Scandic – a San Leandro Business Featured in The SF Biz Times

The August 4, 2017 issue of the San Francisco Business Times devotes a special report section to manufacturing, and at the heart (and on the front page) is Hale Foote, president of Scandic, whose metal stamping and spring manufacturing business – the largest in Northern California –  has called San Leandro home for 45 years. The special report focuses on inherent changes in manufacturing, many of which hinge upon partnerships with other major manufacturers. Scandic has expanded its production to include metal stamping and recently partnered with Tesla Motors, which has played a significant role in the company’s continued success, despite an overall drop in Bay Area manufacturing jobs during the recent economic downturn. Scandic was also recently featured in an insightful article by the Fabricator.com, focusing on Scandic’s need to solve demand challenges by inventing and manufacturing improvements to the very tools used on the Scandic floor.

Manufacturing is enjoying wage growth as work becomes more specialized, and initiatives to introduce high school students to career options in manufacturing are emerging nationwide. The demand for workers is on the rise as older employee generations of manufacturing approach retirement age. For the past two years, San Leandro has participated in East Bay Manufacturing Day, providing hundreds of students with the opportunity to observe first-hand and learn about various types of manufacturing jobs. It is no secret that San Leandro is a manufacturing town with over 20% of the city’s land area designated for industrial use and roughly 5,500 San Leandro workers employed by manufacturers.  Throughout its history, San Leandro has been home to makers of all kinds, be it tractors and agricultural equipment, sausage, canned produce, coffee, automobiles, or craft beer.

San Leandro’s industrial area is a crucial contributor to the economic ecosystem, and with a wide spectrum of manufacturers, local partnerships create a strong sense of belonging, keeping vacancy rates low and real estate competitive.  In short: makers like it here.