By Associated Press
Birmingham, AL – The latest figures show factory employment in Alabama is declining.
The Alabama Department of Industrial Relations says factories in the state employed 237,900 people in March, down from 238,800 in February. That's a drop from more than 254,000 jobs in March 2009.
Only textile and metal fabricating sectors gained jobs among manufacturers in Alabama in March. Big losers in Alabama's manufacturing sector include makers of wood products and electronic components.
Bob Allsbrook, chief economist at Birmingham-based Regions Bank, says factories that have reported hiring are probably rebuilding inventories from historic lows and don't expect a sustainable increase in demand.