Since last quarter Wholesale Trade has added 764 new employees for a gain of 0.7%. The largest share of growth occurred in Durable Goods (50) up 506 employees. Within Durable Goods the largest subsector gain occurred in Electrical Goods. Electrical Goods gained 296 employees, most from expansions and short-term projects in Electronic Parts & Equipment, which includes the distribution of satellite dishes, modems and telephone equipment. Professional & Commercial Equipment & Supplies added 118 employees with most of its increase from expansions in the distribution of computers, computer peripheral equipment and software. Hardware, Plumbing & Heating Equipment & Supplies added 81 employees. More than half of the gain occurred as a result of temporary expansions with plumbing and heating suppliers. Dropping by 85 employees, Machinery Equipment & Supplies reported the largest quarterly subsector loss. Losses were mainly seasonal driven by cutbacks in establishments involved in the distribution of agricultural machinery and equipment. Nondurable Goods (51) added 259 employees. Drugs, Drug Proprietaries & Druggists Sundries grew by 170 employees. More than half of the growth occurred in one firm. A short- term increase of 116 was reported in livestock buying and marketing. Misc Nondurable Goods declined by 107 workers. Seasonal cutbacks in the distribution of farm supplies accounted for most of the loss.
ANNUAL
Annual growth in Wholesale Trade registered 1.0% adding 1028 employees. Employment in Durable Goods (50) rose by 1213 employees while employment in Nondurable Goods (51) fell by 184. The largest over-the-year subsector gain in Durable Goods occurred in Professional & Commercial Equipment & Supplies up 906 employees. Gains were primarily related to increases in the distribution of computers, peripheral equipment and software. Lumber & Other Construction Materials added 482 employees. Expansions accounted for more than half of the increase and the remainder was generated from SIC changes. Electrical Goods added 447 employees. SIC losses of over 300 were overcome by large gains associated with the distribution of electronic equipment such as semiconductors, telephone equipment and satellite dishes. Motor Vehicle & Motor Vehicle Parts & Supplies suffered the largest annual loss down 662 employees. The lack of growth has not mitigated the effect of SIC changes in January when 566 were moved out of the subsector. Nondurable Goods (51) continued to show an employment loss due to the large amount of SIC changes that occurred in January. The healthiest subsector was Drug, Drug Proprietaries & Druggist Sundries up 545 employees. Petroleum & Petroleum Products continues to reflect the largest loss down 487 employees. Losses occurred as a result of January SIC changes when 416 were reclassified.
Colorado Employment and Wages (ES202) Fourth Quarter 1999
