Washington Manufacturing: Plants Up 3.6%; Jobs Up 2.2%

EVANSTON, Ill., March 21 -- Washington gained 251 plants (3.6%) and 6,270 manufacturing jobs (2.2%) in 2005 according to the 2006 Washington Manufacturers Directory, an industrial guide published annually by Manufacturers' News, Inc. (MNI).

MNI's private survey reports Washington is home to 7,213 manufacturing companies employing 297,822 workers, compared to the 6,962 plants and 291,552 jobs reported a year earlier.

Manufacturers News reports Washington ranks 12th in the nation in manufacturing employment gains over 1 year and 11th in 2005 plant gains, with manufacturing accounting for 8.5% of the state's workforce.

"Manufacturing productivity is outpacing the gains in the rest of the economy, growing 4% a year as companies adapt their business models to compete in a global economy," said Tom Dubin, President of MNI.

Seattle, Spokane, Kent, and Vancouver gained 84 manufacturers last year, according to Manufacturers News. These cities account for 27% of Washington's manufacturing.

According to a four-year study conducted by Manufacturers' News, the Evergreen State lost 1,685 jobs in 2002 but then gained a total of 15,713 manufacturing jobs between 2003 and 2005. The Directory also shows Washington added a total of 771 manufacturers in the past four years.

Washington's top three industries grew in 2005 according to the 2006 Washington Manufacturers Directory. Industrial machinery and equipment was up by 51 plants while lumber and wood grew by 2 plants. Metal fabricating added 40 plants. These three industries account for a third of Washington's manufacturers.

Detailed information on Washington's 7,213 companies can be found in the 2006 Washington Manufacturers Directory, available in print for $99. The 568- page directory provides an in-depth company profile of up to 30 facts, including addresses, phone/fax numbers, web/email addresses, product(s) manufactured, names and titles of key executives, area of distribution, annual sales, number of employees, brand names, year established and more.

MNI's Washington data is also available on CD-ROM for $157 to $447. Users may select manufacturing companies using thirteen different criteria, including area or zip code, county, SIC, sales volume, number of employees, title and more. This information can be downloaded at http://www.mnileads.com/.

Manufacturers' News, Inc. Evanston, IL, 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. http://www.manufacturersnews.com/.