Gers, a progressive industry

 

Industry, with 5 604 companies, among which

• 2 706 in the trade sector
• 1 876 in services
• and 1 022 in the industry sector, small and medium size industries

represents 12% of employment within the Department.

Farming tradition in Gers is present even in this sector: about half of salaried employees work for food industries (48%) with a steady growth.

After a 7.7% decrease between 1991 and 1997, industrial employment expanded in 1998.

Distribution of industrial activity sectors:

Salaried employees in industry (in %)	Midi- Pyrénées	Gers
Intermediate goods	33,1	17,3
Capital goods	27,9	12,1
Food industry	15,2	46,8
Consumer goods	14,7	16,2
Automobile	1,7	2,3
Energy	7,4	5,3

Employment distribution by sector (in %)	Midi- Pyrénées	Gers
Agriculture	7,7	20,6
Industry	16	11,8
Construction	6,4	6,4
Tertiary	69,9	61,2

Prevailing activities:

• lagribusiness (meat, farm poultry, ice-creams, foie gras, wines and Armagnac…)
• wood industry and furniture manufacturing
• metal frames and metal works
• plastics
• data processing, data communications, electronics
• aeronautics
• printing and cardboard articles
• clothes