One company is helping to create more manufacturing jobs in Rhode Island.

CrimzonRose, a jewelry manufacturing company based in North Providence, recently announced that it plans to hire 60 workers for jobs in the state. The creation of the additional jobs are possible because CrimzonRose recently acquired Erica Lyons Inc., a company based in Florida.

According to an article by The Providence Journal, Susan Lyons, the creative force behind Erica Lyons Inc., and a staff of about 30 workers will remain in Florida, while the distribution and warehouse operation in the state will close down and those functions will be transferred to Rhode Island. Despite the added jobs in Rhode Island, the company’s purchase of Erica Lyons resulted in about 75 Florida employees losing their jobs.

(more…)

One company’s plan to relocate will result in the loss of several Rhode Island manufacturing jobs.

American Power Conversion recently announced that it plans to move its manufacturing and distribution operations from West Warick, RI, to Middletown, Pa. That move will eliminate 75 Rhode Island jobs. While the company’s manufacturing plant will close by July, its corporate headquarters will stay in West Kingston, RI.

It is thought that 100 jobs in all will be impacted, including 75 positions eliminated and the remainder moved. Employees who are laid off will be offered a severance package, outplacement assistance and transition support. The company’s non-manufacturing employees will be transfered to the West Kingston facility, according to an article by The Providence Journal.

(more…)

The State of Rhode Island currently has the highest unemployment rate in the country, and the loss of Rhode Island manufacturing jobs is only adding to what some are calling a “blue-collar” recession.

During September 2008, according to the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, the state had an unemployment rate of 8.8 percent. Total non-farm employment came in at 478,200 workers, down from 479,500 during August and a decrease of 2.6 percent from last year. The manufacturing industry employed 47,400 workers, down from 47,600 during August and a decrease of 6.5 percent from last year.

Job losses in other blue-collar industries, such as office and construction jobs, also are adding to the problem. During September, Rhode Island’s construction industry employed 20,800 workers, down from 21,000 during August and a decrease of 3.3 percent from last year. The state’s professional and business services industry employed 53,800 during September, down from 53,900 during August and a decrease of 2.2 percent from last year.

(more…)