Washington State Manufacturing Jobs Up 10,000 In '06

    EVANSTON, Ill., March 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Washington's manufacturing
sector saw another spike in manufacturing employment to the tune of 10,000
over the past year according to the 2007 Washington Manufacturers
Directory, an industrial directory published annually by Manufacturers'
News, Inc. (MNI) Evanston, IL. MNI ( http://www.manufacturersnews.com )
reports Washington's 10,057 jobs gain equates to a 3.5% increase in
industrial employment over twelve months; the state's third straight year
of manufacturing gains.
   (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070213/MNILOGO )
   MNI data indicates Washington's industrial employment began to rise
between 2004 and 2005 during which the state gained 9,443 jobs, followed by
another 4,698 gain between 2005 and 2006. The three-year increase amounts
to an 8.7% jump in industrial employment for the Evergreen State.
   "Washington's gains were among the largest seen in the U.S. over the
past few years," said Howard Dubin, Chairman of the Chicago area-based
publishing company, which has been conducting industry surveys since 1912.
"Manufacturing continues to grow in this region because its workers rank
high in the technological skills that make up America's new advanced
manufacturing."
   MNI's regional study shows Washington ranks 23rd in the U.S. by number
of manufacturing jobs and 19th by plants. Washington represents 1.3% of the
Western region's plants and 11.3% of its manufacturing employment, ranking
it 2nd in the region for jobs. Washington also ranks second in the region
in workforce increases over one year. Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Nevada
gained a combined 9.4% manufacturing employment for the region compared to
California and Arizona's 3.1% aggregate loss.
   Manufacturers' News reports Washington is home to 7,065 manufacturers
employing 306,757 workers. MNI profiles both large and small Washington
manufacturers, including start-up companies with just a few employees.
   Redmond is Washington's top industrial employer accounting for 12.5% of
the state's manufacturing employment, or 38,337 jobs. Seattle is a close
second, accounting for 36,174 jobs (12%) but ranks first in plants,
representing 14% of the state total. Manufacturing employment was up in
both cities in 2006, with Redmond up 8% and Seattle 5.1%, but plants were
down in both cities by a combined 3.4%.
   MNI reports 13% of the state's plants are in the industrial machinery
and equipment sector. Aircraft and related parts and equipment represent
the state's top sector by employment, accounting for 33,174 jobs or 11% of
the state's industrial workforce. Missile and related parts production
accounts for another 8,300 jobs or 2.7%. Pre-packaged software accounts for
29,552 jobs while saw/planing mills employ 7,546.
   Detailed profiles of Washington's 7,065 companies can be found in the
2007 Washington Manufacturers Register, available in print for $105 and on
CD-ROM from $164. Each profile provides up to 30 facts, including vital
contact information (phone, web, e-mail), names and titles of 17,966 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 distributes 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.
        State Manufacturing Employment Comparison -- Western Region

                                     2006           2007
                                    Edition        Edition
    State          Data collected    jobs           jobs           % +/-
    1. Nevada      10/05-10/06      61,240         63,795          + 4.1%
    2. Washington  2/06-2/07        295,250        306,757         + 3.5%
    3. Oregon      10/05-10/06      237,963        240,857         + 1.3%
    4. Idaho       10/05-10/06      82,576         83,066          + 0.5%
    5. California  2/06-2/07        1,686,055      1,661,789       - 1.4%
    6. Arizona     3/06-3/07        246,120        241,897         - 1.7%
    7. Hawaii      12/06-12/07      27,469         25,924          - 5.6%

SOURCE Manufacturers' News, Inc.