Women have long played a vital role in U.S. manufacturing, from wartime production efforts to leading some of today’s most innovative industrial companies. While the industry remains male-dominated, women-led manufacturers are making their mark across a range of sectors, from aerospace and automotive to food production and pharmaceuticals.
Today, we’re highlighting the top women-owned and women-led manufacturing companies in the U.S., showcasing the businesses that are driving innovation, creating jobs, and shaping the future of American industry.
Changing the Perception of Women in Manufacturing
Other than the iconic - and fictional - Rosie the Riveter, few Americans actually know many women who work in the manufacturing industry. According to a Deloitte study commissioned by the Manufacturing Institute, women comprise only 29 percent of the manufacturing workforce.
While the outdated perception of manufacturing as dirty, dark, and dangerous still lingers, numerous initiatives are working to change that image and attract more women to the field. Organizations like The Manufacturing Institute’s Women Make America Initiative actively promote the role of women in manufacturing by recognizing female leaders, providing mentorship programs, and fostering industry-wide awareness.
Additionally, STEM education and outreach programs play a key role in engaging young women early. Efforts such as Girls Who Code, FIRST Robotics, and Women in Manufacturing (WiM) provide hands-on learning opportunities, scholarships, and networking events to encourage careers in engineering, technology, and advanced manufacturing.
Manufacturers themselves are also stepping up, implementing inclusive hiring practices, leadership development programs, and workplace policies that support work-life balance and career growth for women. Companies like Boeing, General Motors, and Siemens have launched initiatives to recruit and retain more female employees, recognizing that diverse teams drive innovation and help close the industry’s growing skills gap.
By shifting outdated perceptions and fostering a more inclusive workforce, these initiatives aim to not only increase female representation but also strengthen the future of American manufacturing.
Key Facts & Statistics on Woman-Owned Manufacturing
According to MNI's advanced criteria available to IndustrySelect subscribers in 2024, roughly 2 percent of the 363,000 manufacturers in the United States are women-owned or led, encompassing 6,272 companies. 31% of women-led manufacturers are located in the U.S. South and 30% in the Midwest. The remainder are evenly divided between the East Coast (19%) and Pacific/Mountain region (19%).
Related: [INFOGRAPHIC] Key Facts and Statistics on Women-Owned Manufacturing Companies
14% of these companies import raw materials, while 31% distribute their products internationally. 20% of women-owned manufacturing companies are minority-owned, far exceeding the average among all manufacturers of one percent.
Next, we'll explore the largest women-led companies in the U.S.
Top 10 Woman-Led Manufacturers in the U.S.
| Company | City | State | Employees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Young Living Essential Oils | Lehi | UT | 2,000 |
| Quaker Window Products, Inc. | Freeburg | MO | 1,500 |
| MNP Corp. | Utica | MI | 1,200 |
| Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corp. | West Columbia | SC | 1,000 |
| Amy's Kitchen, Inc. | Petaluma | CA | 860 |
| Ole Mexican Foods, Inc. | Norcross | GA | 850 |
| Sweet Street Desserts | Reading | PA | 850 |
| Kulite Semiconductor Products, Inc. | Leonia | NJ | 800 |
| L. & J.G. Stickley, Inc. | Manlius | NY | 800 |
| Marvin Engineering Co., Inc. | Inglewood | CA | 800 |
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About the Top Woman-Led Manufacturers in the U.S.
Above: Veronica Moreno, Founder and President of Ole Mexican Foods in Norcross, Georgia. Photo Credit: https://olemex.com/our-story/
1. Young Living Essential Oils (Lehi, UT)
"Seed to Seal" is more than a slogan for Young Living Essential Oils in Lehi, Utah. It represents the commitment of the founders and all 2,000 employees to bringing the finest quality essential oils to market by monitoring the entire process through its farms and distilleries.
2. Quaker Window Products, Inc. (Freeburg, MO)
Quaker Window Products blends old-world charm with cutting edge technology to create stunning windows and doors for both commercial and residential projects. Its 1,500 craftspeople in Freeburg, Missouri, work with wood, vinyl and aluminum to ensure the perfect fit for each project.
