Key Industries

Delaware Manufacturing Companies

Building Innovative Solutions to Deliver to the World

In Delaware, our combination of industry-leading companies, strategic location and robust infrastructure amount to one thing: one of the nation’s best states for manufacturing companies and logistics.

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Featured Testimonial

Cliff Grunstra Embraces Delaware as a Diverse “Untapped Gem” for Families and Businesses

Today, Delaware’s manufacturing sector is our state’s third-largest traded sector. Thanks to diverse companies such as DuPont, ILC Dover, and Agilent, manufacturing in Delaware spans a variety of industries, including chemicals, advanced materials, agriculture, bioscience, and more. Furthermore, our leadership in these industries has created deep supply chains that support the market entry and growth of new businesses.

Want to see how your business can thrive in the First State? Read on to learn more about manufacturing and logistics in Delaware.

Manufacturing and Logistics

Transportation equipment is one of Delaware’s largest manufacturing exports valued at almost $900 million, consisting of products like aircraft parts, aerospace parts, and automotive materials. Other manufacturing companies focus on products like electrical equipment manufacturing, structural metals, and paper products.

Some of the top Delaware manufacturing companies include:

Miller Metal Fabrication – a premier home-grown manufacturing company, provides state of the art (CAD) design, laser cutting, bending, machining, welding and assembly services, and
ILC Dover – a world leader in the innovative design and production of engineered products employing high-performance flexible materials.

Some of Delaware’s most innovative manufacturers intersect with other key industries in the state like chemistry and biosciences, like:

Agilent Technologies– a leader in life sciences, diagnostics, and applied chemicals.

Future of Manufacturing in Delaware

The modernized Coastal Zone Act is spurring economic growth in Delaware as it removes the restrictions on the existing industrial sites sitting abandoned or underutilized. The redevelopment of these properties is now possible. Delaware is both preparing and attracting a strong and skilled manufacturing workforce. Many Delaware manufacturers are working with Delaware Technical Community College’s workforce training department to develop future employees to handle the rigors of 21st-century advanced manufacturing.

Manufacturing Workforce and Job Growth

Manufacturing means good jobs and good wages. Delaware is a manufacturing-friendly state. More than 25,000 Delawareans and their families rely on manufacturing for jobs and income. With a steady increase in manufacturing jobs in the state, Delaware is committed to developing the next generation of manufacturers.

The top 5 manufacturing sectors leading the way in job growth are:

Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing
Pesticide, Fertilizer, and Other Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing
Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing
Basic Chemical Manufacturing
Other General-Purpose Machinery Manufacturing

Quick Fact

Delaware’s manufactured goods industry is worth nearly $5 billion

More than 94% of our state’s global exports come from manufacturing.
Quick Fact

Enstructure, a leading U.S. marine & logistics company, assumed operations of Port Wilmington in 2023.

Port Wilmington is strategically located on the Delaware River less than a quarter mile from I-495 with quick access to I-95, I-295, the New Jersey Turnpike, the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and Class-I rail service.
Quick Fact

Delaware is at the center of largest consumer market in the U.S.

There are more than 50 million people within 250 miles.
Quick Fact

Warehousing employment in Delaware nearly tripled during the past ten years

This segment of the logistics industry now accounts for nearly 5,000 jobs in the state.

Notable Employers

Agilent Technologies

DuPont

Gore

ILC Dover

M. Davis & Sons Inc.

Miller Metals

Siemens Healthineers

Trinity Logistics

Uzin

Why Delaware for Your Manufacturing Company

Manufacturing in Delaware accounts for more than 6% of the total output in the state. In 2018 alone, the state’s manufacturing companies exported $4.48 billion in manufactured goods. Manufacturing companies flourishing in Delaware see its competitive advantage over other states. Whether incorporating in Delaware or expanding operations, businesses find Delaware to be an ideal location.

Delaware is strategically located:

It is close to major airports, with international and domestic cargo capabilities
It is a major International port, four hours from the Atlantic Ocean
Delaware has well-connected roads and an efficient transportation system, I-95 in Northern Delaware is the most traveled interstate in the U.S.
The state is the First Foreign Trade Zone to receive approval with an Alternative Site Framework
There are freight rail services throughout the state
Delaware boasts of a very talented workforce with a great work ethic

There are a lot of opportunities for continuing manufacturing and advanced manufacturing businesses in the First State. When it comes to the manufacturing sector in Delaware, Rob Rider, CEO of O.A. Newton said it best:

“There is no better place to be in business than Delaware. What state can you make a phone call and speak to your Governor? What state can you run into every one of your legislators on a regular basis? What state can you call almost any one of the agencies and get immediate personal attention? … The people of Delaware are great! It’s still a laid back environment, it’s relaxed and people are moving here because they like the lifestyle.”