Industrial employment in Missouri increased over the past year, according to the 2015 Missouri Manufacturers Register, a manufacturers' database and directory published by Manufacturers' News Inc. (MNI). MNI reports that Missouri manufacturers added 1,592 jobs from August 2013 to August 2014, its third straight year of gains, though less than the 1.3-percent national average gain as reported by the Labor Department for the same time period. The state is now home to 7,876 manufacturers employing 366,322 workers.
"Manufacturers in Missouri are making gains across a variety of sectors," says Tom Dubin, MNI president. "The state's stronghold in both the auto sector and food products industry, combined with its reasonable business costs and large labor pool, continue to draw investment and support industrial growth."
Gains were led by the transportation equipment industry, which posted a 2.8-percent rise in employment over the year. It is expected to keep rising as General Motors expands its plant in Wentzville and Ford ramps up production at its Kansas City factory. In addition, GM supplier Janesville Acoustics announced an expansion of its facility in Warrensburg. The transportation equipment industry in Missouri currently employs 44,385 people, ranking it second in the state for industrial jobs.
The food products sector accounts for the most manufacturing jobs in Missouri, employing 51,943 workers, though jobs in that sector were unchanged over the year. Industrial machinery and equipment posted a 1-percent loss and currently ranks third with 41,883 jobs. Other sectors adding jobs included chemicals, textiles/apparel, instruments/related products and fabricated metals.
Employment losses were recorded in electronics, following Energizer's closure of its Maryville factory, and printing/publishing, after RR Donnelly closed its printing plant in Jefferson City. Losses were also reported in primary metals, paper products and furniture/fixtures.
St. Louis remains the state's top city for industrial employment with 80,757 workers. Kansas City was second with 45,363 jobs, while Springfield ranked third with 16,687 industrial workers.
For more information, visit www.manufacturersnews.com.