Greater San Antonio's manufacturing sector is having a moment.
Over the last year alone, major investments from Toyota, IEM, JCB and Blackwave have expanded the region's industrial footprint, created thousands of jobs and reinforced Greater San Antonio's position as one of the country's strongest advanced manufacturing hubs.
That momentum makes this year's Manufacturing Month especially timely.
Each October, Manufacturing Month provides an opportunity to recognize the companies, workers, educators and community partners helping power one of Greater San Antonio's most important economic sectors.
Recent Investments Show the Momentum
Several recent announcements demonstrate the confidence manufacturers have that they can succeed in Greater San Antonio.
Toyota's $3.6 billion expansion is among the largest investments in the region's history. The project is expected to create approximately 2,000 jobs and add 2.5 million square feet to Toyota's existing San Antonio manufacturing campus, doubling its manufacturing footprint by 2030.
Industrial Electric Manufacturing (IEM) announced plans to invest $200 million, create approximately 3,000 jobs over five years and establish nearly 1 million square feet of manufacturing space at Brooks. The project represents the largest job-producing investment secured in Greater San Antonio in more than two decades.
JCB is also expanding its manufacturing presence in San Antonio with a new $500 million, approximately 1 million-square-foot facility that is expected to support approximately 1,500 jobs as production ramps up. The company is expected to begin operations later this year.
And at Port San Antonio, Munich-based aerospace manufacturer Blackwave is establishing its first U.S. manufacturing operation. The company specializes in advanced composite pressure vessels for aerospace and space applications and expects its San Antonio operation to grow to approximately 250 jobs as it scales.
Blackwave's investment is also indicative of a broader shift occurring across the region. Manufacturing growth is increasingly tied to advanced technologies, specialized engineering expertise, aerospace innovation and higher-skilled occupations.
Together, recent investments from Toyota, IEM, JCB and Blackwave illustrate how Greater San Antonio's manufacturing economy is becoming more diverse, more innovative and increasingly focused on advanced manufacturing opportunities.
Manufacturing Is Helping Drive Regional Growth
The latest investments are part of a broader pattern of manufacturing growth across Greater San Antonio.
Since 2021, greater:SATX has helped secure 57 advanced manufacturing projects representing approximately $6.8 billion in capital investment and more than 12,000 jobs. With the addition of IEM's recent announcement, that total grows to more than 15,000 manufacturing jobs secured.
Manufacturing growth is occurring alongside broader gains across the regional economy. Recent investments, continued business expansion activity, and a growing pipeline of opportunities reflect the confidence companies have in Greater San Antonio's long-term prospects. Manufacturing remains an important contributor to that momentum, supporting jobs, investment, and economic growth across the region.
Manufacturing is an important part of that growth, not only through direct employment and investment, but through the broader network of suppliers, service providers and businesses that support the industry.
More Than the Factory Floor
Modern manufacturing extends well beyond production facilities.
Today's manufacturers rely on engineers, technicians, skilled trades professionals, logistics specialists, cybersecurity experts, operations leaders and other talent. Their operations also support suppliers, educational institutions, workforce organizations and small businesses throughout the region.
As manufacturing continues to grow, so do opportunities for people to build careers in the wide range of occupations that support modern manufacturing activity.
Lightcast data shows continued growth in the advanced manufacturing and logistics occupations supporting the region's manufacturing economy. Between 2022 and 2025, employment across 10 advanced manufacturing and logistics occupation groups in the San Antonio-New Braunfels MSA grew from 216,894 to 227,644 jobs, a 5% increase. Growth was particularly strong among operations managers, engineers, business operations specialists, production occupations, and plant and systems operators, reflecting increasing demand for the talent that supports modern manufacturing activity.
That makes workforce development, education partnerships and career awareness an important part of the region's manufacturing story and an important focus for Manufacturing Month.
A Month of Stories About Manufacturing in Greater San Antonio
Throughout October, greater:SATX will take a closer look at the people, companies and partnerships helping shape the future of manufacturing across the region.
This year's content will explore four connected parts of the story: manufacturing's impact on the regional economy, education-to-career pathways, the supplier ecosystem supporting major manufacturers, and the workforce, infrastructure and industry strengths that help companies choose Greater San Antonio.
Those stories will highlight not only the scale of manufacturing in the region, but also the opportunities it creates for students, workers, businesses and communities.
From major corporate investments to the people preparing for the next generation of manufacturing careers, Manufacturing Month will showcase an industry that continues to evolve and continues to play an important role in Greater San Antonio's economic future.
Manufacturing Month is supported by Toyota Texas.