Industrial employment in Maine decreased by 1.5 percent in 2008, according to the 2009 Maine Manufacturers Register, an annual directory of state industry published by Manufacturers' News Inc.

Maine lost 2.6 percent of its industrial jobs in 2007.

Maine lost 1,135 industrial jobs in 2008. The state has 2,527 manufacturers employing 76,236 workers, according to the publication.

Manufacturers' News reported that leather and leather production and paper and allied products sectors saw the heaviest job losses.

But the publication predicted Maine would not take a big hit in lost manufacturing jobs this year.

"Maine's stronghold in cutting-edge defense manufacturing as well as mainstays such as food and lumber should continue to help the state hold its own through the downturn," said Tom Dubin, president of Manufacturers' News.

Copyright 2008 Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.