Texas Manufacturing Employment Remains Steady, Reports State Industrial Directory

Texas Manufacturing Employment Remains Steady, Reports State Industrial
Directory

EVANSTON, Ill., June 10 /PRNewswire/ -- /Manufacturers' News, Inc./ --
Industrial employment in Texas increased a half percent over the past twelve
months according to the 2008 Texas Manufacturers Register, a compilation of
state industry published annually by Manufacturers' News, Inc. (MNI) Evanston,
IL. MNI reports Texas gained 4,579 industrial jobs from April 2007 to April
2008. MNI's 2008 manufacturing report describes a smaller increase than posted
by the state in previous years, but still runs ahead of the significant
employment losses suffered by much of the U.S. over the year.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070213/MNILOGO)
"Manufacturing output is higher than ever, but employment is stagnant,"
says Tom Dubin, President of Manufacturers' News. "So much of Texas' principal
industries such as metal fabricating and electronics production, has become
automated and made more efficient through technology, that fewer employees are
needed to produce these products."
Manufacturers' News reports Texas is home to 24,273 manufacturers
employing 1,225,585 workers, ranking 2nd in the nation for number of
manufacturing jobs and plants, just behind California. The state accounts for
62% of the Southwest's manufacturing jobs and 55% of the region's
manufacturers.
Previous MNI canvasses reported industrial employment increases of 2.7%
from April 2005-2006, and 1.1% from 2006 to 2007.
The manufacturers guide reports employment in Texas' major industries
either remained stable or increased over the year. Makers of industrial
machinery and equipment, the state's largest sector, remained steady and
currently accounts for 167,831 jobs or 14% of the state. The oil industry saw
employment increase by 2.1% or 2,875 jobs and currently accounts for 143,080
of Texas' industrial jobs. Manufacturers of fabricated metal products employ
119,824 Texas workers, up 2,388 or 2% over the year while food products
manufacturing saw no significant change and currently employs 115,154 in the
state.
Other sectors gaining jobs include electronics, up 1.1%, due partially to
increases at Houston-based Powell Industries, Inc. Employment in the
transportation equipment sector jumped 3.1% after increases at Bae Systems in
Sealy. Instruments and related products manufacturing saw a 3% employment
increase. Losses were seen in textiles/apparel, down 3.7%, lumber, down 1%,
printing/publishing, down 1% and chemicals and allied products, down 2.6%.
Rubber and miscellaneous plastics manufacturing saw a decrease of 2.4% after
Goodyear closed its tire plant in Tyler, eliminating 1,100 jobs.
According to MNI, Southeast Texas accounts for the most industrial jobs in
the state with 477,667 jobs reported in the new edition or 39%. Northeast
Texas is home to 450,413 jobs or 37% of the state, while East Central Texas
accounts for 105,249 of the state's jobs. Southwest Texas accounts for 95,547
jobs, Northwest Texas is home to 50,927, and the West Central region
represents 45,782 of the state's industrial jobs.
MNI's city data shows Texas' largest manufacturing cities saw decreases in
industrial employment but still rank among the top 50 in the US for
manufacturing jobs. Houston currently accounts for 222,072 industrial jobs --
comparable to the number of manufacturing jobs for the entire state of Oregon.
Houston saw employment drop by 1.6% over the year, but still ranks 1st in the
nation for number of manufacturing jobs. Dallas accounts for 92,223 of the
state's industrial jobs, down 2.4% over the year and ranks 7th in the nation
for jobs. Fort Worth ranks 3rd in the state and 12th in the nation and
currently accounts for 67,671 jobs, down 2.6% over the past 12 months. San
Antonio ranks 23rd in the nation and is home to 50,816 industrial workers,
down 3.1% in 2007. Employment gains were seen in Irving, up 4.5%, Plano, up
1.1% and Amarillo, up 1.5%.
Detailed profiles of Texas' 24,273 manufacturers and 2,004 industrial
distributors can be found in the 2008 Texas Manufacturers Register, available
in print for $199 and on CD-ROM from $293. Each profile provides up to 30
facts, including vital contact information (phone, web, e-mail), names and
titles of 69,850 key executives, product(s) manufactured, annual sales, number
of employees, and more. Visitors to http://www.mnileads.com may generate
custom company selections using thirteen different criteria, including area or
zip code, county, SIC, sales volume, number of employees, and more.
Manufacturers' News, Inc., publisher of manufacturers' directories since
1912, compiles and produces manufacturing guides, statistics and databases for
all 50 states. For more information, contact Manufacturers' News, Inc., 1633
Central St., Evanston, IL, 60201, 847-864-7000, FAX 847-332-1100.
SOURCE Manufacturers' News, Inc.

Jennifer Ratcliff of Manufacturers' News, Inc., +1-847-864-9440, ext. 241,
jratcliff@manufacturersnews.com