New Hampshire Needs to Work on Logistics

For the second consecutive year, NH received a B for manufacturing and F logistics in the 2016 Manufacturing and Logistics Report prepared by Ball State’s Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) in Indiana. The report looks at states' advanced manufacturing initiatives and how each ranks amongst its peers in several areas of the economy that underlie the success of manufacturing and logistics. The report assigns grades in different categories.

New Hampshire scored well in manufacturing initiatives (B) and human capital (A) but got an F in logistics and a D in  sector diversification.

Advanced manufacturing is defined by the Brookings Institution as an industry sector with high levels of STEM-related occupations and research and development investment. Using Brookings Institution’s definition, CBER looked at each state’s advanced manufacturing employment as a share of total manufacturing employment in 2013.

Data shows that nationally STEM (science, technology, engineering and Mathematics) and white-collar jobs are growing in the advanced manufacturing sector, while blue-collar occupations have declined.

“These data underscore the importance of talent development efforts with a focus on educational attainment,” Hicks says. “In the long run, a well-educated and ready workforce matters more than any other single factor in the health of advanced manufacturing firms.”