Manufacturing experienced a very productive quarter of employment changes adding 1945 for a gain of 1.0%. Increases of this magnitude have not been seen since fourth quarter of 1997. Consistently growth has occurred in Electrical Machinery (36) and this quarter was no exception with the sector adding 710. Continued demand for Electronic Components & Accessories caused the majority of the increase. Employment in Food Products (20) rose by 410. The largest subsector increase occurred in Sugar & Confectionery Products up by 114 due to an earlier than normal hiring for seasonal candy production. Instruments (38) added 388 employees over the previous quarter. Laboratory Apparatus & Analytical, Optical, Measuring & Controlling Instruments generated the largest contribution to the sector employment increase due to expansions. Transportation Equipment (37) suffered the largest loss dropping 275 employees. Small layoffs in a number of businesses in Motor Vehicles & Motor Vehicle Equipment caused a loss of 158. Cutbacks in Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts caused an additional loss of 117. Layoffs at a drug manufacturing firm contributed to the loss of 101 in Chemicals (28).
ANNUAL
Manufacturing employment took a noticeable upturn growing 1% over third quarter a year ago and adding 2060 employees. The largest increasing sector was Electrical Machinery (36) up 1758 employees. Strong increases in the manufacturing of Electronic Components & Accessories this quarter coupled with yearlong growth generated most of the sector increase. Fabricated Metals (34) reported the second largest sector increase rising by 890 employees. Its most active subsector was Fabricated Structural Metal Products, which added 334 due to small expansions occurring in a variety and number of businesses. Employment in Stone-Clay-Glass (32) rose by 487 over the year. Heavy demand for ready-mixed concrete, concrete brick and blocks and stone veneer drove growth in this sector. The largest loss occurred in Transportation Equipment (37) down 969 employees. Most of the loss resulted from yearlong cutbacks in Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts. Non-Electrical Machinery (35) dropped by 763 employees. Layoffs by two companies classified in Computer & Office Equipment made up 613of the loss and layoffs in Construction, Mining & Materials Handling Machinery & Equipment dropped another 220.
Colorado Employment and Wages (ES202) Third Quarter 2000
