Spring 2011 Southeastern Pennsylvania

Employment Demand Report

© 2011 DVIRC

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The DVIRC recently surveyed nearly 150 manufacturers to assess the number and type of job opportunities companies have now and are projected to have over the next 12-24 months.

This Employment Demand Report summarizes the results and trends identified from the responses. Surveys were administered online and through phone interviews, targeting all manufacturing firms with less than 500 employees.

The survey results confirm what has been reported in the media: manufacturers are indeed hiring and plan to continue to hire for the next couple of years. While the bulk of the positions available are in the production/maintenance category, as would be expected, the hiring activity documented in the survey covers all job classifications in these companies.

Please note the significant number of positions available in the “Other” category—further evidence of the changing make-up of employment in 21st Century manufacturing. For those looking for where good paying career oriented jobs are becoming available, manufacturing in Southeastern PA is one of those places.

Copies of this survey report have been distributed to the companies responding, to regional Workforce Investment Boards, to area Community Colleges, and to others engaged and interested in Workforce Education and Economic Development. DVIRC will bring together representatives from these organizations to plan a response to these important company needs. This, of course, will also directly involve the companies responding.

Thanks to everyone who helped to make this survey possible.

Introduction

DVIRC is an economic development organization established in 1988. We focus exclusively on the region’s manufacturing community to grow business value in four key areas: Consulting Services, STEM Talent Development, Training/Education and Executive Networking.

We believe growing business value improves the standard of living and quality of life for those that live and/or work in the region. Our Consulting Services practice includes a highly skilled, multi-disciplined team of content experts that provide results-driven top line growth and operational improvement services. In 2010, DVIRC generated over $80 million in value-added impact for our clients, and, we achieved a 4.8 out of 5.0 ranking in customer satisfaction. In addition to our services, we also assist manufacturers connect with regional, state and federal resources for a variety of business needs.

DVIRC is funded in part by the NIST/Manufacturing Extension Partnership and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through the Department of Community and Economic Development.

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Manufacturers from Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties responded to the survey. Bucks County had the highest representation and Delaware County the least.

Introduction

Survey Representation by County

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Respondents represent a broad range of manufacturing industries (80% of the NAICS codes are represented). The highest percentage came from Miscellaneous Manufacturing, Fabricated Metal and Plastics and Rubber Products; the lowest percentage came from Textile Product Mills.

Industries not represented include: • Beverage & Tobacco • Leather & Allied Product • Petroleum & Coal Products • Textile Mills

Industries Represented

Manufacturers By Industry

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Although a diverse group of industries were represented among the five counties, the industries most represented were Miscellaneous Manufacturing, Fabricated Metal Products, Plastics and Rubber Products and Primary Metal Manufacturing.

Industries Represented by County

Manufacturing Industry Bucks Chester Delaware Montgomery Philadelphia TOTALFood Manufacturing 2 1 1 2 6Textile Product Mills 2 1 1 5Apparel Manufacturing 1 1Wood Product Manufacturing 1 1Paper Manufacturing 1 1 1 3Printing & Related Support 3 3 3 1 1 11Chemical Manufacturing 1 1 1 3Plastics & Rubber Products Mfg. 7 3 1 5 16Nonmetallic Mineral Product Mfg. 1 1Primary Metal Manufacturing 6 1 3 1 11Fabricated Metal Product Mfg. 5 4 5 7 2 23Machinery Manufacturing 3 5 1 3 12Computer & Electronic Product 2 1 1 2 6Electrical Equipment Mfg. 2 1 1 1 2 7Transportation Equipment Mfg. 1 1Furniture & Related Product Mfg. 1 1 2Miscellaneous Manufacturing 9 5 12 4 30TOTAL 32 27 16 33 19 139

Industries Represented

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Employees Represented by a Union

84% of the companies surveyed were not represented by a Union.

Percent of Employees Represented by Union

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The number of full-time employees increased 36% over the past year.

This trend is consistent with the February 2011 report, Pennsylvania’s True Commonwealth: The State of Manufacturing - Challenges and Opportunities* where smaller companies are adding employees given their flexibility in adapting to changing markets.

Total Number of Employees in Tri-State Area (PA, NJ, DE)

Average Number of Employees Per Company Surveyed

Year Full-time Part-time Total2009 89 2 912010 65 2 67

Number of Employees in the Tri-State Area

*report available for download at www.dvirc.org

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Of the companies that participated in the survey, Chester County has the largest number of employees. Although Delaware County shows the greatest amount of growth over the past year.

