Pasadena, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/05/2011 -- The manufacturing sector is picking up again, especially in the Midwest which saw an upswing in manufacturing activity.

Data from the Institute for Supply Management-Chicago said that the business barometer went up to 61.1 for June, an increase of almost five points from May when it was 56.6. The Midwest region was helped by the fact that it is the hub of the auto industry which picked up in June.

The upbeat scenario for factories in the Midwest was also confirmed by a survey from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. The federal bank too confirmed the increase in factory production in June. The Chicago Purchasing Managers Index's survey also confirmed the increase in new orders and more production in factories. Their survey results show that Chicago area manufacturers were doing well again.

The Midwest is not the only region benefiting from increased manufacturing ability. In North Carolina's Buncombe County, part of the Asheville metro area, Canada's Linamar Corp is setting up base. The firm will invest around $125 million in the former Volvo plant where it will manufacture truck parts and heavy equipment.

The plant is expected to start production by November end and is expected to hire around 400 people. The company will also be hosting a job fair for management positions next week. The average salary at the plant will be $39,750 per year.

Jobs in the manufacturing sector are increasing nationwide. ManufacturingCrossing has found around 19,000 jobs in the sector. ManufacturingCrossing is a job aggregator site for the manufacturing industry.