Manufacturing is one of the largest contributors to the U.S. economy, employing over 12 million workers and adding trillions of dollars to the national GDP. Here are five surprising facts about manufacturing that highlight its impact on jobs, the economy, and worker well-being.

When you work in manufacturing, you get to see some really neat things. Take us at Zekelman Industries—being the largest independent tubular products producer in North America, all of the tubular products we manufacture are formed into a round shape first. So even that square HSS section you installed in your latest project actually started as a round tube. Here are five more of my favorite facts on manufacturing that you should know:

Nine percent of the U.S. workforce is related to manufacturing

With over 12 million manufacturing workers in the U.S., most individuals are bound to know someone who works in the manufacturing field. In the steel industry alone, one steel job supports seven other jobs—including logistics.

Manufacturing delivers a strong return on investment

For every dollar that is spent in manufacturing, another $1.40 is added to the economy. That’s quite a return on value. Not even your 401K plan gives you a 40% return on the money you spend—but manufacturing can. Return on investment isn’t just monetary—there is also a sense of pride knowing you produced an item that will be consumed further down the supply chain in various applications.

Manufacturing is a nation of its own

Did you know that manufacturing contributed $2.1 trillion to the United States GDP in 2014? If manufacturing was its own sovereign nation, it would be the ninth largest economy in the world.

Manufacturing has a robust job market

Manufacturing jobs are expected to grow over the next decade—likely to the tune of 3.5 million. These well-paying, highly skilled production positions will be a necessity to fill as manufacturing continues to push the boundaries, providing better products with tighter production tolerances than ever before.

At Zekelman Industries, we take manufacturing seriously. We can service your needs through one of our 15 strategic locations across North America. We will continue to offer innovative products, such as ASTM A1085, that are second to none.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many people work in manufacturing in the United States?
More than 12 million people work in manufacturing across the United States, accounting for roughly nine percent of the total workforce. In the steel industry, each job supports an estimated seven additional jobs, including logistics.

How much does manufacturing contribute to the U.S. economy?
Manufacturing contributed $2.1 trillion to the U.S. GDP in 2014, and for every dollar spent in manufacturing, an additional $1.40 is added to the economy. If manufacturing were its own country, it would rank as the ninth largest economy in the world.

Is manufacturing a good career choice?
Manufacturing offers well-paying, highly skilled positions with strong benefits, including health insurance eligibility for more than 90% of workers—well above the national average of 79%. With an estimated 3.5 million jobs expected over the next decade, the sector offers strong long-term career prospects.

Source: http://www.nam.org/newsroom/facts-about-manufacturing/