Above: A look inside Volvo Group Trucks' facility in Hagerstown, Maryland (Source: Volvo Group)
As a prime location for 3,400+ manufacturing companies generating over 172,000 jobs, the Maryland/DC region offers many opportunities. The state’s major seaport in Baltimore allows for the easy receipt of materials and shipping of finished goods. Maryland’s proximity to Washington, D.C., gives its technical and aerospace corporations a considerable advantage in applying for contracts and securing government funding.
This article will highlight current trends and statistics in Maryland’s industrial sector. It will also showcase Maryland’s largest manufacturers by number of employees.
Looking for industrial sales leads in Maryland? Learn more about the Maryland/DC Manufacturing Industry Database
According to MNI, which compiles the comprehensive statistics that power IndustrySelect, Maryland/DC is currently home to 3,407 manufacturing companies that employ 172,405 workers. This includes 195 Washington D.C.manufacturers and their 18,200 workers. MNI reports the top manufacturing cities in Maryland include:
• Baltimore (26,009 jobs)
• Hunt Valley (8,924 jobs)
• Linthicum (8,060 jobs)
• Gaithersburg (7,199 jobs)
• Hanover (6,557 jobs)
Linthicum provides the largest number of aerospace jobs, and telecommunications jobs center in Hanover. Health care and pharmaceutical companies boost the economies of Gaithersburg and Sparks, while garments are among Baltimore’s many industries.
Related: Top 10 U.S. Cities for Manufacturing
Chemicals and allied products rank as Maryland/DC’s top manufacturing sector, providing 13% of its jobs. Electronics and other electric equipment account for 12% of employment, and printing and publishing are 11%. Industrial machinery and equipment tie with food and kindred products at 10% each.
MNI statistics indicate that executives in Maryland/DC total 14,668. Of these, 2,112 hold the position of president, 1,354 serve as vice president, 1,241 own or partner in companies, and 1,209 work in sales, marketing and purchasing.
Related: Top 10 U.S. States for Manufacturing
IndustrySelect’s advanced criteria list ownership, distribution and other crucial prospecting data. A sample of the information available to subscribers about Maryland’s industrial plants shows:
• 1% are women-owned.
• 9% are publicly owned.
• 10% import raw materials.
• 22% distribute their products internationally.
Now that we’ve presented a statewide view, take a look at the top manufacturers in Maryland.
Company | Employees | City | State |
---|---|---|---|
Northrop Grumman Corp. | 8,000 | Linthicum | MD |
Ciena Corp. | 4,500 | Hanover | MD |
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP | 3,500 | Gaithersburg | MD |
Becton, Dickinson & Co. | 3,000 | Hunt Valley | MD |
BD Diagnostic Systems | 2,000 | Sparks | MD |
Under Armour, Inc. | 2,000 | Baltimore | MD |
Emergent BioSolutions, Inc. | 1,800 | Gaithersburg | MD |
Volvo Group North America, LLC | 1,750 | Hagerstown | MD |
Textron Systems Corp. | 1,400 | Hunt Valley | MD |
Hughes Network Systems, LLC | 1,210 | Germantown | MD |
1. Northrup Grumman Corp. (Linthicum)
Linthicum houses the Mission Systems Division of Northrup Grumman. The division supplies a wide array of technologies. Its offerings include battle management and cyber solutions. Mission Systems sells in the U.S. and overseas. The Linthicum facility employs 8,000 workers.
2. Ciena Corp. (Hanover)
Ciena Corp. was founded in 1992, and its 4,500 employees supply telecommunications networking equipment and software. The Baltimore Sun described the company as “ the world’s biggest player in optical connectivity.” In 2020, the company reported revenues of $3.5 billion.
3. AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP (Gaithersburg)
Cutting-edge laboratories fill AstraZeneca's Gaithersburg facility. The company promotes working together and across disciplines among its 3,500 employees. AstraZeneca embraces sustainability and uses an ISO 5001 energy management system. The Gaithersburg location devotes $1 billion annually to R&D.
4. Beckton, Dickinson & Co. (Hunt Valley)
Beckton, Dickinson & Co., also known as BD, is a medical technology company headquartered in Hunt Valley, Maryland, employing 3,000. With a strong presence in the healthcare industry, BD focuses on providing innovative solutions and products to improve medical diagnostics, drug delivery systems, and advanced research.
5. BD Diagnostic Systems (Sparks)
Founded 125 years ago, BD Diagnostic Systems strives to advance the world of health. BD’s 2,000 employees dedicate themselves to modern solutions. As testing for infectious diseases becomes more vital, BD has launched a new diagnostic platform. The company is also expanding a blood collection partnership.
6. Under Armour, Inc. (Baltimore)
Founded in 1997, sports equipment company Under Armour, with 2,000 employees, manufactures footwear and casual and sports apparel. The company reported 2019 revenues of $5.27 billion. Under Armour’s many subsidiaries include MapMyFitness and Dome Corp.
7. Emergent BioSolutions, Inc. (Gaithersburg)
The 1,800 employees of Emergent BioSolutions strive to deliver solutions to public health hazards. The company produces vaccines and therapeutics. Emergent BioSolutions also works to combat opioid addiction.
8. Volvo Group Trucks (Hagerstown)
With 1,750 employees, Volvo Group Trucks engineers and produces diesel vehicle parts. The company’s customers include Mack Truck. This group connects all operations on a single campus.
9. Textron Systems Corp. (Hunt Valley)
Textron Systems Corp began in 1955 as an offshoot of Avco, United Industrial Corporations. The 1,400 employees produce small unmanned aircraft systems and other military needs. Subsidiaries include Overwatch Systems Ltd. and Howe and Howe Inc.
10. Hughes Network Systems, LLC (Germantown)
The 1,210 employees of Hughes Network Systems deliver software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) products, digital signage and employee training. The company tailors SD-WAN and signage solutions to their customers’ needs.
Prospecting beyond Maryland? Check out our other state news.
If you’re interested in doing business with manufacturers, IndustrySelect’s database of 460,000 U.S. companies is your manufacturer data resource. An IndustrySelect subscription can put you in direct contact with Maryland’s 4,600+ industrial companies and 15,000+ executives. Subscribers can select up to 40 data points on any manufacturing company in the U.S. to help identify or prequalify leads. To make your first call the right call, IndustrySelect’s company profiles include the contact information for hard-to-find executive decision-makers at the top manufacturing companies in Maryland. Try a free demo today!
Editor's Note: This article was originally published in May 2022. It is updated annually with new statistics.