Number of Full-Time Employees by County

Full-time Employees by County

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Employees by Functional Area

Number of Full-Time Employees by Functional Area

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86% of the companies polled have full-time positions they are currently trying to fill. Of those companies, “Other Positions” were in the most demand followed by CNC Machinist/Operators and Management Support.

Full-Time Current Vacancies

Other positions noted:

• Assemblers • Calibrators • SAP Integration• Entry level manufacturing • Welders • Information Technology Personnel• Lineman • Repair Technician

Of the companies surveyed, all counties are currently in need of full-time employees. Chester County has the greatest number of full-time vacancies. Delaware County has the least number of current full-time vacancies.

County Number of Full-time Vacancies Currently

Bucks 51Chester 144Delaware 31Montgomery 89Philadelphia 51TOTAL 366

Current Full-time Vacancies

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82% of the companies polled have indicated full-time vacancies in the next 12 months. This forecast represents a 28% increase in job growth over 2010. “Other Positions” were indicated in the most demand followed by CNC Machinist/Operators and Management Support. 18.5% of the other positions required were in Assembly.

Full-Time Vacancies Next 12 Months

Other positions noted:

• ASME Code Welding • Calibrators • Inside Sales • Entry level manufacturing • Fabrication • Research Associate• Lineman • Mechanic

All counties are forecasting growth of full-time employees in the next twelve months. Chester County has the greatest number of full-time vacancies forecasted, primarily in “Other Positions”. Delaware County has the least number of full-time vacancies forecasted.

County Number of Full-time Vacancies in next 12 months (2011)

Predicted Growth from Previous Year

Bucks 86 67%Chester 160 11%Delaware 36 16%Montgomery 119 34%Philadelphia 88 105%

Full-time Vacancies in Next 12 Months

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77% of the companies polled have indicated full-time vacancies in the next 24 months. This forecast represents a 21% increase in job growth from 2011. “Other Positions” were indicated to be in the most demand followed by CNC Machinist/Operators and Management Support. 21.2% of the other positions required were in Assembly.

Full-Time Vacancies Next 24 Months

Other positions noted:

• Entry level manufacturing • Lineman • Information Technology• Fabrication • Mechanic • SAP• Field Service Technician • Research Associate• Refrigeration Field Service Technician

All counties are forecasting growth of full-time employees in the next twenty-four months. Chester County has the greatest number of full-time vacancies forecasted, primarily CNC Machinists/Operators, Other Engineering, and Management Support.

County Number of Full-time Vacancies in next 24 months (2012)

Predicted Growth from Previous Year

Bucks 119 38%Chester 264 65%Delaware 55 16%Montgomery 94 -21%Philadelphia 86 52%

Forecasted Employment Opportunites

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52% of all those surveyed have problems recruiting talent. Nearly 40% indicated the biggest issue in recruiting is a lack of technical proficiency.

Some additional comments provided:• Lack work ethic• Willingness to work shift work, weekends & holidays• Can’t pass drug tests• Entitlement

Recruiting Issues

Recruiting Talent

57% of those surveyed utilize a temporary or contract service firm to fill employment vacancies. Of those that use a service, 40% have increased employment using these services over the past year.

Some additional comments provided:• We use a temporary to full time hiring process for production staff• Finding people with a work ethic and basic skills is difficult• Actually it has declined following level of sales• This option gets too expensive

Companies Utilizing Service Firms

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53% of those surveyed offer a formal training or professional development plan for their employees.

Some additional comments provided:• Pay for schooling• Union provides training• Joint apprentice training programs• On-the-job training• Training given on an as needed basis

Formal Training or Professional Development Plan for Employees

Workforce & Professional Development

52% of those companies surveyed responded to this question. Of those respondents, 70% have not created a skills gap analysis to assess their current workforce.

Conducted/Implemented a Skills Gap Analysis

Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center2905 Southampton Road, Philadelphia, PA 19154

The Navy Yard, Building 100 Innovation Center4801 S Broad St, Suite 100, Philadelphia, PA 19112

(215) 464-8550 / www.dvirc.org

DVIRC is funded in part by the NIST/Manufacturing Extension Partnership and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

through the Department of Community and Economic Development and by the U.S. Department of Commerce.