Hiring by U.S. manufacturers since 2010 tops 1 million new jobs
American manufacturers are flexing their muscles again.
Industrial firms hired 31,000 people last month, the second biggest increase in four years. The first was a 44,000 gain in August. Over the past year manufacturers have added almost 200,000 new jobs. These companies now employ 12.5 million Americans.
Manufacturers have managed to add workers despite a growing shortage of skilled laborers. Speedier growth in the U.S. and the need to rebuild low inventories are increasing demand for manufactured goods. With all this growth, the biggest challenge for manufacturers is finding talent to fill those positions.