Today it seems like everything from preform bands to electronics are made overseas. More and more Americans in the manufacturing business are being given layoffs and their jobs moved to factories in other countries. Does that mean that the United States is losing its status as the world's top manufacturer? No. It's still as strong as ever, with the leading manufacturers wielding impressive amounts of financial clout and power. Read on to find out who the top four manufacturing companies are and what they do. You may be surprised.

Lorrilard Inc.

Tobacco, as a product, is obsolete, right? Nobody smokes anymore, cigarette companies aren't allowed to advertise, and their die hard customers are all dying of lung cancer. It would be a better idea for these companies to move into farm fencing or potatoes. Except it wouldn't, not if you look at the figures. Lorrilard Inc. still earns about $52 billion a year and is actually still growing! Lorrilard Inc. is best known for producing the Newport brand of cigarettes.

Western Digital Corp.

Western Digital Corp. is more like the type of company people expect to be on the top of a list of American manufacturers. Since it's a computer company, it meets our impressions of this as the information age more than a vacuum truck manufacturer would. Western Digital makes computer hard drives, both internal and external, so chances are you're viewing this site with their product right now. They're able to rake in about $7.5 billion a year.

Apple Inc.

The inclusion of Apple Inc on the list of America's top manufacturers won't come as much of a surprise given how often they dominate the media. Apple has convinced millions and millions of people all over the world that unless they bought Apple brand products, such as mp3 players, computers, peripherals, cell phones, and digital media, that they would be about as cool as an adult who wears cloth diapers. This mentality nets them about $5.7 billion a year and a growth rate of over 12%.

Hansen Natural Corp.

While most of us would expect to see more computer companies, a clothing giant, or perhaps a furniture manufacturer that supplies custom cabinetry to Toronto, the fourth name on the list is actually Hansen Natural Corp. Hansen makes over a billion dollars a year selling juices, sodas, smoothies, and energy drinks. Their drinks are increasing in popularity, because the company is growing at about 11% per year.