PHOENIX - Arizonar -- The Arizona Technology Council today announced the formation of the Arizona Manufacturing Catalyst Committee, created to advance the state's leadership in advanced manufacturing, foster collaboration and drive economic growth.

"Manufacturing is a cornerstone of Arizona's technology economy, and this new committee will serve as a powerful driver of innovation, collaboration, and growth."said Steven G. Zylstra, president and CEO of the Council and SciTech Institute. "With the guidance of our members, we are ensuring Arizona remains a competitive hub for advanced manufacturing while strengthening the local supply chain and workforce."

The committee — the Council's 14^th — held its inaugural meeting August 12, 2025 at PADT Inc. in Tempe, bringing together 35 leaders from across Arizona's manufacturing ecosystem. Attendees included representatives from companies and organizations such as Chase Plastics, Fast DMS, Bosch, VB Cosmetics, Arizona Commerce Authority, Lucid, Axon, Hyperion, Micromex, Rayva Inc., Maskine, Foam Packaging Specialties, ONYX Design & Manufacturing Firm, Precision Flow Lab, BC Automation, Latham Industries, and Sonic Aerospace Inc.

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The committee is co-chaired by Eric Miller, principal and co-owner of PADT Inc., and Tracey Latham, founder and CEO of Latham Industries, with Leslie Marquez, the Council's director of marketing and communications, serving as staff liaison. Together, they will lead the committee in advancing its chartered goals of:

• Strengthening the local manufacturing community.
• Driving manufacturing projects and contracts to Arizona-based companies.
• Promoting innovation and global competitiveness.
• Facilitating knowledge sharing and industry engagement.
• Supporting workforce development and youth engagement.

Committee initiatives will include monthly meetings featuring guest speakers and industry discussions, quarterly factory tours for hands-on learning, and the development of a stand-alone manufacturing event in Phoenix in partnership with community organizations within two years. As a preview, the Council and the Committee are hosting the 2025 Arizona Manufacturing Pavilion on October 21 in conjunction with PADT's free Nerdtoberfest. Exhibitor opportunities are available.

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For more information about the Arizona Manufacturing Catalyst Committee, visit the committee page.