EVANSTON, IL--(MARKET WIRE)--Apr 21, 2008 -- Industrial employment in Florida dropped 2% over the past 12 months according to the 2008 Florida Manufacturers Register, a compilation of state industry published annually by Manufacturers' News, Inc. (MNI), Evanston, IL. The Florida industrial directory reports the state lost 11,613 industrial jobs from March 2007 to March 2008 -- nearly twice as many jobs MNI reported lost in the state during the 2006-2007 period.

According to earlier MNI reports, Florida lost 1% of its manufacturing jobs between 2005 and 2006, and then lost another 1% between 2006 and 2007. Florida's losses were comparable to other Southeast states with North Carolina down 2.3%, Alabama down 2.2% and South Carolina down 4%, according to earlier MNI reports.

"Even though manufacturing activity is at a record high, outsourcing, consolidation and increased technology have contributed to industrial employment declines across the nation," says Tom Dubin, President of Manufacturers' News, which has been surveying U.S industry since 1912.

The manufacturers directory reports Florida is home to 16,525 manufacturers employing 572,173 workers. Florida ranks 7th in the nation for number of manufacturers and 11th for jobs, due to a larger number of small manufacturers operating in the state. MNI reports 71% of the state's manufacturers employ 15 or fewer workers, compared to the national average of 62%. Florida ranks 1st in the Southeast for number of manufacturers and 2nd for industrial jobs, behind North Carolina.

According to MNI, Florida's losses were spread evenly between South and Central Florida with Central Florida down the most at 5,707 jobs or 2.1%. The Central region currently accounts for 263,533 jobs or 46% of the state's employment. South Florida represents 205,175 of the state's jobs, down 5,320 jobs or 2.5% over the year. Northeast Florida accounts for 68,785 jobs, up 214 jobs, while the Panhandle is home to 32,680 workers -- 900 fewer than a year ago.

MNI's city data shows Miami manufacturers employ 47,004 of the state's industrial workers, down 2,162 or 4.4% over the past 12 months. MNI reports Miami is among the top 50 manufacturing cities in the nation with its 1,437 manufacturers ranking the city 11th in the US for number of companies, and 29th in the nation for jobs. Jacksonville ranks second in the state for employment with 41,621 jobs, up a half percent for a year ago, while Orlando is a close third with 37,382 industrial workers, down just 109 jobs. Tampa accounts for 33,177 jobs, down 2.7% over the year, while Fort Lauderdale is down the most at 6.9% and currently accounts for 15,961 jobs.

Manufacturers' News reports electronics manufacturing is the state's leading sector, with 62,216 industrial jobs, or 11% of the state's manufacturing employment, down 7.6% over the past 12 months. Losses in this sector were due partially to a Honeywell plant closing, and the closure of a WPI plant. The printing/publishing sector employs 60,564 Florida workers, down 887 or 1.4% over the past 12 months. Fabricated metal manufacturing accounts for another 53,231 jobs, down 284 or a half percent.

Other sectors losing employment include lumber and wood, down 6.7%; furniture & fixtures, down 5.2%; paper/allied products, down 6.9%; rubber and miscellaneous plastics, 5.1%; and primary metals, down 5.7%.

Employment gains were seen in the transportation sector, up a half percent, with aerospace/aviation manufacturing up 2.2%, and food products manufacturing, up a half percent.

Detailed profiles of Florida's 16,525 manufacturers and 1,480 industrial distributors can be found in the 2008 Florida Manufacturers Register, available in print for $177 and on CD-ROM from $248. Each profile provides up to 30 facts, including vital contact information (phone, web, e-mail), names and titles of 45,614 executives by name and title, product(s) manufactured, annual sales, number of employees, and more. Visitors to www.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. For more information, contact Manufacturers' News, Inc., 1633 Central St., Evanston, IL, 60201, 847-864-7000, FAX 847-332-1100.

     Contact:
     Jennifer Ratcliff
     Manufacturers' News, Inc.
     (847) 864-9440 ext. 241
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