Idaho manufacturing employment grew 1.3 percent over the past 12 months according to the 2008 Idaho Manufacturers Directory, a manufacturers guide published annually by Manufacturers' News Inc. Since October 2006, Idaho gained another 1,066 industrial jobs – the second straight year of employment gains MNI has reported for the state.
MNI reports many surrounding states shared similar employment gains to Idaho's, with Wyoming manufacturing employment up 3 percent, Nevada's up 1.4 percent and Oregon up a half percent over the past 12 months. According to earlier MNI reports, manufacturing employment in the Western and Plains states has mostly increased over the past few years, contrary to the precipitous employment losses felt in the rest of the country.
"Idaho's plentiful natural resources provide some immunity to the outsourcing that has cost the country so many manufacturing jobs," says MNI president Thomas Dubin. "The state's lumber and agricultural industries provide a solid base of jobs that are resource-dependent as opposed to the labor-dependent jobs that continue to leave the country."
The industrial machinery and equipment sector accounts for the most manufacturing jobs in Idaho, representing 24.2 percent of the state's industrial employment, or 20,206 jobs, up 252 jobs, or 1.2 percent, over the past months. Computer and computer parts and accessories manufacturing account for more than half of these jobs, at 10,943 workers, with no significant employment change reported over the year. The food products sector is another major industrial employer, accounting for 15,242 jobs, or 18.3 percent of the state, with employment up 1.3 percent over the past 12 months. The lumber and wood sector represents 15 percent of the state's manufacturing employment, or 12,458 jobs, up 1.3 percent, or 196 jobs.
Lumber and wood is the largest sector by number of manufacturers, with 395 companies, or 16.3 percent of the state. Printing and publishing firms also have a significant presence in Idaho with 264 such companies located in the state.
Manufacturers' News reports Idaho is now home to 2,416 manufacturers employing 83,349 workers. MNI profiles both large and small Idaho manufacturers, including start-up companies with just a few employees.
MNI's study shows Idaho ranks 38th in the nation for manufacturing plants and 36th for related jobs. Idaho accounts for 4.3 percent of the West's manufacturers and 3.1 percent of the region's jobs.
Southwest Idaho accounts for over half of the state's industrial employment or 48,236 jobs, up 1.6 percent job since October 2006. Southern Idaho accounts for 22.8 percent of the state's industrial employment, or 48,236 jobs, with no significant change reported over the last 12 months, while Northern Idaho accounts for 19.2 percent of the state, or 16,037 industrial jobs, also up 1.6 percent over the year.
MNI's city data shows Boise is home to the most industrial jobs, representing 31 percent of the state's manufacturing employment, or 26,306 jobs, up 1 percent from October 2006, and accounts for 369 manufacturers. Nampa ranks second in the state with 7,407 jobs, up 4.1 percent from a year ago, and is home to 145 manufacturers. Idaho Falls ranks third with 4,670 jobs and 157 plants with no change reported over the past 12 months. Fourth-ranked Lewiston accounts for 3,381 jobs, up 2.4 percent over the year, and is home to 72 manufacturers. Fifth-ranked Pocatello accounts for 3,070 jobs and 76 manufacturers, down 280 jobs, or 8.3 percent since October 2006.