This industry is present in most, but not all, of Oregon's 36 counties, and is the predominant manufacturing industry in many counties. In 1998, Oregon accounted for just under 4 percent of the nation's total employment in the forest products manufacturing industry. The availability of inexpensive hydroelectric power in the Pacific Northwest has encouraged the presence of primary metals companies in Oregon. Many of these companies use large quantities of electricity to melt metals during the manufacturing process. Oregon's primary metals industry includes aluminum refineries, steel mills, and companies that make metal casts and extrusions.
Fabricated metals is the other half of the metals industry.
Oregon's fabricated metals industry includes companies that make tools, hardware and other metal items and companies that apply metal coatings to these items. The metals industry in Oregon is somewhat larger than would be expected by the size of the state's manufacturing industry. Oregon's total manufacturing employment equals 10 percent of the combined total manufacturing employment of California, Oregon and Washington, but its primary metals industry equals 21 percent of the primary metals industry employment in the three states. Transportation Equipment Oregon also has a large number and variety of transportation equipment manufacturers. Oregon companies manufacture custom motor coaches, travel trailers, boats, aircraft and rail cars.