Georgia lost fewer manufacturing jobs over the past year

Industrial employment in Georgia fell 4.2 percent over the past 12 months according to the 2011 Georgia Manufacturers Register, an industrial directory published annually by Manufacturers' News Inc. MNI reports Georgia lost 21,757 industrial jobs between April 2009 and April 2010, roughly half the number of jobs MNI reported lost over the 2008-2009 survey period. MNI had recorded a loss of 48,904 industrial jobs or nearly 9 percent from April 2008 to April 2009.

Manufacturers' News reports Georgia is now home to 10,349 manufacturers employing 486,109 workers.

"The recession, combined with weak demand for housing and building materials, continues to contribute to the employment decline," said Tom Dubin, president of Manufacturers' News. "But manufacturing in Georgia is starting to pick up, with companies taking advantage of the state's favorable business climate."

Food products manufacturing remains Georgia's largest industrial sector by employment, accounting for 67,348 of the state's jobs, down 3.1 percent over the year, following the closures of two Pilgrim's Pride chicken processing plants, among others. Textiles and apparel ranks second with 62,019 industrial jobs, down 9.5 percent, due partially to closures and layoffs at carpet and flooring company Shaw Industries and carpet maker Mohawk Industries. Industrial machinery and equipment ranks as the state's third largest manufacturing sector with 43,546 of the state's industrial jobs, down 4.6 percent over the past 12 months.

MNI reports other industrial sectors that lost jobs over the past year included lumber/wood down 10.6 percent; rubber/plastics down 10.5 percent; printing/publishing down 7.7 percent; stone/clay/glass down 6.7 percent; electronics down 6.6 percent; furniture/fixtures down 3.9 percent; fabricated metal down 3.5 percent; transportation equipment down 3.1 percent; and primary metals down 2.9 percent.

Bright spots for the state included the opening of Kia's first North American manufacturing plant in West Point, the opening of a Johnson Controls plant, also in West Point, which will supply the Kia plant, the re-opening of a previously shuttered Pilgrim's Pride plant in Douglas, and the planned expansion of auto supplier ZF Group with the construction of a plant that will produce gear boxes for wind turbines. Other companies expanding or opening in Georgia include De Wafelbakkers, which plans a processing facility in McDonough; pet care products manufacturer Animal Health & Sciences; MAGE Solar; ATM manufacturer NCR Corporation; and Belgian flooring manufacturer IVC Group.

MNI reports industrial jobs declined the most in Southwest Georgia, down 10.2 percent over the year, with the region currently accounting for 35,730 manufacturing jobs. Industrial jobs declined 7.8 percent in South Central Georgia, with the region home to 47,992 workers, while Southeast Georgia saw a drop of 4.7 percent, currently home to 38,377. Northeast Georgia saw a decline of 4.5 percent, and is currently home to 77,382, while industrial jobs declined 2.7 percent in Northwest Georgia, with the region accounting for the most industrial employment with 286,628 jobs.

Atlanta remains the state's top city by industrial employment, accounting for 57,007 manufacturing jobs, up 2 percent over the past 12 months. Dalton saw employment decrease 8.5 percent and is currently home to 23,276 industrial workers. Marietta accounts for 16,109 industrial jobs, down 2.8 percent, while Alpharetta saw jobs drop 10.5 percent and currently accounts for 15,048 industrial jobs. Fifth-ranked Norcross accounts for 14,202, down 1.2 percent over the year.