Manufacturing Jobs are on the Increase in Georgia

A leading report of manufacturing activity shows Georgia increasing jobs for a second consecutive year.

The 2014 Georgia Manufacturers Register® reports Georgia gained 7,769 manufacturing jobs from May 2012 to May 2013. The increase represents a 1.6% rise in manufacturing jobs. This figure is also more than double the gain reported for the 2011-2012 survey period, and a full percentage point above the national average.

According to a report from ManufactursNews.com, Georgia has almost 500,000 people employed by almost 10,000 manufacturers.

“Georgia’s industrial climate continues to improve,” says Tom Dubin, President of the Evanston, IL-based publishing company, which has been surveying industry since 1912. “The state’s reasonable labor costs and friendly business environment continue to result in many companies investing in its manufacturing sector, particularly those in the auto/transportation equipment industries.”

Employment in transportation equipment increased more than 6% and looks to be a strong growth sector moving forward. Recent job expansion announcements by Kia, Hitachi, Inalfla Roof Systems, Decostar Industries, Kubota, and ZF Industries could mean more than 10,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Food products manufacturing along with textiles/apparel manufacturing, industrial machinery and equipment represent the three largest sectors in Georgia-based manufacturing.