Minnesota's manufacturing employment growth accelerated over the past year, according to industrial data collected by Manufacturers' News Inc. (MNI). MNI reports Minnesota added 3,285 jobs between October 2016 and October 2017, a gain of 1 percent, which was more than double the increase from the 2015-2016 survey period.
Minnesota is now home to 8,825 manufacturers employing 469,296 people. This marks the sixth straight year the state has added jobs, with its industrial workforce growing by nearly 20,000 workers since October 2011.
"With a robust economy, abundant capital funding, an educated workforce, and sharp focus on technology and innovation, Minnesota has a lot to offer manufacturers, especially those seeking highly skilled labor," says Tom Dubin, MNI president. "However, high business costs and global competition continue to temper growth."
Industrial job gains in Minnesota were led by the food-processing sector, which grew by 1.2 percent and currently ranks as the state's top industry by factory employment with 68,519 jobs. Employment in second-ranked industrial machinery held steady at 67,874 workers, while third-ranked medical instruments/related products remained virtually unchanged at 47,261 workers. Increases were also recorded in numerous other industries, including chemicals, furniture/fixtures, transportation equipment and stone/clay/glass. Employment in most remaining sectors remained stable, although decreases were reported in primary metals and textiles/apparel.
A number of Minnesota manufacturers expanded over the year, including Pepin Manufacturing in Wabasha, farm equipment manufacturer Geringhoff in St. Cloud, contract manufacturer MDI in Hibbing, and L&M Radiator also in Hibbing. In addition, C6 Composites established a new carbon composite facility in Roseville, and Valley Natural Foods broke ground on a meat-processing plant in Northfield.
Industrial locations in Minnesota announcing closures over the past year included Imperial Plastics, which shuttered its Mankato facility, and Logic PD, which closed its Montevideo plant.
Minneapolis remains the state's top city by industrial employment, with 57,322 jobs. Second-ranked St. Paul accounts for 38,419 jobs, while third-ranked Eden Prairie is home to 11,299 jobs.
For more information, visit www.mni.net.