§1The market
The Fort Wayne, IN metropolitan statistical area had 5 private wood container and pallet manufacturing establishments (NAICS 321920) in the 2024 QCEW annual average, 4% of Indiana's 133. Among the 128 metro areas with at least five such plants, it ranks 114th by count.
That is down from 7 in 2020 (−28.6%).
BLS disclosed employment of 79 for 2023, with average annual pay of $42,791, against $49,762 statewide and $52,196 nationally.
5 sawmill establishments (NAICS 321113) were also counted in the metro in 2024.
Diesel in the Midwest (PADD 2) region averaged $6.344 a gallon in October 2026 (EIA), the freight context for deliveries here.
§2By year
| Year | Plants | Employment | Average pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 7 | not disclosed | not disclosed |
| 2021 | 5 | 76 | $37,637 |
| 2022 | 5 | 86 | $39,327 |
| 2023 | 5 | 79 | $42,791 |
| 2024 | 5 | not disclosed | not disclosed |
BLS had not published 2025 metro-area figures when this page was built; state pages carry 2025.
§3Buying here
With 5 plants, the Fort Wayne, IN area has a small local field; invite bidders from the wider state as well, and compare delivered cost, not price at the plant. An establishment is a location, not a company, so two plants may belong to one supplier.
Other metro areas in Indiana: Indianapolis, IN (21), Elkhart, IN (8), Evansville, IN (6), Bloomington, IN (5), South Bend, IN (5).