GREATER GRAND RAPIDS MANUFACTURING LANDSCAPE
Manufacturing Jobs (2025) : 116,528 Manufacturing Gross Regional Product (2024) : $18.4B
Percent of Total Jobs in Manufacturing (2025) : 18.4% Manufacturing Share of Total Gross Regional Product: 24%
Note on the Data: This report uses the Grand Rapids Metropolitan Statistical Area (Kent, Ottawa, Barry, Ionia, and Montcalm counties) as the primary geography unless otherwise noted. Retention call data from The Right Place encompasses the organization’s 2024 service area (Kent, Ionia, Montcalm, Newaygo, Lake, Mecosta, Oceana, and Mason counties). The data are presented in the following: a ten-year range, 2019 to present (pre-COVID), updated from 2022 data in previous reports, and comparisons between 2023 and 2024. Ranges are chosen to best communicate the topic discussed, past reports, data availability and other factors.
Executive Summary
Manufacturing is the backbone of Greater Grand Rapids’ economy, driving innovation, employment, and economic prosperity. As the industry evolves, regional manufacturers are adapting to shifting workforce dynamics, economic challenges, and the increasing role of advanced technology in production. The regional labor market for manufacturers is stabilizing as hiring slows and workforce needs shift. In 2024, talent attraction was no longer the top barrier to growth, with fewer manufacturers citing recruitment issues and more investing in workforce training. At the same time, manufacturers showed fortitude by continuing to grow and thrive through an uncertain 2024. Though sales concerns have emerged as the most often cited challenge by manufacturers in Greater Grand Rapids, many companies forecast stable or growing revenues and are planning expansions. Meanwhile, manufacturers in Greater Grand Rapids continue to embrace advanced technologies. The shift toward automation, system integration, and robotics is reshaping the region’s manufacturing landscape by driving efficiency and increasing productivity. Greater Grand Rapids’ manufacturing sector remains strong and continues to prove its ability to grow through challenges. This report provides key insights to help businesses navigate the evolving landscape and plan for the future.
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