EVANSTON, Ill., — Industrial employment in Indiana dropped 2.2% over the past 12 months according to the 2008 Indiana Manufacturers Directory, a compilation of state industry published annually by Manufacturers’ News, Inc. (MNI) Evanston, IL. MNI reports Indiana lost 15,118 industrial jobs from March 2007 to March 2008 — comparable to the 2.4% decline MNI reported for the state during the 2006-2007 period and matching the 2.2% loss experienced by the U.S. as a whole within the past 12 months.
“It was a record year for U.S. industrial output and productivity, but improved technology and automation means it requires fewer workers to produce these products,” says Tom Dubin, President of Manufacturers’ News. “The good news is that the industrial jobs that remain tend to pay more because they require engineering and technology skills.”
According to MNI, Indiana ranks 9th in the nation for manufacturing employment and 13th for number of manufacturers. MNI reports industrial employment in Indianapolis improved, moving up two places in MNI’s city ranking to #8 in the nation, surpassing industrial employment in Dallas and St. Louis.
Manufacturers’ News reports Indiana is home to 11,022 manufacturers employing 661,733 workers. MNI profiles manufacturers of all sizes, including small, start-up companies. Indiana’s industrial employment losses reflect those seen across the Midwest, with Michigan jobs down 5%, Illinois down 1.5%, Kentucky down 2.3% and Ohio down 3.1%.
