Manufacturing Sector Summary

The manufacturing sector uses machinery and industrial production scale to create goods for businesses and consumers. While this sector often conjures images of factories producing parts and equipment for other large businesses, individual consumers also enjoy the products of manufacturing in the food, clothing, and furniture they buy.

One of the most well-known food manufacturing business in the country, The J. M. Smucker Company, was started in 1897 in Orrville by Jerome Monroe Smucker. Tired of the creamery business, Smucker bought a modern cider mill. Soon, the cider business took off at a promising rate. In 1921, the company was incorporated, and in 1959, it went public, listing 165,000 common shares. The J. M. Smucker Company continues to grow and produce a variety of products, including familiar brands such as Folgers, Jif, Crisco, Pillsbury, and the Eagle Brand.

Wayne County also is the home to several manufacturers of industrial equipment, such as Rayco Manufacturing, producers of environmental equipment for the tree and landscape industry, and Arti Flex, makers of products for the automotive industry.

According to the 2015 Data USA: for Wayne County, the manufacturing industry is the most common industry in Wayne County, Ohio listing 23.1% or 12,563 employees.