EVANSTON, Ill., Jan. 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Industrial employment in Idaho increased 1.5% over the past year, according to the 2013 Idaho Manufacturers Directory®, an industrial directory published annually by Manufacturers' News, Inc. (MNI) Evanston, IL. MNI reports Idaho gained 1,096 manufacturing jobs from October 2011 to October 2012, the first gain the industrial publisher has recorded for the state since 2006.

Manufacturers' News reports Idaho is now home to 2,152 manufacturers employing 73,920 workers.

"Idaho continues to see its manufacturing sector improve," says Tom Dubin, President of the Evanston, IL-based publishing company, which has been surveying industry since 1912. "Its educated workforce and low business costs have made it easier for manufacturers to expand."

Bright spots for the state the included the opening of Chobani's $450 million yogurt-manufacturing plant in Twin Falls; Cives Steel Company's plans to open a steel fabrication factory in Idaho Falls; and the opening of a Southwark metal ductwork plant in Caldwell. In addition, several manufacturers operating in Idaho have announced expansions, including Precision Machining in Nampa; Lactalis American Group, also in Nampa; Schweitzer Engineering in Lewiston; and ATCO Structures and Logistics in Pocatello. 

Losses for the state included layoffs at Lewiston's Clearwater Paper lumber mill after it was purchased by Idaho Forest Group.

MNI reports industrial machinery and equipment remains Idaho's largest industrial sector by employment with 15,331 jobs, down 1.7% over the year. Food products manufacturing ranks second and accounts for 14,883 jobs, down 3.3%. Third-ranked lumber/wood represents 8,808 of the state's jobs, up 2.4% over the past twelve months.

Most other industrial sectors gained jobs over the year including textiles/apparel, up 5.5%; primary metals, up 5%; fabricated metals, up 4.7%; paper products, up 4.3%; instruments/related products, up 3.2%; furniture/fixtures, up 3%; chemicals, up 2.9%; transportation equipment, up 1.7%; and stone/clay/glass, up 1.1%. Losses were seen in printing/publishing, down 5.4% and electronics, down 1.3%.

According to the industrial directory, Southwest Idaho accounts for the largest share of the state's manufacturing employment with 41,547 manufacturing jobs, up 1.9%. Southeast Idaho ranks second at 17,972 manufacturing jobs, up 1.7%. Northern Idaho is home to 14,401 industrial jobs, with no significant change reported over the year. 

MNI reports Boise remains the state's top city for manufacturing employment, with 21,939 jobs, up 1.4% over the year. Nampa ranks second with 5,890 jobs, up 2.4%. Jobs increased 3% in Idaho Falls, with the city now home to 4,347 industrial jobs. Industrial employment in Lewiston decreased 8.4% over the year with the fourth-ranked city accounting for 2,916 jobs, while Pocatello is home to 2,827, up 4.8% over the past twelve months. 

Detailed profiles of Idaho's 2,152 manufacturers and 390 distributors can be found in the 2013 Idaho Manufacturers Directory®, available in print for $89, or available online through MNI's subscription-based service at www.ezselect.com. Users may generate custom profiles of manufacturers using a variety of criteria, including area or zip code, county, SIC, sales volume, number of employees, and more. Each profile provides up to 30 facts, including vital contact information (phone, web, e-mail), 7,439 executives by name and title, product(s) manufactured, annual sales, and number of employees. MNI also maintains IndustryNet.com, an industrial search engine designed specifically for locating manufacturers and suppliers nationwide, and has recently launched an expansion and relocation guide for manufacturers.

Manufacturers' News, Inc. is the nation's oldest and largest publisher of state manufacturers directories.  For 100 years the company has identified, researched and profiled manufacturing establishments. MNI employs an 85-person editorial staff to scour state business registrations, trade journals, financial reports, and many other sources to pinpoint every manufacturing establishment in the U.S. Each manufacturer is contacted throughout the year to update their profiles, including their employee counts. For more information, contact Manufacturers' News, Inc., 1633 Central St., Evanston, IL, 60201, 847-864-7000, FAX 847-332-1100. www.manufacturersnews.com. Information is also available on Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE Manufacturers' News, Inc.