Southern California is losing manufacturing plants despite a gain in total jobs across the state, according to a study released Tuesday by Manufacturers’ News Inc.

The area lost more than 111 manufacturing plants over the past year for a total of 588 since 2000, the Evanston, Ill.-based company said in its 2006 Directory of California Manufacturers.

Despite the losses, manufacturing employment increased statewide last year by 8,838 jobs, a half-percent increase. That rise follows a 1 percent statewide loss in 2004 and a 12 percent statewide loss since 2000. The report found California continues to have the largest manufacturing base of any state, with 1.7 million jobs at 29,000 plants.

Locally, San Diego is the only city to post a gain last year, with the establishment of 30 new plants. At the same time, Los Angeles lost 101 plants, while Santa Fe Springs and Gardena lost five each.