§1The market
The Lima, OH metropolitan statistical area had 5 private wood container and pallet manufacturing establishments (NAICS 321920) in the 2024 QCEW annual average, 3% of Ohio's 193. Among the 128 metro areas with at least five such plants, it ranks 119th by count.
That is down from 6 in 2020 (−16.7%).
BLS disclosed employment of 146 for 2024, with average annual pay of $36,901, against $50,930 statewide and $53,506 nationally.
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 | 6 | not disclosed | not disclosed |
| 2021 | 6 | not disclosed | not disclosed |
| 2022 | 6 | 147 | $38,261 |
| 2023 | 7 | 137 | $35,399 |
| 2024 | 5 | 146 | $36,901 |
BLS had not published 2025 metro-area figures when this page was built; state pages carry 2025.
§3Buying here
With 5 plants, the Lima, OH 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 Ohio: Cleveland, OH (32), Cincinnati, OH (26), Columbus, OH (22), Akron, OH (6), Canton, OH (6), Youngstown, OH (6), Toledo, OH (5), Dayton, OH (5).