The industrial employment sectors continue to expand in the Columbus region, posting an annual net gain of 13,500 jobs according to the latest data available from the BLS.

1. Industrial employment trends (12-month change)
Columbus
Industrial employment update
Metro Columbus . May 2015
The Columbus industrial market’s recent vacancy oscillations will soon come
to an end, as new supply will slowly begin to raise vacancy levels. While net
absorption has wobbled over the past three years, it has trended up, causing
vacancy levels to slowly decline below 7.0 percent, yet a number of
speculative projects we expect will cause vacancy to tick upwards.
Industrial employment sectors, meanwhile, have remained sluggish so far this
year, signaling only modest demand growth from local tenants over coming
quarters. However, Columbus will continue to see increased demand from
large, nationally-focused tenants based on the market’s sizeable inventory,
low warehouse costs, and available tax incentives as evidenced with the local
industrial expansions tracked by JLL on page two . The region also provides
many logistical advantages and is expected to see continued jobs in the
transportation sector, with demand favoring big box product with logistics-
friendly amenities such as cross dock capability and direct rail access.
Industrial real estate implications
Sources: Jones Lang LaSalle Research, Bureau of Labor Statistics
• The Columbus metro continued on its run of expansion by recently
adding 21,500 payrolls, annually, according to the latest figures from
the BLS. Total non-farm employment now sits at roughly 1.02 million
jobs. Meanwhile, unemployment currently stands at 4.4 percent, a
decrease of 90 basis points, year-over-year.
• The industrial employment sectors continue to expand in the Columbus
region, posting an annual net gain of 13,500 jobs according to the latest
data available from the BLS. Jobs growth was largely led by the trade,
transportation and utilities sector which added 7,000 annually, followed
by the mining, logging and construction sectors which 3,200 jobs.
• Total U.S. nonfarm employment increased by 223,000 jobs in April, a
healthy uptick after a disappointing March where job gains totaled just
85,000. The strong April results will help lower concerns among
economists and Wall Street of a hiring slowdown.
• U.S. unemployment decreased 10 basis points to 5.4 percent, its lowest
mark since May 2008. Wages also continued to trend in the right
direction in April, increasing 2.2 percent year-over-year.
Total jobs vs. Unemployment rate
Columbus
0.0%
2.0%
4.0%
6.0%
8.0%
10.0%
12.0%
750,000
800,000
850,000
900,000
950,000
1,000,000
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Peak: 996,834 jobs
2.8%
Total Employment
Unemployment
(4.0)
0.0
4.0
8.0
12.0
16.0
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Mining, Logging & Construction Trade, Transportation & Utilities Manufacturing Other Services
Job growth/loss by sector (12-month change)
Columbus
-1,000
-1,000
-800
1,100
2,000
2,200
2,200
3,200
6,600
7,000
-2000 0 2000 4000 6000 8000
Information
Financial Activities
Government
Manufacturing
Leisure & Hospitality
Professional & Business Services
Other Services
Mining and Logging
Educational & Health Services
Trade, Transportation & Utilities
Number of Jobs
4.4%Columbus unemployment
2.2%Columbus12-month job growth
5.4%U.S. unemployment
2.2%U.S. 12-month job growth

2. © 2015 Jones Lang LaSalle IP, Inc. All rights reserved.
All information contained herein is from sources deemed
reliable; however, no representation or warranty is made
to the accuracy thereof.
JLL Americas Research • Columbus Industrial Employment Update 2
News on the street
Columbus businesses expanding, contracting, etc.
G&J Pepsi-Cola Bottlers Inc. Ι Food Wholesalers: Expanding
A local Pepsi bottler plans to invest $12 million on an expansion and create 14 new jobs. Columbus is offering G&J Pepsi-Cola Bottlers Inc. a tax incentive for the
project. G&J, the biggest family owned and operated Pepsi bottler in the U.S., plans to expand its production facility at 1241 Gibbard Ave. The company will spend
the $12 million for building improvements, machinery and equipment, and to start a new production line to make its own plastic bottles.
