A few weeks after the Second Annual Manufacturing Day in October, Mark Schmit posted “MFG Is Who We Are” on NISTMEP’s blog.

Schmit writes about the close relationship between manufacturing and a community’s civic identity. He points out that a community’s identity encompasses more than its geography, residents, amenities and government. It also includes the industries that employ residents and make products. Schmit goes on to say, “…we tend to introduce ourselves in regard to what gets made in our hometowns. We connect with people by describing what we make…Why do you think Silicon Valley is called Silicon Valley?”

When I meet people who have not heard of Fremont, I generally respond, “It’s where Teslas are made.” I do this because even if they are unfamiliar with Fremont, they would have likely heard of Tesla and Elon Musk. I started thinking about other companies that contribute to Fremont’s civic identity. For example, what do the companies that participated in Fremont’s Manufacturing Day – Alter-G, Western Digital, Biolytic Lab Performance, and CalWed – say about Fremont? And how do they contribute to Fremont’s identity?

Alter-G manufactures an anti-gravity treadmill that shortens the down-time after a sports injury. Western Digital manufactures media ubiquitously found in computing technologies and mobile devices. Biolytic Lab Performance creates a life sciences equipment used for synthetizing DNA and RNA. CalWed is a contract manufacturer that creates high-precision, specialized welds for high-tech capital equipment used in the production of semi-conductor components.

I believe that companies based in Fremont truly reflect the innovative, risk-taking, entrepreneurial “can-do” spirit of Fremont residents. Companies like Tesla and Alter-G are introducing new products to the market place. Companies like Biolytic and CalWed are part of the supply chain in the life sciences and semi-conductor industry. In answering my own question, I think Fremont companies are making things that protect the environment, heal our bodies and make us happier people.