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TechTrends e-Newsletter 1 February 2004 Page 2 of 5 <br /> Survey respondents reporting the least usage of advanced manufacturing and <br /> information technologies had average wage levels nearly 20 percentage points lower <br /> . than SMEs overall, and almost 30 points lower than their respective industry <br /> averages. Technology-intensive companies, on the other hand, paid their employees <br /> • 5 percent better than their respective industry average, and 15 percent higher than <br /> SMEs overall, whose average wages lag behind industry standards by roughly 10 <br /> percent. The wage gap extends to the entry level, where technology-intensive <br /> companies pay a premium of 10-15 percent on starting wages relative to less <br /> technologically advanced peers. What accounts for this wage gap? Not surprisingly, <br /> higher-tech, higher-paying companies employ more highly skilled workers both in <br /> • "white collar" professional and technical jobs, but also on the shop floor in the form <br /> • of skilled or precision production workers. <br /> 0 <br /> The bottom line: Investments in technology allow SMEs to reap substantial benefits. <br /> And in an environment of growing competition from low-wage locations such as <br /> China, businesses seeking to remain viable in places like Minnesota have few <br /> • choices but to improve productivity through technology and capital investment. <br /> While technology alone won't ensure the viability and security of all manufacturing <br /> jobs and businesses, those that do invest in it will almost certainly be more <br /> technology-intensive, higher-skilled, and better paying. <br /> 4 <br /> 1 For more information on MTI's Technology Adoption Survey, contact Greg Schrock, <br /> MTI's research associate, at 612-373-2973 or 800-325-3073, <br /> gschrock(amntech.orq. <br /> • TechNotes <br /> ''; Technology business news from around Minnesota. <br /> After three years of decline, Minnesota's manufacturing sector added 700 new jobs <br /> in December on a seasonally adjusted basis. During the second half of 2003, nearly <br /> 3,300 manufacturing jobs were added in the state. According to the state <br /> employment department, the increase in jobs can be attributed to a rise in U.S. <br /> exports; between the third quarters of 2002 and 2003, Minnesota's manufacturing <br /> '0 exports increased 17.2 percent to $2.7 billion. <br /> 0 <br /> The Blandin Foundation Board of Trustees has awarded more than $4.16 million to <br /> launch and operate a $1 million development fund that would promote high-speed <br /> broadband technologies in rural Minnesota communities. According to the Board, <br /> 0 the Foundation will raise $750,000 from philanthropic, public, and industrial <br /> 1H; sources-including telecommunications companies-to support the effort. <br /> H. <br /> '" Hutchinson-based Hutchinson Technology, a computer component manufacturer, <br /> recently reported that it added nearly 300 jobs during the last fiscal year. The <br /> company also noted that it plans to hire an additional 22 engineers and 18 <br /> technicians. <br /> According to the American Wind Energy Association, Minnesota added more new <br /> wind-driven electricity generation equipment than any other state in 2003; the new <br /> windmills will generate a total of 226 megawatts. Last year, total generating <br /> • capacity in the U.S. increased by 1,687 megawatts-enough to serve 425,000 <br /> homes, reports the association. <br /> http://www.minnesotatechnology.org/publications/techtrends/2004/February/printVersion.... 2/23/2004 <br />