South Carolina saw another year of manufacturing losses, according to the 2008 South Carolina Manufacturers Register, an industrial directory published annually by Manufacturers'
News, Inc. (MNI) Evanston, IL. MNI (http://www.manufacturersnews.com) reports South Carolina lost 12,781 manufacturing jobs or 4% of its manufacturing jobs since August 2006, continuing the downward trend the state has seen since 2001.

According to MNI, the textile and apparel industries account for over half of the losses, with these sectors down a combined 7,739 jobs or 16% from August 2006. Textiles and apparel currently account for 41,117 jobs or 16% of the state. Major employment drops in this sector include home furnishings, down 1,668 jobs; yarn spinning mills, down 781 jobs; finishing plants, down 742 and broad woven fabric mills, down 740.
   
MNI's historical data shows South Carolina has lost 18% of its industrial employment or 68,466 manufacturing jobs since September 2001
   
"South Carolina's job losses echo those seen all across the Southeast as manufacturers, particularly those in the textile industries, continue to be lured by cheaper labor costs overseas," said Tom Dubin, President of the Evanston, IL-based publishing company, which has been surveying US industry since 1912, "Also, in today's manufacturing fewer employees are needed due to automation and technology; instead of four assembly line workers, now you may have just one controlling the manufacturing process through a computer."
   
South Carolina's auto industry accounts for another 26,553 jobs or 8.7% of the state and is down 5% or 1,384 jobs from last year. Rubber and miscellaneous plastics account for 28,579 jobs or 9%, down 787 jobs or 2.6% from last year. Sub-sectors showing increased employment include plastics materials & resins, up 695 and commercial lighting fixtures, up 400.
   
According to MNI, neighboring Georgia lost 7% of its textile jobs, and 2.2% of its overall manufacturing employment from April 2006 to April 2007. Other losses in the region were seen in Alabama, down 2%, North Carolina, down 1.3% and Florida 1%, according to earlier reports from MNI.
   
Manufacturers' News reports South Carolina is home to 5,561 manufacturers employing 302,058 workers. MNI surveys both large and small manufacturers, including small start-up companies with just a few employees.
   
The Northwest part of the state accounts for the largest share of South Carolina's manufacturing jobs, with 182,775 jobs or 60% of the state's industrial employment, down 3.5% over the past 12 months. The Northeast is home to the 2nd most at 63,441 jobs or 21% of the state, down 6.3%, while the Southeast accounts for 31,482 jobs, or 10%, down 1.2% over the 12-month period. The Southwest accounts for 24,360 of the state's jobs, or 8%, and is down 5.2%.
   
MNI's regional analysis shows South Carolina ranks 21st in the nation for manufacturing plants, and 27th for jobs, and accounts for 8.4% of the Southeast's manufacturing jobs and 7.6% of its plants.

    Greenville is home to the most South Carolina industrial jobs, accounting for 8.4% of the state's manufacturing employment or 25,452 jobs, and is home to 440 plants. MNI reports Spartanburg ranks second in the state, home to 17,804 jobs and 254 plants. Columbia accounts for 288 plants employing 11,356 workers, while fourth-ranked Greer accounts for 9,455 jobs and 122 plants. Charleston is home to 215 plants employing 8,683.
   
Detailed profiles of South Carolina's 5,561 manufacturers and 376 industrial distributors can be found in the 2008 South Carolina Manufacturers Register, available in print for $99 and on CD-ROM from $155. Each profile provides up to 30 facts, including vital contact information (phone, web, e- mail), names and titles of 17,422 key executives, product(s) manufactured, annual sales, number of employees, and more.

Visitors to http://www.mnileads.com may generate custom company selections 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.