Macomb County leads U.S. in creating manufacturing jobs
 Manufacturing jobs are on the rise in the U.S., with Macomb County leading the nation according to a recent report by the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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According to a new report from the White House Council of Economic Advisors, workforce data by industry indicates that between the fourth quarter of 2016 and the second quarter of 2018, 9,118 new manufacturing jobs were created in Macomb County, adding to a manufacturing workforce driven by 1,600 companies that employ more than 72,000 people.
“It’s inspiring to see the transformation of manufacturing in Macomb County,” said Macomb County Executive Mark A. Hackel. “A few short years ago, many people doubted the future of manufacturing in the United States. Here in Macomb, we held firm in the belief that our manufacturers would remain a key driver of economic prosperity.”
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Three other Michigan counties - Kent, Oakland and Wayne - made the list of the 40 U.S. counties with the largest increase in manufacturing employment. These four counties represent 48 percent of the manufacturing jobs in the state.
“In Michigan, we know how to make things better than anyplace else,” said Jeff Mason, CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. “We have a long history of innovation, craftsmanship, and ingenuity here, so it comes as no surprise that we lead the country in manufacturing job creation. Manufacturing is in our DNA in Michigan.”
Access to a talented and skilled workforce is crucial to addressing ongoing business challenges, especially new manufacturing jobs that require a range of skills, from engineering to skilled trades. Michigan has the nation-leading approach to training its 277,000 skilled-trades workers and leads the country with the most funds dedicated to skilled-trades training.
“Making sure we have the talent in place to fill these high-demand, high-tech, high-wage career opportunities is also critically important to Michigan,” said Stephanie Beckhorn, acting director of the Talent and Economic Development Department of Michigan. “Michigan will have nearly 110,000 manufacturing career opportunities in Michigan through 2024, and we hope parents, counselors, and other influencers will join us in reaching out to young students and encouraging them to explore these growing, viable career opportunities in the professional trades.”
Key manufacturing-related statistics for the state include:
- Michigan has more than 14,000 manufacturing facilities.
- Michigan ranks fourth for manufacturing states for employment. (Source: Business Facilities magazine, 2017), and third for percentage of manufacturing workforce.
- Automotive facilities produce more than 19 percent of U.S. auto production.
- Automotive manufacturing jobs comprise about 40 percent of total manufacturing jobs in Michigan.
Recent manufacturing expansion projects in these four counties that have received support from the Michigan Strategic Fund include:
--- Macomb County ---
Drake Enterprises, a manufacturer of high-quality machine parts, just announced its plans to expand in Clinton Township, a project that will generate $18.9 million in private investment and create 125 jobs.
HTI Cybernetics, a provider of automated and robotic welding systems, recently announced it was expanding its manufacturing and headquarters operations in Sterling Heights. The expansion is expected to generate $20.6 million in private investment and create 100 jobs over five years.
--- Kent County ---
Amphenol Borisch Technologies is a contract manufacturer for the military and aerospace industries. The company builds complex electromechanical assemblies, cable harnesses, circuit cards and discrete mechanicals. In October, ABT announced its plans to renovate its existing facility in the city of Kentwood and purchase new equipment, a project that will generate private investment of $3.7 million and create 82 jobs.
--- Oakland County ---
Samsung SDI Co., Ltd. , a manufacturer of rechargeable batteries for the IT industry, auto industry, and energy storage systems, plans to expand its manufacturing presence by creating its first high volume automotive battery pack manufacturing facility in the United States in the city of Auburn Hills. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of more than $60 million and create more than 400 jobs.
--- Wayne County ---
ABC Acquisition Company, LLC, dba Aetna Bearing Company, designs, manufactures, and provides bearings to the aerospace, automotive, agriculture, mining, industrial and military sectors. In August, Aetna announced plans to lease an existing facility in the city of Livonia where it will relocate its operations from Illinois. The project is expected to generate private investment of $1.67 million and create 56 high-tech jobs.
To see why manufacturers are choosing Michigan, visit www.michiganbusiness.org/why-michigan/.
For more Michigan economic development news, visit www.michiganbusiness.org/news/.
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