For a third straight year, industrial employment in Ohio posted a gain, according to the 2015 Ohio Manufacturers Directory, a manufacturers' database and directory published by Manufacturers' News Inc. (MNI).
MNI reports Ohio manufacturers added 7,743 industrial jobs from September 2013 to September 2014, which was slightly less than the national average gain reported by the Labor Department for the same time period. Ohio is now home to 17,261 manufacturers employing 883,204 workers.
"Following several years of decline, manufacturing in Ohio is finally beginning to pick up speed," says Tom Dubin, MNI president. "The revival of its all-important auto sector and investments in tech and innovation as well as a growing energy sector have helped support growth and boost employment."
Gains were led by the transportation equipment sector, which posted a 6.1-percent employment increase over the year. This is expected to keep rising with China-based Fuyao's plans to open an auto parts facility in Moraine, the establishment of UGN Inc.'s auto plant in Monroe, and the expansions of SFS in Medina, Ford's engine plant in Cleveland, RV maker Airstream in Jackson Center, and Honda's facility in Anna.
Employment in the state's oil/gas extraction shot up 23 percent as more facilities open to service oil and gas production in the Utica and Marcellus shales, including Anchor Drilling, Evets Fabrication Services and MarkWest Energy. Other Ohio manufacturing sectors adding jobs included instruments/related products, food products, electronics and fabricated metals.
Industrial machinery and equipment accounts for the most manufacturing employment in Ohio, with 144,985 jobs, while fabricated metals currently ranks second with 104,267 jobs. The transportation equipment sector accounts for 89,645 jobs, ranking it third in the state for industrial employment.
Employment losses were recorded in printing/publishing, chemicals, furniture/fixtures, rubber/plastics, and lumber/wood. Industrial locations announcing closures included Ben Venue Laboratories in Bedford and Ormet Corp.'s smelter in Hannibal.
Cincinnati remains the state's top city for industrial employment with 73,992 workers. Cleveland was second with 59,580 jobs, while Columbus ranked third with 44,928 jobs.
For more information, visit www.manufacturersnews.com.