IKEA USA Raises Hourly Pay Once Again
IKEA

CONSHOKEN, PA -  IKEA is raising the hourly minimum wage for its workers to $11.87, up 10  percent from $10.76 current minium. U.S. workers for the Swedish furniture giant will average $15.45. In June 2014 IKEA boosted pay 17 percent.

The increase comes as IKEA reaches the 30th anniversary of opening its first U.S. store in Plymouth Meeting, PA. There are 40 IKEA stores in the U.S.,which now represents 12 percent of IKEA.s worldwide business. “Back in 1985, when IKEA U.S. opened its first store in Plymouth, PA, few people in the U.S. knew how to pronounce IKEA, how to assemble flat pack furniture, or what a LACK table was,” said Lars Petersson, IKEA US President.

IKEA finanical advisors Ernst & Young says the global furniture giant directly or indirectly supports 36,500 U.S. jobs; it employs 15,034 jobs directly (10,500 in its retail stores); and 21,201 indirectly.  IKEA total economic contribution in the past five years as was $5.4 billion. Investment last year in the U.S. was $658 million. THe company says 18 U.S. suppliers in 11 states manufacture for IKEA.    

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About the author
Bill Esler | ConfSenior Editor

Bill wrote for WoodworkingNetwork.com, FDMC and Closets & Organized Storage magazines. 

Bill's background includes more than 10 years in print manufacturing management, followed by more than 30 years in business reporting on industrial manufacturing in the forest products industries, including printing and packaging at American Printer (Features Editor) and Graphic Arts Monthly (Editor in Chief) magazines; and in secondary wood manufacturing for WoodworkingNetwork.com.

Bill was deeply involved with the launches of the Woodworking Network Leadership Forum, and the 40 Under 40 Awards programs. He currently reports on technology and business trends and develops conference programs.

In addition to his work as a journalist, Bill supports efforts to expand and improve educational opportunities in the manufacturing sectors, including 10 years on the Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation; six years with the U.S. WoodLinks; and currently on the Woodwork Career Alliance Education Committee. He is also supports the Greater West Town Training Partnership Woodworking Program, which has trained more than 950 adults for industrial wood manufacturing careers. 

Bill volunteers for Foinse Research Station, a biological field station staddling the border of Ireland and Northern Ireland, one of more than 200 members of the Organization of Biological Field Stations.