IDFA continues to demonstrate that the dairy industry has a powerful economic impact – $628 billion in total – on the American economy. Did you know that dairy also indirectly supports unique industries across the nation, like companies that repair and maintain industrial and commercial equipment?

Dairy companies, distributors and retailers support American tradespeople in a number of ways. More than 7,025 jobs at firms that repair and maintain machinery and equipment depend on spending by the dairy industry or dairy industry employees. This number includes 5,130 jobs held by people performing services directly for dairy manufacturers.

They repair and maintain mixing, packaging and warehouse equipment, as well as machinery like copy machines and printers. These jobs are the result of purchases directly paid for by dairy companies.

Almost 1,900 additional jobs for tradespeople working for equipment repair and maintenance firms are supported by dairy company and supplier employees that hire the firms to repair commercial-type equipment.

All told, the dairy industry creates $526.6 million in wages and more than $1.1 billion in economic impact for firms employing American tradespersons.

Dairy Delivers®

IDFA is sharing these deep dives into the data of Dairy Delivers®, its economic impact tool, to demonstrate dairy’s economic power and its ripple effect on other American industries.

Members with questions may contact Dave Carlin, IDFA senior vice president of legislative affairs and economic policy, at dcarlin@idfa.org.