Industrial employment in Nevada fell 6.2 percent over the past 12 months according to the 2010 Nevada Manufacturers Directory, an industrial directory published annually by Manufacturers' News Inc. MNI reports Nevada lost 3,970 industrial jobs and 115 manufacturers between October 2008 and October 2009, the sharpest decline MNI has ever reported in the seven years it has been tracking the state's industry.

 

Manufacturers' News reports Nevada is now home to 1,905 manufacturers employing 59,775 workers.

 

"As with the entire nation, the recession continues to affect Nevada's industrial sectors, with industries related to the housing sector taking the biggest hit," says Tom Dubin, president of the Evanston, Ill.-based publishing company, which has been surveying industry since 1912. "However, the state's strong exports and favorable business climate should help lay the groundwork for recovery."

 

Furniture manufacturing saw the largest drop in employment, down 23 percent, according to MNI, following the closure of a Georgia Gulf Corporation window and door manufacturer in McCarren, among others. Lumber and wood saw a 7.5 percent decline.

 

MNI reports Nevada's largest industrial sector remains fabricated metals products with 5,640 jobs, down 2.3 percent over the year. Printing and publishing accounts for 5,416 jobs, down 3.6 percent over the past 12 months, while third-ranked industrial machinery and equipment accounts for 4,104 jobs, down 4.9 percent over the past 12 months.

 

Most other industrial sectors in Nevada lost jobs within the past year and included rubber/plastics, down 14.1 percent due partially to the closure of a Myers Industries garden container manufacturing facility in Sparks. Primary metals declined 13.4 percent; stone/clay/glass fell 12.5 percent; textiles/apparel fell 9.6 percent and electronics dropped 2.8 percent.

 

Bright spots for the state include the opening of an Advanced Refining Concepts, LLC assembly plant in Sparks, and the expansion of cosmetics manufacturer Scienceuticals in Reno. In addition, exports of goods produced in Nevada have still risen significantly. According to government data, the increase in Nevada's exports over a four-year period was the 10th highest in the nation--rising 110 percent from 2004-2008.

 

MNI's city data shows Las Vegas is Nevada's top city for manufacturing employment, home to 16,698 jobs, down 4.3 percent over the year. Printing and publishing jobs account for 13 percent of the city's total, while the gaming industry accounts for another 10 percent. Second-ranked Reno accounts for 9,930 jobs, with employment down 6 percent. Industrial employment in North Las Vegas remained steady over the year and is currently home to 5,346 industrial workers. Sparks accounts for 4,908 industrial jobs, down 8.4 percent over the year while Henderson accounts for 4,553 jobs, down 3.7 percent.