By the end of August 2007 there were 5.3 million people employed by companies (at least 50 employees) in the goods producing industry. According to the Federal Statistical Office this corresponds to an increase by about 99.600 people or 1.9% as compared to August 2006. The number of hours worked amounted to 667 million in August thereby exceeding july´s number by 3.2%. Gross salaries and wages totalled 17.1 billion Euros (4.3% more than last year).
Taking a look at the most important economic sectors the number of employees grew most in the metall product industry (+5.7%) and in mechanical engineering (+4.5%). Falling numbers were registered in the motor vehicle and spare parts thereof producing industry (-0.3%) as well as the food industry (-0.4%). 