One out of five manufacturing workers in the United States is employed by an international company. In fact, these companies have created 62 percent of all new U.S. manufacturing jobs over the past five years, underscoring the importance of international companies to America’s economic well-being.
Leading America’s foreign direct investment (FDI) manufacturing workforce are ten states:
1. South Dakota: South Dakota boasts the highest amount of manufacturing jobs as a percentage of total FDI jobs at 66 percent. Smithfield Foods, a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based WH Group, exemplifies the impact of FDI on the Mount Rushmore State’s manufacturing sector, recently adding 70 new jobs to the existing 3,600 U.S. workers employed at its Sioux Falls food production facility.
2. Michigan: Michigan ranks second in the nation, with 64 percent of all FDI jobs created in the state falling in the manufacturing sector. Samsung has significantly grown its manufacturing workforce in Auburn through a $60 million investment to establish a production plant. The South Korean-based company plans to hire more than 400 new U.S. manufacturing workers in the state to accommodate production at the new facility.
3. Nebraska: Nebraska’s FDI manufacturing employment makes up 63 percent of all jobs created by international companies in the state.
4. Arkansas: Trailing Nebraska closely, 62 percent of all FDI jobs in Arkansas are in the manufacturing sector.
5. Alabama: Alabama holds the fifth highest amount of manufacturing jobs as a percentage of total FDI jobs at 61 percent. Airbus, a Netherlands-based aerospace company, recently invested $300 million in Mobile to build a new assembly plant for production of the A220 jetliner. Airbus’ Alabama expansion is expected to create approximately 400 new manufacturing jobs.
6. Indiana: Nearly 58 percent of Indiana jobs created by international companies are in the manufacturing industry. With an investment of $15 million, Omen USA, a subsidiary of Israel-based Omen Casting Group, will add 21,000 square feet to its aluminum auto parts manufacturing facility in Richmond and create up to 200 new Hoosier jobs.
7. Kentucky: Kentucky’s portion of FDI manufacturing employment makes up 57 percent of all jobs created by international companies in the state. Pounds of Plastic Inc., a Canadian company, has contributed to Kentucky’s high percentage of FDI manufacturing jobs, investing $4.1 million to expand its production of custom polymers and thermoplastics for automotive customers and creating 54 additional full-time jobs in Owenton.
8. Iowa: At 55 percent, Iowa holds the eighth highest amount of manufacturing jobs as a percentage of total FDI jobs in the nation.
9. Ohio: In Ohio, 54 percent of all jobs provided by international companies are in the manufacturing sector.
10. South Carolina: Home to Germany-based BMW’s U.S. manufacturing headquarters, South Carolina ranks tenth on our list with more than half, 53 percent, of the state’s FDI jobs in the manufacturing sector.