Hirschvogel Inc. Ι Automobile Parts Manufacturing: Expanding
A German auto supplier is planning a $50.3 million expansion on the south side near where Columbus Castings announced a big expansion last fall. The city will
examine tax incentives for Hirschvogel Inc., which wants to add 65,000 square feet to its operation at 2230 S. Third St. and 37 jobs to its current staff of 322. The
145,000-square-foot complex opened in 1988 and makes cold- and warm-forged steel and aluminum parts for auto manufacturers and Tier One auto suppliers.
Manifold & Phalor Ι Architectural & Structural Metals Manufacturing: Expanding
The Manifold & Phalor metal fabricating and machining company in Canal Winchester plans to add 25 jobs after a $3.3 million expansion of its facility.
The news comes three weeks after medical cart producer Capsa Solutions relocated and expanded into the city’s Canal Pointe Industry & Commerce Park. Manifold
& Phalor plans to double its production space of 28,000 square feet as part of the expansion and add 7,000 square feet in office space.
Siemens Energy Inc. Ι Motor & Generator Manufacturing: Contracting
A Siemens Energy Inc. (NYSE: SI) plant in Mount Vernon is cutting up to 240 jobs as turbulent prices in the oil and gas industry have impacted another Central Ohio
business. The plant, makes lightweight natural gas turbines and compressor equipment used by power generators and oil and gas companies. The facility has about
900 employees and is one of the Knox County city’s major employers.
Volvo Group North America LLC Ι Truck & Bus Manufacturing: Contracting
Volvo Group North America LLC is shedding 300 workers at a Central Ohio distribution center, the company said in a filing with the Ohio Department of Job and
Family Services. The cuts are permanent and employees will not be relocated. Volvo said the facility in Lewis Center will employ 19 after the job cuts take place
between June 26 and December 25. The facility is one of six U.S. distribution centers for Volvo truck parts.
Worthington Industries Inc. Ι Steel Service Centers & Other Metal Wholesalers: Contracting
Worthington Industries Inc. (NYSE: WOR) is cutting 555 employees from its work force, including more than 100 in Ohio, and closing a facility in South Carolina.
The Columbus steel processor recently announced that 245 employees in its oil and gas division and 310 employees in its Florence, South Carolina, engineered
cabs facility will lose their jobs as part of its closure. Almost a third of Worthington’s oil and gas work force will lose their jobs as the industry continues to struggle.
Cody Brooks
Research Analyst
Great Lakes Region
tel +1 614 460 4444
Cody.Brooks@am.jll.com
65 E State Street,
Suite 550
Columbus, OH 43215
www.jll.com/columbus
March 2013 March 2014 March 2015
Total Non-farm
Employment
972,100
2.0%
993,500
2.2%
1,015,000
2.2%
Unemployment Rate 6.5% 5.3% 4.4%
Columbus Supersectors March 2013 March 2014 March 2015
Mining, Logging and Construction 28,600 0.0% 31,700 10.8% 34,900 10.1%
Manufacturing 68,700 2.5% 69,000 0.4% 70,100 1.6%
Trade, Transportation, & Utilities 182,700 0.6% 185,200 1.4% 192,200 3.8%
Information 18,300 8.9% 18,100 -1.1% 17,100 -5.5%
Financial Activities 75,100 3.0% 75,100 0.0% 74,100 -1.3%
Professional & Business Services 159,300 2.4% 169,500 6.4% 171,700 1.3%
Educational & Health Services 139,700 1.7% 145,000 3.8% 151,600 4.6%
Leisure & Hospitality 93,200 3.2% 95,700 2.7% 97,700 2.1%
Other Services 37,600 3.9% 38,600 2.7% 40,800 5.7%
Government 165,300 -0.7% 165,600 0.2% 164,800 -0.5%
Employment statistics
Columbus
Industry employment stratification
Columbus
Trade, transportation
and Utilities,
192,200, 19%
Professional and
Business Services,
171,700, 17%
Government,
164,800, 16%
Educational and Health
Services,
151,600, 15%
Leisure and Hospitality,
97,700, 10%
Financial Activities,
74,100, 7%
Manufacturing,
70,100, 7%
Other Services,
40,800, 4%
Mining, Logging and
construction,
34,900, 3%
Information,
17,100, 2%
Andrew Batson
Senior Research Analyst
Great Lakes Region
tel +1 216 937 4374
Andrew.Batson@am.jll.com
127 Public Square,
Suite 2410
Cleveland, OH 44114
www.jll.com/cleveland