Kansas Manufacturing Jobs Jumped 1.5% Over One Year; Up 4.6% Over Three Years - May 13, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jennifer Ratcliff Manufacturers’ News, Inc. 1633 Central St. Evanston, IL 60201 (847) 864-9440 ext. 241 jratcliff [at] manufacturersnews.com
EVANSTON, Ill, May 14, 2008/Manufacturers’ News, Inc/--Industrial employment in Kansas increased another 1.5% over the past twelve months according to the 2008 Kansas Manufacturers Directory, a compilation of state industry published annually by Manufacturers’ News, Inc. (MNI) Evanston, IL. MNI reports Kansas gained 3,439 industrial jobs from March 2007 to March 2008—the third straight year of gains for the state, contrary to the steep losses suffered by most of the U.S.
According to earlier surveys conducted by MNI, Kansas gained 1,855 manufacturing jobs or nearly 1% between March 2005 and March 2006 and then gained another 4,906 industrial jobs over the 2006-2007 period for a three-year gain of 4.6%.
“Growing worldwide demand for products made in Kansas, particularly aircraft and industrial machinery, made 2007 a very strong year for exports,” says Tom Dubin, President of Manufacturers’ News. “While most other states have been losing manufacturing jobs to technology, automation and outsourcing, Kansas’ stronghold in the aviation and agricultural sectors, as well as its generally favorable business environment, have helped the state attract and retain industrial facilities.”
According to MNI, aircraft and aircraft parts/equipment manufacturing accounts for 19% of the state’s industrial jobs or 43,974 jobs, up 6.6% or 2,726 jobs over last year due to increases by the state’s major aviation manufacturers such as Boeing, Spirit Aerosystems, and Cessna Aircraft Co. The transportation equipment sector as a whole accounts for 54,894 industrial jobs or 24% of the state, up 2,705 jobs or 5.2%. Food products manufacturing represents 34,159 of the state’s jobs, up 958 or 2.9% over the past twelve months while industrial machinery and equipment accounts for 27,309 jobs, down 286 or 1%.
Other sectors gaining jobs include chemicals and allied products, up 1.8%, rubber and miscellaneous plastic products, up another 1.8%, and electronics, up 6.7%. Sectors losing employment include textiles/apparel, down 1.6%, paper/allied products, down 4.4%, printing/publishing, down 2.3% and primary metals, down 12.9%.
Manufacturers’ News reports Kansas is home to 4,834 manufacturers employing 232,623 workers, ranking 27th in the nation for number of manufacturing jobs and 31st for number of manufacturers. MNI profiles manufacturers of all sizes including small, start up companies.
According to MNI, all four regions of the state either gained jobs or remained stable over the past twelve months, with Southwest Kansas posting the most growth. Southwest Kansas accounts for the third most jobs in the state with 16,552 workers, up 8.6% or 1,304 jobs. Southeast Kansas accounts for the most jobs in the state with 113,246 jobs, up 2,147 or 1.9%. Northeast Kansas is home to 95,602 jobs, with no significant change reported over the year. Northwest Kansas represents 7,223 of the state’s jobs, up 1% in the past twelve months.
MNI’s city data shows Wichita accounts for 28% of the state’s industrial employment or 65,860 jobs, up 1,944 jobs or 3% over the year. MNI data shows Wichita ranks 13th in the U.S. for industrial employment, ahead of Minneapolis, Atlanta and Philadelphia. Kansas City is home to 14,211 jobs, down 1.5% over the past twelve months, or 211 jobs while Lenexa accounts for 9,913 jobs, down 1.2% over the past 12 months. Olathe represents 7,252 jobs, up 1.5% over the year while Topeka is home to 8,991 jobs, down 3.2% over the year.
Detailed profiles of Kansas’ 4,834 manufacturers and 607 industrial distributors can be found in the 2008 Kansas Manufacturers Directory, available in print for $96 and on CD-ROM from $145. Each profile provides up to 30 facts, including vital contact information (phone, web, e-mail), names and titles of 15,038 key executives, product(s) manufactured, annual sales, number of employees, and more. Visitors to http://www.mnileads.com may generate custom company selections using thirteen different criteria, including area or zip code, county, SIC, sales volume, number of employees, and more.
Manufacturers’ News, Inc., publisher of manufacturers’ directories since 1912, compiles and produces manufacturing guides, statistics and databases for all 50 states. For more information, contact Manufacturers’ News, Inc., 1633 Central St., Evanston, IL, 60201, 847-864-7000, FAX 847-332-1100.
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