Though still not on the uptick, industrial employment in Connecticut has started to slow its fall and see some light.
Employment in manufacturing fell 3.5 percent over the past 12 months according to the 2011 Connecticut Manufacturers Register, an industrial directory published annually by Manufacturers News Inc.
“The recession continues to affect Connecticut’s manufacturing industries, particularly its transportation equipment sector and industries reliant on the housing market,” said Tom Dubin, president of Manufacturers News Inc. “However, the state’s continued investment in high-tech manufacturing and an educated work force have helped stem the losses a bit.”
Dubin said Connecticut lost 7,808 industrial jobs and 198 manufacturers between May 2009 and May 2010, a smaller loss compared with the 11,000 manufacturing jobs reported lost over the 2008-2009 survey period. Manufacturers News reported Connecticut is now home to 5,622 manufacturers employing 214,165 workers.
The study found transportation equipment remaining as the state”™s largest industrial sector by employment, accounting for 38,296 of the state’s jobs, down 3.4 percent over the year, following layoffs at Pratt & Whitney, among others. Fabricated metals ranks second with 27,694 industrial jobs, down 6.4 percent. Industrial machinery and equipment ranks as the state’s third-largest manufacturing sector with 27,248 of the state’s industrial jobs, down 3.3 percent over the past twelve months.
The close of the Clairol facility in Stamford contributed to a 6.1 percent statewide drop in chemical manufacturing; though expansion of chemical manufacturer LiQuifix Inc. in Stamford proved to be a bright spot.
Dubin said Stratford remains the state’s top city by industrial employment, accounting for 10,826 manufacturing jobs, with no significant change reported over the year. Danbury was No. 4. Nos. 2 and 3 were outside Fairfield County: Groton and Bristol, respectively.
