Berks County Industry
and Manufacturing
History of Industry and
Manufacturing in Berks County
In his 1889 School History of Berks County in Pennsylvania Morton L. Montgomery wrote about the early history of industries in Berks County:
“There were many industries in the several districts of the county, in their early history. Blacksmith-shops and wheelwright-shops were conducted in every community, being necessary for the accommodation of the settlers. They were not large, for only a few individuals worked together - mostly master-workman and his apprentice. Grist-mills for flour and feed were situated along all the large streams. The Welsh were mechanics who conducted their trades in small factories along the Wyomissing. Rope-makers were common in every section, ropes and cords being largely used in the daily affairs of life. This industry was conducted for many years by individuals at their homes ; but improved machinery and steam caused its decline, and small ropewalks were compelled to discontinue. Carpenters and builders were numerous. They were finished workmen, preparing every article out of wood by hand. Some of the old buildings, still in a good state of preservation, attest the excellence of their workmanship. Doors, windows, and frames of all kinds used in building operations were hand-made. This custom amongst them continued till the introduction of the planing-mill about 1835, and then it began to pass away. The country saw-mill, run by water-power, was active then in preparing lumber ; but great steam mills in the lumber regions have caused them to become less and less active. Great rafts of logs are no longer towed down the canals to Reading, especially the Union Canal from the Susquehanna River, to afford employment to saw-mills. The railroads deliver finished lumber instead. Every community had a weaver, who conducted his business at his home. He wove carpets and coverlets (plain and fancy) ; and linen and cotton stuffs for domestic use. He did not carry a large stock on hand ; he manufactured articles to order. And so, it was with the shoemaker and tradesmen of various kinds. Fulling-mills, paper-mills, oil-mills, and distilling-mills were conducted for cloths, paper, oil, and whiskey; but they were limited in capacity. Before the Revolution, in each division of the county, there were iron industries, especially in the lower portion. They were scattered many miles from one another. All were located along strong streams which afforded constant water-power, and in the midst of thickly-wooded territory which furnished an inexhaustible supply of charcoal. The greater number were east of the Schuylkill. Four forges and two furnaces were carried on in the county before 1752. The first forge was erected in 1717, and the first furnace in 1720; and these are believed to have been the earliest in Pennsylvania. The iron-masters of the county comprise many men distinguished for their enterprise, success, and wealth.”
The 19th and early 20th century saw more industries grow in Berks County producing iron and steel, textiles, baskets and pottery, batteries, automobiles and automobile parts, as well as large-scale cigar companies, breweries, bakeries, and candy-makers. Some of these industries are still active although others are now part of our history.
The Meet Greater Reading website includes these statistics on industries in Berks County in the 21st century:
“Manufacturing is a thriving industry in Greater Reading, Pennsylvania with a significant multiplier effect that supports a growing supply chain, jobs, and additional sectors. The manufacturing sector in Greater Reading touts:
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500+ companies
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30,000+ employees – the largest sector by employment and 17% of total employment in Berks County
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$4.8 Billion GDP – the largest sector by GDP and 22% of Berks County’s annual GDP
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Location Quotient (LQ)* = 2.09
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Strong Manufacturing Sub-Sectors Include:
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Primary Metal – LQ: 9.10
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Electric/Electronics – LQ: 4.75
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Plastics & Rubber Products – LQ: 2.31
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Food – LQ: 1.73
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The manufacturing industry is diverse – from batteries, to plastics, to gymnastics apparel, to food – Greater Reading has it all.”
