Iowa’s manufacturing employment grew for the third consecutive year, and now has 6,000 manufacturing companies employing nearly 300,000 workers.
The 2007 Iowa Manufacturers Register found that over the last 12 months, Iowa gained 7,417 manufacturing jobs, an increase of 5.2 percent over the last two years.
The state ranks 23rd in the nation for manufacturing employment and accounts for 5.7 percent of the Midwest’s manufacturing plants.
Cedar Rapids remains Iowa’s top industrial employer with 20,254 workers, down 3 percent from a year ago. Polk County accounts for the most Iowa manufacturing plants with 693 companies.
According to Manufacturers’ News, printing and publishing accounts for the most Iowa manufacturing plants with 1,037 companies listed in the 2007 edition.
Meatpacking is Iowa’s top industry by employment, accounting for 25,307 jobs. Farm machinery & equipment ranks second with 13,378 jobs while third-ranked plastic products accounts for 13,001 jobs.