Michigan Gained 14,600 Manufacturing Jobs in 2012 According to Industrial Guide
EVANSTON, Ill. -- For the second year in a row, industrial employment in Michigan posted a gain according to the 2013 Michigan Manufacturers Directory, an industrial directory published annually by Manufacturers' News Inc. in Evanston, Ill.
MNI reports Michigan gained 14,648 manufacturing jobs from January 2012 to January 2013 or 2.3 percent, despite the loss of 54 manufacturers.
Manufacturers' News reports Michigan is now home to 14,222 manufacturers employing 650,291 workers.
"Michigan's industrial climate continues to improve," says Tom Dubin, president of the Evanston-based publishing company, which has been surveying industry since 1912. " The state's efforts to reduce business costs have resulted in many companies reinvesting in its manufacturing sector."
According to the industrial directory, Michigan's largest sectors by number of manufacturing jobs all posted gains. Transportation equipment ranks first in the state for industrial employment with 131,274 jobs, up 4.3 percent in 2012 -- double the increase MNI reported for the sector in 2011. Industrial machinery and equipment ranks second with 120,541 manufacturing jobs, up 1.9 percent, while fabricated metals accounts for 77,192 industrial jobs, up about a third of a percent.
Other sectors to gain jobs included textiles and apparel, up 5.7 percent; rubber and plastics, up 4.3 percent; furniture and fixtures, up 2.4 percent; instruments and related products, up 1.7 percent; electronics, up 1.6 percent; and printing and publishing, up 1 percent. Losses were seen in chemicals, down 2.2 percent; lumber and wood, down 2 percent; and stone, clay and glass, down 1.6 percent.
The state's auto manufacturing sector was boosted by "Big Three" automakers' continued investments in their Michigan locations. Chrysler plans a $240 million expansion of its Detroit plants; Ford will invest $773 million to expand hiring at six factories across the state; and GM plans to expand its Lansing facility. In response, several auto suppliers have announced openings and expansions, including Detroit Manufacturing Systems, which opened an auto parts plant in Detroit and will supply Ford with instrument panels. Brose North America opened a new facility in New Boston; auto parts maker Faurecia opened a new plant in Fraser; and Magna E-Car Systems established a new assembly plant in Grand Blanc Township.
Manufacturing locations in Michigan that have announced closures included American Axle & Manufacturing in Detroit; Caparo Vehicle Components in Novi; and International Paper in Kalamazoo.
Southeast Michigan accounts for the most industrial employment in the state with 378,278 jobs, up 2.6 percent in 2012. Southwest Michigan accounts for 204,651 jobs, up 2.6 percent, while Northwest Michigan accounts for 32,437, with no significant change reported. The Northeast region is home to 19,590 industrial workers, down 4.4 percent, while employment increased 2.2 percent in the Upper Peninsula, with the region home to 15,335 manufacturing jobs.
MNI's city data shows Grand Rapids remains Michigan's top city for manufacturing employment, with 41,715 jobs, up 5.8 percent over the survey period. Second-ranked Detroit is home to 31,772 jobs, with no significant change reported. Industrial employment in Auburn Hills increased 5.5 percent over the year, with the third-ranked city currently home to 24,311 jobs. Sterling Heights accounts for 16,652 jobs, up 14 percent, while Warren is home to 15,790, virtually unchanged over the year.
Detailed profiles of Michigan's 14,222 manufacturing companies and 1,664 distributors can be found in the 2013 Michigan Manufacturers Directory available in print for $191, or available online through MNI's industrial database subscription service EZSelect.com. Users may generate custom profiles of manufacturers using a variety of criteria, including region, SIC, sales volume, number of employees, and more. Each business profile provides up to 30 facts, including vital contact information, 46,055 executives by name and title, product(s) manufactured, and more.
