Massachusetts has a rich and diverse history in manufacturing. With its skilled workforce, access to cutting edge research, and a broad landscape of established companies, Massachusetts maintains an influential place within the national and global manufacturing community.

Massachusetts is where the American Industrial Revolution began in the 19 th Century. Today in the 21 st Century it is still a leader in this important sector with over 8,000 manufacturing establishments operating across the state.

  • Manufacturing is the 4 th largest employer in the Commonwealth
  • Only healthcare, retail trade, and the education sector employ more
  • Manufacturing employs more than all the hotels, restaurants, and bars in the state and 50,000 more than all professional & technical service industries
  • It employs 4 times as many as all of the state's biotechnology companies and two-thirds more workers than all the state's banks, brokerage houses, and insurance companies.

Today manufacturers in the state generate more than $40 billion in revenue and are responsible for a larger share of total state output than in 1997. Here in Massachusetts, manufacturing is a growth industry.

The products created by Massachusetts manufacturers reflect the diversity, innovation and education level of its workforce. We manufacture baseball gloves and golf balls; synthetic skin and bio-surgery devices; infrared sensors, sniper detection systems and radar equipment; ceramic components and high voltage cable assemblies; robotic welding systems and lighting fixtures; decorative glass, sailboats, and snow shovels; frozen seafood, salad dressings, dried cranberries, and cannoli shells.

No sector in Massachusetts and few in the nation are more productive.

  • Real output per worker has increased from $60,000 in 1997 to $133,600 in 2006
  • Since 1997, Massachusetts manufacturers have increased productivity twice as fast as the average manufacturer in the U.S.
  • Productivity growth in Massachusetts manufacturing averages 4 times productivity growth across all private sector industries in the Commonwealth

Manufacturers are proud of their products and secure in their markets because their customers admire the quality of the products they build, the service they offer, and the prices they charge.

There are Great Opportunities in Manufacturing here:

  • Because of expected retirements and continued strength in the manufacturing sector, it is likely that 100,000 or more jobs will need to be filled in this sector over the next ten years.
  • The average wage paid by Massachusetts manufacturers is 25 percent higher than the average annual wage in the state
  • At $65,000 a year, the average wage in manufacturing is higher than the average in construction, in real estate, government, education, and healthcare.
  • These good manufacturing jobs can be found throughout the Commonwealth … East and West, North and South
  • Over the next five years, 55% of manufacturers expect to expand their operations in Massachusetts
  • Over the next five years, 60% of manufacturers expect to add jobs to their Massachusetts operations

Manufacturing: It's All Here in Massachusetts

 

  • Manufacturing Support and Information

Learn more about manufacturing in Massachusetts by reading the study Staying Power: the Future of Manufacturing in Massachusetts. This comprehensive study details the many subsectors that make up Massachusetts' manufacturing and discusses the past, present, and future trends in manufacturing throughout the Commonwealth.

Powered by the Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM), BuyMass.org is a products and services database that provides contact information to manufacturing businesses throughout the state. Broken down by category to serve a wide range of industry sectors, many manufacturing businesses in a wide range of subsectors can be found here.

 

  • Industry Support

Investment tax credit for manufacturers
As a result of this initiative and the EDIP program, Massachusetts ranks in the lowest third of states in terms of tax burden to manufacturers.

Workforce Training Grants
With pressure to increase productivity and the rise of popularity of streamlining techniques (i.e., Lean Manufacturing Method), training is crucial for manufacturing businesses to stay ahead. There are some great examples of how companies have not only survived but grown as a result of our workforce training grants.

Permitting assistance
The Commonwealth will work closely with your company to make sure that permitting is timely and not prohibitive to your growth.

Customer Service
From dispute resolution between companies and municipalities to the facilitation of a company-saving acquisition, Massachusetts has worked hard to help keep company doors open and retain jobs.

Industry and Employment Associations

 

  • Massachusetts Manufacturing and Extension Partnership ( MassMEP)

Part of a nationwide network of technical, manufacturing and business specialists providing performance based training programs to area manufacturing companies that result in a direct impact to their bottom line.

 

  • Greater Boston Manufacturing Partnership ( GBMP)

A not-for-profit corporation whose sole focus is to help companies become more productive and competitive through Continuous Improvement Education in the form of Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing training programs.

 

  • Associated Industries of Massachusetts ( AIM)

An essential resource to not only manufacturing companies but other businesses throughout the state, providing government advocacy and policy assistance, business development and networking opportunities, and training and education services statewide.

 

  • Boston Tooling and Machining Association ( BTMA)

The BTMA serves many machining businesses, especially ones ranging from 2 to 200 employees. They provide their members with the services and information that will assist them in the successful operation of their tooling and machining facilities.

 

  • Commonwealth Corporation

An organization dedicated to workforce development throughout Massachusetts. Through programs and educational publications, Commonwealth Corp provides upward mobility pathways for youth and adults to prepare for high demand careers, in concert with state and regional partners.

 

  • Massachusetts Workforce Investment Board Association ( WIB)

The MWIBA is a business-led organization representing the 16 member regional workforce boards employers, representatives of labor, higher education, business and industry associations, economic development and workforce organizations, which provides leadership in workforce development in each region across the Commonwealth. It is a tremendous source of information for both job seekers and companies looking to hire.

Contact:
Rich Pellagrini, Director
Massachusetts Office of Business Development
10 Park Plaza, Suite 3730,
Boston, MA 02116
Phone: 617-973-8537
Fax: 617-973-8554
Email: Rich.Pellagrini@state.ma.us