3. MNP Corp. (Utica, MI)
MNP is a major fastener manufacturer, delivering high-quality fasteners to manufacturers around the world for 50 years. A certified Women’s Business Enterprise, MNP won the prestigious GM Supplier of the Year award for 2019.
4. Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corp. (West Columbia, SC)
Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation is a leading woman-owned manufacturer specializing in generic respiratory medications and 503B outsourcing services. Founded in 1997, Nephron is renowned for its innovative approach to sterile manufacturing, ensuring patients have access to safe, effective, and affordable healthcare solutions. The company operates from an expansive, state-of-the-art facility that spans over 840,000 square feet and is recognized for its advanced blow-fill-seal (BFS) technology. This technology allows Nephron to efficiently produce billions of doses of inhalation products annually, addressing persistent drug shortages in the United States
5. Amy’s Kitchen (Petaluma, CA)
Founded in 1987 by Rachel Berliner and her husband Andy, Amy’s Kitchen is named for their daughter Amy. Ms. Berliner was inspired to start the company when seeking to make healthy foods while pregnant with Amy. Starting with pot pies they sold locally, Amy’s Kitchen has grown to employ several thousand employees at several plants across the U.S. with revenues of $500 million. Their Petaluma location operates as the company’s headquarters, employing 860 employees.
6. Ole Mexican Foods (Norcross, GA)
Family recipes handed down for generations form the basis of Ole Mexican Foods, Inc.'s success. Its 884 "family members" understand that good food draws people together, whether at their headquarters in Norcross, Georgia, or anywhere else in the world.
Food is truly a family affair. Ole Mexican Foods, Inc.'s founder, Veronica Moreno, works alongside her husband, who heads the manufacturing division, and her two sons, who serve as company presidents in procurement and marketing, guiding the 850 on-site employees in Norcross, Georgia.
7. Sweet Street Desserts (Reading, PA)
Just because it tastes good does not mean that it cannot also be good for you. Sweet Street Desserts in Reading, Pennsylvania, eliminated GMOs and artificial flavorings and uses only hormone-free dairy in its delectable desserts.
The 850 artisans employed at Sweet Street Desserts are committed to proving that naturally sourced ingredients make the finest finished products.
8. Kulite Semiconductor Products (Leonia, NJ)
Always focused on the future, Kulite Semiconductor Products, Inc. promotes science, technology, engineering and mathematics in its home community of Leonia, New Jersey, through its innovative Leonia Academy of Science. As a world-class semiconductor company, Kulite knows that the students entering the academy may graduate to join its dedicated 800-person workforce.
9. L. & J.G. Stickley, Inc. (Malinus, NY)
Founded by Gustav Stickley in 1900, this family-owned operation is a legend in U.S. furniture history and fundamental to the American Arts and Crafts movement, bringing Mission furniture to the American market. Today, led by CEO Aminy Audi, this company has endured as a quality U.S. furniture manufacturer.
Employing 800, this Malinus, NY location serves as the company’s headquarters and produces solid oak, cherry, mahogany & upholstered furniture.
10. Marvin Engineering Co., Inc. (Inglewood, CA)
Founded by Marvin Gussman in 1963, Marvin Engineering Co., Inc. has established itself as a leader in the aerospace and defense industry. With a commitment to excellence and innovation, the company specializes in the design and manufacturing of essential aircraft components, including missile launchers and armament systems. As a certified Women-Owned Small Business, led by CEO Wendy Marvin, the company takes pride in its diverse workforce and dedication to supporting the U.S. military.
About this data: The data provided in this article was provided by MNI, comiler and publisher of business profiles of the nation's 360,000 manufacturers since 1912. MNI data powers IndustryNet, the industrial marketplace for purchasing, procurement, and advertising, and IndustrySelect, the industrial database for sales, marketing, recruiting and research.
Editor's Note: This post was originally published in March of 2018. It is updated annually to reflect new statistics, trends, and woman-owned companies.
