Manufacturing employment in Connecticut declined slightly over the past year, according to the 2015 Connecticut Manufacturers Register, a manufacturers' database and directory published by Manufacturers' News Inc. (MNI). MNI reports that Connecticut lost 1,894 manufacturing jobs from June 2013 to June 2014 and is one of the few states for which a loss was reported in the past year. The state is now home to 5,242 manufacturers employing 208,208 workers.
A five-year analysis of MNI data shows industrial jobs in Connecticut have fallen 6.2 percent since June 2009, while government statistics reveal manufacturing employment in the United States overall climbed 3.4 percent during the same time period.
"High business costs and global competition have made it difficult for Connecticut manufacturers to climb back from the recession," says Tom Dubin, MNI president. "However, its educated workforce and investment in worker training programs continue to be a draw for new businesses, particularly those focused on technology and innovation."
Industrial locations announcing closures in Connecticut included a Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics plant in Brookfield and a Northrop Grumman military radar site in Norwalk.
Among the companies announcing expansions over the year included Memry Corporation in Bethel, Neeltran Inc. in New Milford, Bakery on Main in East Hartford and BYK USA in Wallingford.
Transportation equipment remains the state's largest sector by employment with 34,154 jobs. Second-ranked fabricated metals accounts for 26,007 jobs, while industrial machinery ranks third with 25,903 jobs.
Additional industries in Connecticut cutting jobs included instruments/related products, stone/clay/glass, lumber/wood, printing/publishing and primary metals. Gains were reported in furniture/fixtures, food products and paper products.
MNI's city data shows Stratford remains the state's top city for industrial employment with 9,346 workers. Bristol was second with 8,658 jobs, while North Haven ranked third with 7,866 industrial workers.
For more information, visit www.manufacturersnews.com.
