Manufacturing in the Midwest has been inconsistent between states, with some leading the charge and becoming hotbeds for the industry and others struggling to keep up.

Ohio's manufacturing market is slowly recovering after taking a massive hit from the recession, but its growth is significantly below other states in the region. Indiana, Kentucky and Michigan have all seen far greater success, having been able to create more jobs in the sector than Ohio. 

Currently 12.8 percent of Ohio residents are employed in manufacturing, according to a report in the Columbus Dispatch. This is substantially less than its mark in 2000, when the industry was much stronger. 

"It's been a miserable decade, to say the least, particularly when it comes to Ohio manufacturing," said Karl Kuykendall, an IHS economist, in an interview with the news source.

"We know when we look in the rearview mirror, the pain that we felt was real," added Eric Burkland, president of the Ohio Manufacturers' Association.

Ohio has added 55,000 jobs in the past three years, but its growth is still significantly below its neighboring states. In the case of Indiana, the market may be moving quickly in a positive direction, but it can only succeed based on the strength of local manufacturers. 

If businesses in the area are not able to make adjustments to keep up with industrial growth, they will not succeed. And, as neighboring states like Ohio continue their slow march toward a full recovery, Indiana manufacturers run the risk of losing out to Ohio-based competitors if they aren't properly equipped with the right tools.

Working with an Indiana software manufacturing solutions provider can help local companies obtain the systems needed to ensure they keep growing as other states continue their efforts to improve.