Transportation Equipment

Businesses: 44

Employees: 2,450

2006 employee wages: $80.5 million

Example companies: SRC Automotive Inc., Executive Coach Builders, Springfield Limousine Sales

John Bumgarner, owner of Springfield Limousine Sales, said limousine manufacturing has a long history in southwest Missouri.

“Because of the number of years people have been making limousines here, there’s a pretty deep labor pool with experience,” Bumgarner said, noting also that Springfield’s central location nationally is conducive to doing business all over the country.

While he doesn’t cite work-force challenges, Bumgarner said the cost of doing business presents obstacles for his company.

“The cost of everything in the last few years has skyrocketed,” Bumgarner said. “Metal materials, health insurance, workers’ compensation insurance, everything is going up. But I think the challenges that apply to limousine manufacturers apply to everyone else, too.”