Utah's manufacturing employment rose 3.7 percent over the past 12 months, according to the new Utah Manufacturers Directory, an industrial guide published by Manufacturers' News Inc. MNI reports Utah has gained 6,294 jobs and 54 plants since September 2005, ranking it among the top U.S. manufacturing states in terms of job increases over one year.
Utah is now home to 4,418 manufacturing companies employing 166,484 workers, and accounts for 15 percent of the Mountain-Plains manufacturing employment, reports the directory. MNI's survey profiles both large and small Utah manufacturers, including startup companies with just a few employees.
"Manufacturing continues to grow in this region because its workers rank high in the skills, education and technology that make up America's new advanced manufacturing," said Howard Dubin, chairman of the Chicago area-based publishing company which has been conducting surveys of U.S. industry since 1912.
Salt Lake City remains Utah's industrial leader, accounting for 31 percent of Utah's companies and 35 percent of its jobs. Major Salt Lake City employers include Franklin Covey Co. with 3,100 employees and Huish detergents with 1,000 workers. Ogden ranks second with 285 plants and 15,483 jobs while Orem ranks 3rd with 183 plants and 5,346 jobs.
According to the directory, Utah's largest sectors by employment are sporting and athletic goods, accounting for 7,208 jobs, motor vehicles and accessories with 6,149 jobs, and medicinals and botanicals representing 4,889 jobs.