Virginia lost 1.6 percent of its manufacturing jobs over the past 12 months, according to the new Virginia Manufacturers Directory, an industrial guide published annually by Manufacturers’ News Inc. MNI reports Virginia lost 6,513 manufacturing jobs since November 2005, a moderate loss compared to the 25,844 industrial jobs lost since November 2002.
“Although Virginia’s job growth has improved across most sectors, industrial employment is still declining,” said MNI president Thomas Dubin. “Outsourcing, mergers and consolidation contributed to the loss of manufacturing jobs as well as automated manufacturing processes that require fewer workers.”
Manufacturers’ News reports Virginia is home to 7,527 manufacturers employing 398,646 workers. MNI profiles both large and small Virginia manufacturers, including startup companies with just a few employees.
MNI’s regional study reports Virginia accounts for 11.3 percent of the Mid-Atlantic’s plants and 13 percent of the region’s jobs. Virginia ranks 18th in the nation for its total number of manufacturers and industrial jobs. According to MNI statistics, Virginia’s job losses echo those felt by many of its neighbors. Maryland lost 2 percent industrial employment and South Carolina lost 2.1 percent. North Carolina and Pennsylvania were each down 1 percent.
Richmond remains Virginia’s top industrial city with 658 plants and 36,465 jobs. Newport News accounts for 137 plants and 29,141 jobs, while Norfolk ranks third with 257 plants and 14,161 jobs. MNI reports Richmond’s jobs were down 10 percent this year. Lynchburg lost 2.8 percent manufacturing employment, while Chesapeake was down 2.6 percent and Salem 2.5 percent.
According to Manufacturers’ News, many of Virginia’s smaller cities gained manufacturing jobs, with Virginia Beach increasing its workforce by 15 percent in 2006. Virginia Beach manufacturers Stihl Inc., Electronic Systems Inc. and Arai Manufacturing Inc. added a combined 1,413 jobs. MNI reports Norfolk’s factory jobs increased 6 percent after a contact lens manufacturer added 400 jobs, while Roanoke’s industrial employment increased 5 percent.
MNI reports the ship-building and repair industry is Virginia’s largest sector by employment, accounting for 21,667 jobs. Printed circuit boards account for 13,151 jobs, while newspapers rank third with 11,533 jobs.
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