Thousands of Nevada state jobs in the manufacturing industry were lost during the last year.

The 2010 Nevada Manufacturers Directory from Manufacturers’ News, Inc. found that industrial employment in Nevada decreased by 6.2 percent from October 2008 to October 2009. The state lost 3,970 industrial jobs and 115 manufacturing companies during that time.

That’s the biggest decrease in manufacturing jobs Nevada has seen since the report began keeping track seven years ago. The state is now home to 1,905 manufacturing companies employing 59,775 workers.

Throughout the industry, the furniture manufacturing sector lost the most jobs, as employment decreased by 23 percent. That was followed by rubber and plastics with a 14.1 percent decline; primary metals with a 13.4 percent decline; stone, clay and glass with a 12.5 percent decline; textiles and apparel with a 9.6 percent decline; lumber and wood with a 7.5 percent decline; and electronics with a 2.8 percent decline.

Fabricated metals products continues to serve as the largest industrial sector in Nevada with 5,640 jobs, a 2.3 percent decrease from last year. That’s followed by printing and publishing with 5,416 jobs, a 3.6 percent decrease, and industrial machinery and equipment with 4,104 jobs, a 4.9 percent decrease.

Las Vegas is home to the most manufacturing jobs in Nevada, employing 16,698 workers in the industry, a 4.3 percent decrease from last year. Reno employed 9,930 manufacturing workers, a 6 percent decrease; North Las Vegas employed 5,346 workers in the industry, the same as last year; Sparks employed 4,908 industrial workers, an 8.4 percent decrease; and Henderson employed 4,553 workers in the industry, a 3.7 percent decrease.

“As with the entire nation, the recession continues to affect Nevada’s industrial sectors, with industries related to the housing sector taking the biggest hit,” Tom Dubin, president of Manufacturers’ News Inc, said. “However, the state’s strong exports and favorable business climate should help lay the groundwork for recovery.”

From 2004 to 2008, Nevada’s exports increased by 110 percent, accounting for the 10th highest export rate in the country.