Industrial employment in Louisiana remained stable over the past 12 months, according to the 2008 Louisiana Manufacturers Register, a compilation of state industry published annually by Manufacturers' News Inc. MNI reports Louisiana gained 699 industrial jobs from April 2007 to April 2008. MNI's 2008 Louisiana report describes a smaller increase than posted by the state last year, but still runs ahead of the significant employment losses suffered by much of the U.S. over the year.
A previous survey by MNI reported Louisiana industrial employment increased by 3.2 percent between April 2006 and April 2007.
"Growing worldwide demand for products made in Louisiana, particularly agricultural products, chemicals and petroleum products, made 2007 a very strong year for exports," says MNI president Tom Dubin. "While most other states have lost manufacturing jobs to technology, automation and outsourcing, Louisiana's stronghold in the oil sector, as well as its generally favorable business environment, have helped the state retain industrial facilities."
Manufacturers' News reports Louisiana is home to 5,447 manufacturers employing 200,690 workers, ranking 30th in the nation for number of manufacturing jobs and plants. MNI profiles manufacturers of all sizes including small start-up companies with just a few employees.
The manufacturers guide reports employment in the oil industry, the state's largest sector, increased the most over the year and currently accounts for 29,108 jobs, or 15 percent, of the state industry, up 4,018 jobs, or 16 percent. Manufacturers of chemicals and allied products account for 25,425 jobs, down 1,631 (6 percent) over the past 12 months. Makers of industrial machinery and equipment employ 23,470 workers, up 879 (3.9 percent) in the past year, while food manufacturers represent 19,179 of the state's industrial jobs, down 1,218 or 6 percent.
Other sectors gaining jobs include printing/publishing, up 224 (2.3 percent), and rubber and miscellaneous plastic products, up 1,106 (3 percent), due in part to increases at Harahan-based Intralox LLC, a maker of modular plastic conveyor belts. Fabricated metal products posted an increase of 647 (3.8 percent), benefited partially by an expansion at Sunland Fabricators in Walker. Losses were seen in textiles/apparel, down 119 (3.4 percent) and lumber and wood was down 190 (1.7 percent). Transportation equipment was down 3.4 percent after cutbacks by GM's truck plant in Shreveport.
According to MNI, Southeast Louisiana accounts for the most industrial jobs in the state with 102,834 reported in the new edition, with no significant employment change reported over the year. Southwest Louisiana is home to 52,142 jobs, up 1,790 jobs (3.6 percent) in 2007. The Northwest part of the state is home to 32,417 workers, down 2.5 percent over the year, while the Northeast represents 13,388 of the state's jobs, with no change reported in the past year.
MNI's city data shows Baton Rouge accounts for the most industrial jobs in the state at 14,983, down 1.3 percent over the past 12 months. New Orleans accounts for 12,605 of the state's industrial jobs, with employment stable over the year, compared to the 6.7 percent drop MNI reported for the 2006-2007 period. Shreveport is home to 11,412 jobs, down 6.5 percent over the year, while Lafayette represents 10,105 of the state's jobs, up a half percent in 2007.