EVANSTON, Ill., Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Industrial employment in Idaho fell 8.7% over the past twelve months according to the 2010 Idaho Manufacturers Directory, an industrial directory published annually by Manufacturers' News, Inc. (MNI) Evanston, IL. MNI reports Idaho lost 7,366 industrial jobs and 142 manufacturers between October 2008 and October 2009, the sharpest decline MNI has ever reported in the seven years it has been tracking the state's industry.

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Manufacturers' News reports Idaho is now home to 2,240 manufacturers employing 77,589 workers.

"As with the entire nation, the recession continues to affect Idaho's industrial sectors," says Tom Dubin, President of the Evanston, IL-based publishing company, which has been surveying industry since 1912. "However, the state's strong exports and favorable business climate should help lay the groundwork for recovery."

Industrial machinery and equipment manufacturing saw the largest drop in employment, down 23%, according to MNI, following the closure of MPC Computers and layoffs at Micron Technology Corp. As a result, food products manufacturing has overtaken industrial machinery and equipment as the state's largest industrial sector by employment. MNI reports food products accounts for 16,322 jobs, down 2.4% over the year, while industrial machinery accounts for 15,666 jobs.

Third-ranked lumber and wood accounts for 10,634 jobs, down 9.3% over the past twelve months.

Most other industrial sectors in Idaho lost jobs within the past year and included transportation equipment, down 7.2%; rubber/plastics down 7.2%; electronics down 4.7%; furniture/fixtures down 3.1%; stone/clay/glass down 3.1%; printing/publishing down 2.9% and chemicals/allied products down 2%.

Employment remained steady in the textiles/apparel, paper products, primary metals and fabricated metals sectors, according to MNI.

Bright spots for the state include the expansions of recreational trailer manufacturer Jayco Inc in Twin Falls and ammunition maker ATK in Lewiston, which has added 209 jobs since January 2009. In addition, exports of goods produced in Idaho have still risen significantly according to government data, rising 72% from 2004-2008.

Manufacturers' News reports Southeast Idaho saw the largest drop in employment, down 12.4% over the year with the region currently accounting for 43,367 jobs. Manufacturing employment declined 3.7% in Southwest Idaho, with the region currently home to 18,722 jobs. Northern Idaho saw a 3.6% decline in manufacturing employment with the region accounting for 15,500 industrial jobs.

MNI's city data shows Boise is Idaho's top city for manufacturing employment, home to 22,304 jobs, down 16.5% over the year. Second-ranked Nampa accounts for 6,343 jobs, with employment down 18%. Industrial employment in Idaho Falls fell 2.5% over the year and is currently home to 4,431 industrial workers. Lewiston accounts for 3,313 industrial jobs with no significant change over the year, while Pocatello accounts for 3,001 jobs, down 7% over the past twelve months.

Detailed profiles of Idaho's 2,240 manufacturers and 381 industrial distributors can be found in the 2010 Idaho Manufacturers Directory, available in print for $84 and on CD-ROM from $113. Each profile provides up to 30 facts, including vital contact information (phone, web, e-mail), 7,224 executives by name and title, product(s) manufactured, annual sales, number of employees, and more. Visitors to mnileads.com may generate custom profiles of manufacturers 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. MNI also maintains IndustryNet.com, an industrial search engine designed specifically for locating manufacturers and suppliers nationwide. For more information, contact Manufacturers' News, Inc., 1633 Central St., Evanston, IL, 60201, 847-864-7000, FAX 847-332-1100.

SOURCE Manufacturers' News, Inc.

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