Report: Manufacturing Going Gangbusters

It’s no secret that manufacturing jobs have been dwindling nationwide since the latter part of the 20th century. But, the Houston metro is bucking that trend. According to a report released by the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University, Houston’s manufacturing jobs currently exceed their 1990s levels. In fact, following each recession since 1990, Houston-area manufacturing jobs actually recovered and expanded.

So, what gives? Well, the Real Estate Center pointed out that Houston’s manufacturing economy supplies the oil and gas industry with machinery and equipment. The cluster of upstream and downstream energy firms creates a manufacturing base.

The question, of course, is how the 2014 oil bust will impact manufacturing employment. Research economist Luis B. Torres indicated that oil prices will have an impact, while manufacturers will move forward with technologies requiring fewer workers, but that means more machinery and auxiliary products will be developed.

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