Industrial Directory Reports Oregon Gained Manufacturing Jobs Over Past Year

EVANSTON, Ill., Dec. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Following several years of significant losses, industrial employment in Oregon was little changed over the past year, with the state posting a slight gain, according to the 2012 Oregon Manufacturers Directory®, an industrial directory published annually by Manufacturers' News, Inc. (MNI) Evanston, IL. MNI reports Oregon gained 903 manufacturing jobs over the past year or about a half percent, from October 2010 to October 2011.

Manufacturers' News reports Oregon is now home to 5,809 manufacturers employing 214,997 workers.

"The recovery is gaining momentum in Oregon and across the U.S.," says Tom Dubin, President of the Evanston, IL-based publishing company, which has been surveying industry since 1912. "The state's low business costs, abundant natural resources, and solid infrastructure have been a draw for a variety of enterprises."

Bright spots for Oregon included SoloPower Inc's expected opening of its photovoltaic facility in Portland; Perpetua Power Source Technologies' plans to establish a factory in North Bend; the expansion of frozen organic food manufacturer Amy's Kitchen in White City; Daimler's plans to expand production at its Portland truck plant; and the expansion of Turtle Island Foods in Hood River. 

MNI reports electronics manufacturing is Oregon's largest industrial sector by employment with 30,062 jobs, up 1.6% over the year. Second-ranked lumber/wood declined 2.9%, due partially to layoffs at Liberty Homes' Sheridan plant, and currently accounts for 29,891 industrial jobs. Third-ranked food products manufacturing accounts for 29,549 industrial jobs, up 3.6%.  

Industrial sectors that lost jobs over the year included primary metals, down 5%; stone/clay/glass down 1.3%; and paper products, down 1.1%, following the closure of Blue Heron Paper Co. in Oregon City, among others. Gains were seen in industrial machinery and equipment, up 3.1%; textiles/apparel, up 1.3%; rubber/plastics, up 1% and chemicals, up 1%.

Manufacturers' News reports Northwest Oregon accounts for the most industrial employment in the state with 159,291 jobs, up 1.5% over the year. Southwest Oregon accounts for 41,821 jobs, down 2.9%, while Southeast Oregon is home to 8,000 industrial workers, down 2.7%. Northeast Oregon accounts for 5,885 industrial jobs, with no significant change reported.  

According to the industrial directory, Portland is Oregon's top city for manufacturing employment, home to 47,957 jobs, up 2.5% over the year. Second-ranked Hillsboro accounts for 22,879 jobs, with no significant change reported. Industrial employment in Beaverton increased 2% and is currently home to 15,808 industrial workers. Eugene accounts for 11,541 industrial jobs, down 5.4%, while Salem accounts for 7,155 jobs, down 3.3%.

Detailed profiles of Oregon's 5,809 manufacturers and 1,026 industrial distributors can be found in the 2012 Oregon Manufacturers Directory®, available in print for $113 and on CD-ROM from $176. Each profile provides up to 30 facts, including vital contact information (phone, web, e-mail), 19,875 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.