North Bay Business Journal

Employment in making durable goods such as electronics and nondurable goods such as wine and food in Sonoma, Solano, Napa, Marin, Mendocino and Lake counties has been climbing out of a slump for most of the past eight years, according to analysis of the latest state job figures.

SANTA ROSA — PNI Sensors Corporation has leased 13,671 square feet of industrial and office space at 2331 Circadian Way in the Santa Rosa Corporate Center that will become the new home of the firm’s research and manufacturing operations — and eventually all company staff groups.

More than 50 percent of North Bay manufacturers predicted growth above 15 percent during the next five years. By one estimate, they’ll need to hire and train at least 3,000 new skilled and college-trained workers. But skilled technicians are hard to come by — especially after several years of recession, and it won’t get any easier as time goes by and seasoned workers retire.

UKIAH — Pamela’s Products has completed a $1 million building makeover at the firm’s new consolidated bakery located at 1 Carousel Lane.