§1The market
The Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metropolitan statistical area had 26 private wood container and pallet manufacturing establishments (NAICS 321920) in the 2024 QCEW annual average, 26% of Michigan's 100. Among the 128 metro areas with at least five such plants, it ranks 17th by count.
That is up from 17 in 2020 (+52.9%).
BLS disclosed employment of 818 for 2023, with average annual pay of $67,078, against $62,136 statewide and $52,196 nationally.
12 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 | 17 | not disclosed | not disclosed |
| 2021 | 20 | not disclosed | not disclosed |
| 2022 | 22 | 727 | $75,989 |
| 2023 | 25 | 818 | $67,078 |
| 2024 | 26 | not disclosed | not disclosed |
BLS had not published 2025 metro-area figures when this page was built; state pages carry 2025.
§3Buying here
With 26 plants, the Grand Rapids, MI area can usually support a local RFQ with several bidders inside a short delivery radius. An establishment is a location, not a company, so two plants may belong to one supplier.
Other metro areas in Michigan: Detroit, MI (21).
Larger metro clusters in neighbouring states: Cleveland, OH (32), Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN (26), Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI (25).