This is the time of year where the crystal ball gets a real workout. Everyone is trying to get a handle on what to expect for the year ahead, including us. We have reached out to our go-to experts in the sectors and industries that matter to us: Manufacturing, Cleantech, Life Sciences and Hardware for a glimpse into the future. Their responses indicate a strong year ahead.

 

1. Manufacturing Space is Hot and Getting Hotter.

 

Greg Matter from Jones Lang LaSalle predicts continued growth in this industry and a corresponding need for manufacturing space. “As regionalization, IP protection, and customization continue to be key factors in developing a responsive supply chain strategy, manufacturing is here to stay. In 2015, the Bay Area will continue to see robust growth in manufacturing investment. We’ll see the big names in tech expanding locally, and their contractors and suppliers will flourish too. This expansion will result in greater demand for skilled labor and modern industrial real estate.”

2. Cleantech Turns the Corner.

Christine Herzog from the Smart Grid Dictionary confirms that the Cleantech Industry is finding its footing and is poised for record growth. “Cleantech will soon be thoroughly embedded in the U.S. economy. People are connecting the dots and recognizing that cleantech improves energy, as well as economic and environmental security. California’s ongoing drought shows how one facet of environmental security — available potable water — has profound economic and energy impacts. Nationwide, federal and state initiatives are propelling investment dollars into clean technologies and projects that improve energy production from renewable and other non-carbon sources and reduce energy and water consumption.”You can read more about the Cleantech Comeback here. And, we will be rolling out a series of posts early this year that delve more into these sub-topics.

 

 

3. Life Sciences Becomes a Stealth Leader in the East Bay:

You probably didn’t know that Fremont is a Bay Area leader in health care equipment and medical device manufacturing companies, but thanks to extensive research by Gregory Theyel of the East Bay Biomedical Manufacturing Network, we now have a detailed understanding of the breadth and depth of the biomedical industry in the Bay Area. Theyel says there are a number reasons contributing to Fremont’s strength as a leading location. “There is a reciprocating effect to competitors being close to each other enabling the movement of employees and ideas between companies. And the support function of companies from related industries, such as electronics, provides needed components and services, not to mention high-quality laboratory and production space.” We are planning a blog series to focus more on the biomedical industry.

4. Maker Movement on the Rise:

Thanks to social networking and crowd funding, anyone can start a business. Add the ease of sharing technology and the significant decline in the cost of tools such as 3D printers, and we are starting to see a new generation of “makers.” Karen Burns, co-founder of the East Bay Manufacturing Group and partner at Sensiba San Filippo, says the convergence of techies and DIYers is only in its infancy. “It has the power to change the behavior of Americans away from being strict consumers and into makers. And, where better to “make stuff” than right here in the Bay Area where technology and innovation were born? Even better is when you have room to spread your wings in places such as the new Innovation District in Warm Springs in Fremont.”

So what does this mean for Fremont? Find out later this week when we ask our fearless leader, Mayor Bill Harrison to talk about how the City can facilitate industry growth in 2015 and beyond.