The labor market has seen improvement in the last couple of months. Job gains have exceeded expectations. One area that has seen growth has been the manufacturing area. Although numbers do not compare to levels of the past, it is still good news for the economy.

Manufacturing companies have added jobs in two consecutive years. Until last year, there had not been a single year when manufacturing employment rose since 1997. Institute for Supply Management has been surveying American manufacturers since 1948 and recently reported that its employment index for December was 55.1, the highest reading since June. Any number above 50 indicates that more companies say they are hiring than say they are reducing employment.

One area that has rebounded is car manufacturers. Ford motor company has remained strong and solvent even in the weak economy. Recently Chrysler announced it will add 1,250 jobs at two Detroit factories next year. The Jefferson North Assembly Plant will get 1,100 new workers and a third shift to help build a Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel model for the North America market. 150 workers will be added when Chrysler reopens the Conner Avenue factory to make a Street Racing Team version of the Dodge Viper muscle car. This is good news for Detroit which is struggling with 24 percent unemployment.

With globalization, manufacturing may not return to the powerhouse industry in this country that it was before. However, recent news does show that manufacturing in the United States is still resilient.