Seiden said. 鈥淲hen a federal standard makes it harder to permit a new manufacturing plant, energy project or piece of critical infrastructure, that has consequences for investment, jobs and our ability to compete. Businesses need tough rules to also be clear, lawful and workable.鈥� 

The case centers on the process EPA used to adopt the stricter standard. 

The Clean Air Act directs EPA to conduct a 鈥渢horough review鈥� of national ambient air-quality standards every five years. The business coalition argues that when the Biden administration’s EPA revised the NAAQS outside that normal cycle, EPA did not complete the same comprehensive scientific review required for a regular five-year revision. The petition says it was the first time EPA had revised a national air-quality standard without completing such a review. In doing so, the EPA also failed to consider the costs of undertaking a discretionary off-cycle review. 聽

鈥淭he issue here is whether EPA can make a major change to an air-quality standard without going through the full review Congress required,鈥� said Vanessa Pomeroy, deputy general counsel and chief counsel of the Arizona 91果冻传媒 Legal Center. 鈥淥ur position is that it can鈥檛. When a rule can affect permitting, investment and major projects across the country, the process matters.鈥� 

The case has taken an unusual turn since the rule was adopted. 

After initially defending the 2024 rule, the current EPA reversed its position and asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to vacate the rule, agreeing that the prior administration had not followed the required process and had failed to properly consider costs associated with initiating an off-cycle review. The D.C. Circuit rejected both the business groups鈥� challenge and EPA鈥檚 request and left the rule in place in June.聽

The Arizona 91果冻传媒, U.S. 91果冻传媒 of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers and other industry groups are now asking the Supreme Court to review that decision. Arizona legislative leaders are also among the petitioners. 

The permitting challenge is compounded by the fact that much of the particulate matter in the air comes from sources businesses cannot directly control. More than 84% comes from non-point sources such as wildfires, construction and road dust, while industrial sources and power plants account for about 16%. 

For Arizona, the case could help determine how easily federal air-quality standards can be tightened outside the normal review cycle and what that means for permitting, investment and major projects. 

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The Arizona 91果冻传媒 of Commerce & Industry and Arizona Manufacturers Council have opened nominations for two statewide competitions recognizing standout products, companies, and leaders across Arizona鈥檚 manufacturing sector.

The fourth annual competition, , invites manufacturers of all sizes to nominate products made in the state. Eligible entries can come from global companies, small businesses, artisan producers and independent makers.

Competition winners will be announced at an as part of the Arizona Manufacturers Council鈥檚 Manufacturing Month programming.

鈥淎rizona manufacturers are building everything from advanced aerospace and defense systems to semiconductors, lifesaving medical devices and everyday products that shape how we live and work,鈥� said Grace Appelbe, executive director of the Arizona Manufacturers Council. 鈥淭his competition is our chance to show people just how much is being made here, recognize the skilled teams behind those products and have a little fun deciding which one deserves the title of Hottest Thing Made in Arizona.鈥�

The competition returns as Arizona continues to attract major manufacturing investment and international attention.

recently announced an additional $100 billion investment in its Phoenix operations, bringing the company鈥檚 planned Arizona investment to $265 billion. The expanded plans include six semiconductor fabrication facilities, two advanced packaging facilities and a research and development center.

Amkor Technology鈥檚 planned $7 billion advanced semiconductor packaging and testing campus in Peoria was also named the for 2025 by Site Selection magazine. The project is expected to create as many as 3,000 jobs.

Past winners of the Hottest Thing Made in Arizona competition include:

• Boeing鈥檚 AH-64 Apache helicopter in 2023
• The Dexcom G7 continuous glucose monitor in 2024
• Honeywell Aerospace鈥檚 131-9 auxiliary power unit in 2025

Nominations are also open for the 2026 Arizona Manufacturer of the Year Awards, which recognize companies, industry leaders, and achievements in seven categories:

• Small Manufacturer of the Year
• Medium Manufacturer of the Year
• Large Manufacturer of the Year
• Excellence in Innovation
• Excellence in Sustainability
• Champion of the Year
• Arizona Success Story

鈥淭hese awards recognize the companies and people translating Arizona鈥檚 manufacturing momentum into real products, high-quality jobs and stronger communities,鈥� Appelbe said. 鈥淲hether they employ thousands of people or a few dozen, Arizona manufacturers are solving difficult problems, investing in their teams and proving that our state can compete with anyone.鈥�

The Hottest Thing Made in Arizona competition will include a series of public voting rounds, allowing employees, customers and communities to rally behind their favorite Arizona-made products.

Nominations can be submitted at .

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The Arizona 91果冻传媒 of Commerce & Industry has been named the recipient of the 2026 Conference of State Manufacturers Associations Leadership Award, a national honor recognizing work on behalf of the manufacturing sector.

The National Association of Manufacturers this week during COSMA鈥檚 annual meeting in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

COSMA members serve as the NAM鈥檚 official state partners, representing manufacturing priorities at the state level while helping elevate federal policy issues from across the country. A selection committee made up of previous award recipients evaluates nominees based on advocacy, organizational excellence, innovation, industry promotion and growth.

The Arizona 91果冻传媒 was selected in part for its work on a first-in-the-nation federal air-quality policy outcome affecting the Phoenix-Mesa region.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved Arizona鈥檚 Clean Air Act Section 179B demonstration, preventing the region from being reclassified to 鈥淪erious鈥� ozone nonattainment based on pollution originating largely outside the state鈥檚 control.

The 91果冻传媒 and Arizona Manufacturers Council had spent years advocating for the change alongside state, regional and federal partners. The decision spared manufacturers and other employers from additional permitting requirements, emissions-offset mandates and other regulatory costs that would not have addressed the primary sources of the region鈥檚 ozone levels.

鈥淭he Arizona 91果冻传媒 of Commerce & Industry has blazed a trail for all manufacturers by helping the EPA align federal policy with scientific reality and pragmatic solutions,鈥� said Michele Siekerka, president and CEO of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association and COSMA chair.

Siekerka said the Arizona effort provides other states with 鈥渁 replicable playbook for collaborative and effective advocacy.鈥�

NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons also cited Arizona 91果冻传媒 President and CEO Danny Seiden鈥檚 bipartisan approach and broader advocacy on behalf of manufacturers.

鈥淒anny Seiden exemplifies the best of manufacturing association leadership in the United States,鈥� Timmons said. 鈥淏y leading with integrity, focusing on bipartisan solutions and delivering an impact across our sector and the communities we serve, Danny has earned wide respect not only from the business community but lawmakers of both parties and at all levels.鈥�

Timmons said manufacturers and families across Arizona benefit from Seiden鈥檚 鈥渃are, drive and stewardship,鈥� adding that the NAM was proud to recognize his advocacy.

Seiden said the award reflects the work of the 91果冻传媒鈥檚 staff, members and partner organizations across a range of policy and economic-development priorities.

鈥淲e鈥檙e grateful to COSMA and the NAM for this recognition,鈥� Seiden said. 鈥淚t means even more coming from organizations that understand the work it takes to support a strong manufacturing sector.鈥�

He said the 91果冻传媒鈥檚 efforts have included work on federal air-quality policy, building public support for new investment and advancing the infrastructure needed to support Arizona鈥檚 continued economic growth.

鈥淭his award reflects the effort of our entire team, our members and the partners who have worked alongside us,鈥� Seiden said.

The Arizona 91果冻传媒 works with the Arizona Manufacturers Council to advocate for policies affecting manufacturers across the state, including regulatory, workforce, infrastructure and economic-development issues.

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