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IN THE NEWS
NORTH COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL
x
FALL 2015
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sdnedc.org
n SPECIAL DAY TO HIGHLIGHT
MANUFACTURING BUSINESSES
I
f you've ever wondered
how companies produce
products such as contact
lenses, soap, and cosmetics, to
name a few, then you won't
want to miss National Manu-
facturing Day on Oct. 2.
The day, which is in its
fourth year and has partici-
pants across the U.S., as well as
a few in Canada and Mexico,
allows businesses to open their
doors to the public to showcase
what they do and garner inter-
est from those looking to enter
the manufacturing field.
Locally, there are
a variety of manu-
facturing busi-
nesses, from
cosmetics to phar-
maceuticals and
hardware products
to golf equipment
makers. However,
there is still room for substan-
tially more growth.
Wei-Yung Lee, CEO of Carls-
bad Technology, Inc., said his
company, which manufactures
generic prescription drugs, is
still the only manufacturer of
its sort in the region.
"[When the company started
in the '90s], there was nothing
in this area specifically for oral
solid generic drugs," Lee said.
"It just didn't exist. Today,
about 20 years later, we are still
the only oral solid generic man-
ufacturer in the area."
Lee pointed to the lack of
employees with a mid-level
skillset as one of the reasons
manufacturing in this area can
be difficult.
"One of the key things I've
observed, and I've spoken with
other C-suite executives in
other companies, is this is an
area that attracts people who
just got out of college or people
who are ready to retire," he
said. "That middle, mid-level
skillset just doesn't exist."
Those looking to learn more
about manufacturing and the
jobs it may offer can look into
National Manufacturing Day
as a way to discover the
opportunities out there.
Several area businesses
will host events Oct. 2, in-
cluding D&K Engineering,
Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap, Fed-
eral Health, General Atomics,
and Innovative Body Science.
– lindseY Ball
HOW IT'S
MADE
"
Today, about 20 years later, we are still the only
oral solid generic manufacturer in the area.
"
– WEI-YUNG LEE,
CEO of Carlsbad Technology, Inc.,
whose company manufactures generic prescription drugs (pictured).
HOMETOWN
MANUFACTURERS
n A LOOK AT 4 COMPANIES
AND WHAT THEY MAKE
L
ocal manufacturing companies en-
compass a wide diversity of indus-
tries. Here's a look at four:
>> Carlsbad Technology, Inc.
(Carlsbad): A mainstay that has been
manufacturing since 1990, the com-
pany markets and distributes generic
pharmaceuticals, and recently started
manufacturing health supplements
and contact lenses.
>> D&K engineering (rancho
Bernardo): Offers manufacturing
of hardware-based products and
equipment, and has worked in
industrial, military, medical, and
printing fields.
>> Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap
(Vista): Perhaps one of the more well-
known local companies, Dr. Bronner's
manufactures natural soaps and other
personal care products. The company
is now being run by the fourth and
fifth generations of Bronners.
>> Innovative Body Science (San
Marcos): Manufactures cosmetics with
the idea that resorts can have a cohe-
sive product line between their spas,
room amenities, and retail facilities.
›› CLICK to read how North
County manufacturing thrives.
PRODUCTION LINE
GOLF COMPANIES
ON HOME TURF
With top club
manufacturers
leading the way,
North San Diego
County is one of the
game's hotbeds.
CLICK TO READ
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