Article: Sector cobbles jobless comeback ; New technology boosts productivity, reduces hiring needs

To cut costs when the economy tumbled, Peerless Precision Inc. invested in computerized equipment, partly to eliminate the use of costly subcontractors. Now that new orders are coming in, the equipment is allowing the Westfield machine shop to expand production without adding to its workforce of about 20.

"The bottom line is that by working with our employees, we've improved efficiency," said Larry Maier, the company president. "That's why we're still here. That's why we're having a good year."

Manufacturing in Massachusetts is rebounding from the deep recession, but as Peerless shows, the sector will be slow in recovering the 25,000 jobs it lost over the past two years. Even though ...

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