Vermont Manufacturing Facts

VMEC has identified the following resources and compiled the following facts about Vermont and U.S. manufacturing of interest to our local manufacturers, the broader business community, VT Government Leaders, Legislators, students, citizens and job and career seekers.

These facts and resources all paint a very clear picture that underscores the vital importance of manufacturing to the Vermont and national economies. The creation of ‘value’ through a thriving and growing manufacturing sector is a proven road to economic prosperity.

Vermont Manufacturing Facts

To find the most up-to-date manufacturing facts as they relate to the Green Mtn. State, click on the Impact Report image to the right. This annual compilation includes:

Impact of VMEC in Vermont
Multiplier Impacts including Economic and Employment figures as they relate to manufacturing
VMEC Client Data and Impact
By the Numbers including GSP, employment, annual compensation, manufacturers served and employees trained in VT, strategy challenges breakdown
And much more!

National Manufacturing Facts and Information

National Institute of Standards and Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership’s (NIST MEP) mission is to enhance the productivity and technological performance of U.S. manufacturing. The MEP National Network comprises NIST MEP, the 51 MEP Centers located in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, the MEP Advisory Board, MEP Center boards, and the Foundation for Manufacturing Excellence, as well as over 1,450 trusted advisors and experts at approximately 430 MEP service locations, providing any U.S. manufacturer with access to resources they need to succeed. VMEC is the official representative of the MEP National Network in Vermont.

Distribution by Size of Vermont Manufacturers

Nearly all of Vermont’s manufacturers are considered Small-and Medium-Size Enterprises (“SMEs” or” SMMs”) with less than 500 employees. By federal definition*, a “large” manufacturer is considered an enterprise with >500 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) employees. Click on the pie chart image to the right to enhance its size and clarity.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2019
* MEP definition of manufacturing includes the NAICS codes beginning with 31 – 33 and 54171, 423510, 541330, 541380, 811310

Distribution of Vermont Manufacturing by NAICS Codes

Click on the table graph to the right to enhance its size and clarity. By industry:

311 – Food manufacturing
312 – Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing
313 – Textile mills
314 – Textile product mills
315 – Apparel manufacturing
316 – Leather and allied product manufacturing
321 – Wood product manufacturing
322 – Paper manufacturing
323 – Printing and related support activities
324 – Petroleum and coal products manufacturing
325 – Chemical manufacturing
326 – Plastics and rubber products manufacturing
327 – Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing
332 – Fabricated metal product manufacturing
333 – Machinery manufacturing
334 – Computer and electronic product manufacturing
335 – Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing
336 – Transportation equipment manufacturing
337 – Furniture and related product manufacturing
339 – Miscellaneous manufacturing
423510 – Metal service centers and other metal merchant wholesalers
541330 – Engineering services 541380 – Testing laboratories
54171 – Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences
811310 – Commercial and industrial machinery and equipment (except automotive and electronic) repair and maintenance

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2019

Distribution of Vermont’s Manufacturers – Rural vs. Urban

About 68% of Vermont manufacturers are in Rural (RUCC code 4-9) counties and about 32% in Urban counties, with Urban defined as “counties with a Rural-Urban Continuum Code of 1 to 3”. The majority of Vermont’s manufacturers, about 27%, are located in Chittenden County, followed by Washington and Windsor counties at approximately 12% each and Rutland County at 9%.

Other Resources for VT Manufacturing Data & Information

Facts about United States Manufacturing (June 2022)

The Facts about Manufacturing infographic contains industry, workforce and manufacturing data and statistics showing the critical role manufacturing plays in the U.S. economy.