With a history that goes all the way back to settlers from the Canary Islands in the early 1700s, the San Antonio is one of Texas’ oldest and important centers of trade and business. For more than three centuries, the city has earned a reputation for excellent manufacturing.
“San Antonio has a very large and diverse manufacturing community. You can find every major sector of U.S. manufacturing in our local economy,” San Antonio Manufacturer’s Association President Dan Yoxall told GMI POST.
According to SAMA’s figures, San Antonio hosts more than 1,500 manufacturers, which employ more than 50,000 people and contributes at least $40 billion to the state’s economy every year.
“From transportation, aerospace, motor vehicle, to electrical equipment, machinery, and even food and beverage manufacturing, there's a perception that doing business in Texas is more favorable than elsewhere in the U.S.,” said Yoxall, who cites the state’s no income tax, low corporate tax, high availability of land, and strategic location as its advantages.
San Antonio’s easy accessibility to three of the top ten metropolitan areas is also a major draw for manufacturers in Texas.
According to Yoxall, SAMA supports the growth of the local manufacturing community by taking part in public policy discussions, organizing trade shows and networking events, sharing best practices, and providing continuous training and high-quality education for manufacturers and their employees.
When asked what success looks like as president of SAMA, Yoxall said: “Success means more jobs, more economic opportunities for manufacturers, and more great products made here in San Antonio.”
He also said he wanted to raise the profile of San Antonio’s manufacturing sector and increase understanding of the role of technology and data analytics in advanced manufacturing.
