This document discusses the importance of the manufacturing industry to the US economy. It provides facts about recent trends in manufacturing, including that (1) the US has become more attractive for reshoring due to cheap natural gas, with chemicals and metals seeing the most reshoring, (2) the largest metro areas expanding manufacturing are Houston, Seattle, and Oklahoma City, and (3) manufacturing contributes $2.09 trillion to the economy and has the highest multiplier effect of any sector.

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Few realize the impact the manufacturing industry has on the U.S. economy—it is truly a
dynamic sector. Not only is manufacturing important for jobs and production, but the
vitality of this sector is essential to meeting national challenges, including rebuilding U.S.
infrastructure, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and lowering the nation’s reliance
on fossil fuels. Here are some interesting facts about the industry you may not know.
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To Reshore or Offshore—That Is the Question
The U.S. has become an increasingly attractive place to be due to its
cheap and plentiful natural gas supply. In 2016, it is expected that the
greatest reshoring efforts will occur in industries like chemicals and
metal, both primary manufacturing and fabrication due to their reliance
on natural gas as a raw material.
Business Is Booming in These Boomtowns
The large metro areas with the most momentum in expanding their
manufacturing sectors include Houston, Texas; Seattle, Washington; and
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They are also generating the most jobs.
Food and Beverage Is Where It's At
This industry has the largest percentage of the 12 million jobs in
manufacturing in the United States.
The Multiplier Effect
In the most recent data, manufacturers contributed $2.09 trillion to the
economy. For every $1.00 spent in manufacturing, another $1.37 is
added to the economy, giving the industry the highest multiplier effect
of any economic sector.
The Internet of Everything
The Internet of Things (IoT) is changing the manufacturing industry.
Factories and plants that are connected to the Internet are more efficient,
productive and smarter than their non-connected counterparts. Despite
this fact, however, only 10 percent of industrial operations are currently
using the connected enterprise model.
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