Advanced Manufacturing
Advanced Manufacturing includes operations that incorporate new technologies, production processes and systems to improve the manufacturing process. Further, it refers to those industries that are technology-intensive and employ a larger than average number of workers in research and development. Waco’s advanced manufacturing target includes aerospace and defense and companies that manufacture materials, transportation equipment, machinery, energy storage and electrical equipment and other components.
The Waco MSA manufacturing employment base represents approximately 13 percent of the workforce (16,000).
Manufacturing skill sets reflect Waco’s diverse and advanced industrial base including transportation equipment, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, electronic assembly, industrial equipment, building materials, plastic and steel manufacturers.
Area colleges supply a broad spectrum of workforce training. Baylor University’s top-rated business, entrepreneurship and engineering programs offer talent and research capacity. Texas State Technical College, headquartered in Waco, boasts Texas’ No. 1 precision production, manufacturing and engineering associate/certificate programs and is among the top 10 in the nation in awarding two-year technical engineering and computer science degrees.
That has helped to attract industry leaders to Greater Waco like Mars Wrigley Confectionery, AbbVie, Coca-Cola North America, Versalift, ZINKPOWER, and a host of smaller leading-edge manufacturers and suppliers.
Advanced Manufacturing Establishments
| Company | Services | Employees |
|---|---|---|
| Sanderson Farms, Inc. (Processing) | Food Processing | 1,200 |
| AbbVie | Pharmaceutical Manufacturing | 785 |
| Mars Wrigley Confectionery | Food Processing | 700 |
| Texas Materials | Concrete Products | 672 |
| Cargill Value Added Meats | Food Processing | 646 |
| Versalift – A Time Manufacturing Company | Aerial Lifts | 518 |
| Howmet Fastening Systems | Fastening Systems | 490 |
| Pilgrims | Food Processing | 480 |
| Coca-Cola Company | Beverage Manufacturing | 440 |
| Owens-Illinois | Glass Containers Manufacturing | 385 |
Advanced Manufacturing Suppliers
Manufacturing represents more than 14% of the Greater Waco economy – 1.5 times the State and National averages. As such, Greater Waco boasts a robust base of suppliers from machining, supply chain, packaging, recruiting to product development and design. Contact the Business Retention and Expansion team at the Chamber to connect to our robust manufacturing sector.
Advanced Manufacturing Transportation
Waco is easily accessible to many major interstate highways, ports, and air cargo transport via IH 35 and Union Pacific/Burlington Northern Sante Fe rail networks including:
Advanced Manufacturing Real Estate
More than 15,000 acres in 11 area business parks are available for manufacturing and related companies. See our Real Estate page for more information.
Search over 280 sites and buildings at WacoProspector.com.