For every one job created in manufacturing, at least two to three jobs are created to support the sector. Further, manufacturing firms create regional wealth by producing a product that is exported to other states and countries. This attracts additional funds to the region — creating business, individual and community wealth. Because of this ripple effect, manufacturing firms have a deeper impact on the state of the economy than most other industries.
California is the number one state for manufacturing jobs, firms and output – accounting for 11.7 percent of the total U. S. output, and employing 9 percent of the U. S. manufacturing workforce. California manufacturing generates $229.9 billion, more than any other state. Manufacturing is California’s most export-intensive activity contributing significantly to California’s $159 billion in exports in 2011. Overall, manufacturing exports represent 9.4% ($120 billion in goods) of California’s GDP, and computers and electronic products constitute 29.3% of the state’s total manufacturing exports. More than one-fifth (21.9%) of all manufacturing workers in California directly depend on exports for their jobs.
Since January 2001, the manufacturing sector lost 33% of its job base, down from 1.86 million jobs in 2001 to 1.237 million jobs in 2019. In 2010, the manufacturing sector began adding employment, regaining 7,900 jobs. California exports have also increased — up from $104 billion of manufactured goods in 2009 to $124 billion in 2010.
A 2011 report by the Center for Applied Competitive Technologies (CACT) at El Camino College and the Center Of Excellence (COE) of the Los Rios Community College District identified the following 17 cluster industries in California:
- Aerospace Manufacturing
- Biotechnology, Medical Devices, & Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
- Building Materials Manufacturing
- Chemical Manufacturing
- Computers/Electronics Manufacturing
- Dental Equipment, Supplies & Laboratories Manufacturing
- Fashion/Clothing Manufacturing
- Furniture Manufacturing
- Household Products Manufacturing
- Machinery Manufacturing
- Metals Manufacturing
- Paper Products Manufacturing
- Petroleum Manufacturing
- Plastic Products Manufacturing
- Printing and Publishing
- Transportation Manufacturing
The report states, “With the exception of food manufacturing, biotechnology, dental equipment, and petroleum, nearly every manufacturing cluster in California has shed jobs over the last five years [2006-2011.] Building materials lost the most jobs with a decline of 32%, followed by printing (22%), and computers/electronics (10%).”
Challenges
The report states that the “manufacturing sector must address a variety of challenges, from navigating a complex regulatory environment to developing strategies to compete with low cost economics. There are a number of factors that have inhibited the manufacturing sector’s ability to compete locally and internationally.” Some of these challenges are:
- California’s regulatory climate is difficult, expensive and time consuming to navigate
- Higher health care expenditures compared to countries where health care is paid for by general tax revenues
- Higher salaries and other benefits, such as paid leave, insurance, and retirement plans
- Higher costs associated with litigation claims
- Higher costs associated with environmental compliance;
- Higher corporate tax rates than most other countries (the United States’ tax rate is 40%, the second highest tax rate among major trading partners.)
Opportunities
Competition from low-cost economies, such as China, India, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam, is one of the major challenges faced by the manufacturing sector. However, the total cost of outsourcing to other countries is often miscalculated. According to the Reshore Initiative, the true cost of manufacturing outside of the United States does not include costs associated with:
- National policy issues (trade negotiations, etc.)
- Changes in currency exchange rates
- Intellectual Property theft
- Supply chain disruptions
- Lengthy delivery times
- Traveling to the manufacturing site to assess and resolving production issues
Further, in the last few years many countries have started to raise their prices to adjust for increases in wages and higher transportation/fuel expenses. By examining the total cost of outsourcing, the Reshore Initiative argues that hiring local production firms is just as price sensitive as hiring firms from low-cost economies. Also, there are several benefits to working local, such as:
- Improved quality and consistency of inputs
- Ability to create just-in-time operations that reduce inventory and shipping costs and improve business-to-business relations
- Intellectual property security
- Faster delivery to customers
As this viewpoint has gained popularity, it has started to shift production back to the United States, creating jobs and wealth in the process. By 2013, the Reshoring Initiative estimated that about 80,000 jobs returned to the United States through reshoring, about 15% of the nationwide increase of 526,000 manufacturing jobs since 2010.
If you are in the southern California region, you can find out more about how we can help the manufacturing industry thrive in California by attending the “Manufacturing in the Golden State – Making California Thrive” economic summit on Wednesday, March 19, 2014, 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM.
This leadership summit will explore how to grow manufacturing jobs and businesses in California. National experts and local business owners will present the best solutions to help craft a successful growth strategy.
Where: Brea Community Center, 1 Civic Center Circle, Brea, CA 92821
Keynote Speaker: Dan DiMicco, Chairman Emeritus, Nucor Steel Corporation
Speakers/Topics:
* Dr. Greg Autry – Senior Economist, Coalition for a Prosperous America; Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship, Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California (Trade Reform)
* Pat Choate – Economist; Author, “Saving Capitalism: Keeping America Strong” (Manufacturing Strategy)
* Mike Dolan – Legislative Representative, International Brotherhood of Teamsters (Currency Manipulation) (invited)
* Michael Stumo – CEO, Coalition for a Prosperous America (Tax Reform)
Panel of local business leaders (partial listing):
* Michele Nash-Hoff – Chair, Coalition for a Prosperous America CA Chapter; President, ElectroFab Sales (Overview of California Manufacturing)
*Dana Mitchell, Advanced Mold Technology Inc.
* Nick Ventura – Co Founder, Venley by Youth Monument
Presented by: Senator Mark Wyland, in partnership with the Coalition for a Prosperous America and other regional businesses and associations.
Cost: Early Bird Rate $25 through March 5, 2014; $35 thereafter (Includes light breakfast and full lunch)
Sponsors:
City of Brea
ATE Corporation (ATEC)
California Manufacturing Technology Consulting
Industrial Metal Supply Company
Event partners
APICS – Orange County Chapter
Brea Chamber of Commerce
Corona Chamber of Commerce
Cypress Chamber of Commerce
Fountain Valley Chamber of Commerce
Fullerton Chamber of Commerce
Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce
Global Innovative Systems
La Habra Chamber
PlanetTogether
Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Orange County SBDC
Riverside County Manufacturers & Exporters Association
West Orange County Regional Chamber
Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce
Register today for this important event.
For more information, or if you are unable to pay online, contact Sara Haimowitz (202-688-5145, sara@prosperousamerica.org).
Also: click here to find out about becoming an event sponsor!
Thanks,
Michele Nash-Hoff, Chair
California Chapter of the Coalition for a Prosperous America