MNI's private survey reports Washington is home to 7,213 manufacturing companies employing 297,822 workers, compared to the 6,962 plants and 291,552 jobs reported a year earlier.
Manufacturers News reports Washington ranks 12th in the nation in manufacturing employment gains over 1 year and 11th in 2005 plant gains, with manufacturing accounting for 8.5 percent of the state's workforce.
"Manufacturing productivity is outpacing the gains in the rest of the economy, growing 4 percent a year as companies adapt their business models to compete in a global economy," said Tom Dubin, president of MNI.
Seattle, Spokane, Kent, and Vancouver gained 84 manufacturers last year, according to Manufacturers News. These cities account for 27 percent of Washington's manufacturing.
According to a four-year study conducted by Manufacturers' News, the Evergreen State lost 1,685 jobs in 2002 but then gained a total of 15,713 manufacturing jobs between 2003 and 2005. The directory also shows Washington added a total of 771 manufacturers in the past four years.
Washington's top three industries grew in 2005, according to the 2006 Washington Manufacturers Directory. Industrial machinery and equipment was up by 51 plants while lumber and wood grew by two plants. Metal fabricating added 40 plants. These three industries account for a third of Washington's manufacturers.
