Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts: 2005 Issued July 2006

Summary

MQ335C(05)-5

Current 

Industrial

Reports

Current data are released electronically on Internet $798 million in 2004. The quantity of fluorescent 

for all individual surveys as they become avail- lamp ballasts shipped decreased to 83.5 million 

able. Use: http://www.census.gov/mcd/. units in 2005, from 89.7 million units in 2004, a 

Individual reports can be accessed by choosing 7-percent decrease.

"Current Industrial Reports (CIR)," clicking on

"CIRs by Subsector;" then choose the survey of Magnetic type's share of the market fell to 27 

interest. Follow the menu to view the PDF file or percent of the quantity, and only 23 percent of the 

to download the worksheet file (XLS format) to of the value of shipments. Electronic type's market

your personal computer. share increased to 73 percent of the quantity and 

77 percent of the value of shipments. 

These data are also available on Internet 

through the U.S. Department of Commerce The value of shipments of electronic ballasts

and STAT-USA by subscription. The Internet totaled $595 million in 2005, compared to a level 

address is: www.stat-usa.gov/. Follow the of $579 million in 2004. Quantity of ballasts 

prompts to register. Also, you may call reached 61.3 million units, an increase of 3 percent

202-482-1986 or 1-800-STAT-USA, for compared to 59.2 million units 2004. This is the 

further information. highest level of electronic type ballasts ever sold. 

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS. The value of manu- For general CIR information, explanation of 

factures' shipments of fluorescent lamp general terms and historical note, see the 

ballasts amounted to $770 million in 2005, a appendix. 

decrease of 3.5 percent from shipments of 

Address inquiries concerning these data to Investment Goods Industries Branch, Manufacturing and Construction Division, (MCD), Washington, DC 20233-6900, 

or call Lindsay Peters, 301-763-4821. 

For mail or fax copies of this publication, please contact the Information Services Center, MCD, Washington, DC 20233-6900, or call 301-763-4673. 

U S C E N S U S B U R E A U U.S. Department of Commerce

 Economics and Statistics Administration

Helping You Make Informed Decisions U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
Table 1. Summary of Shipments of Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts: 1995 to 2005 

[Quantity in thousands of ballasts. Value in thousands of dollars] 

 Magnetic type

 Uncorrected Corrected 

Year Total power-factor type power-factor type Electronic type

Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value

2005............... 83,480 769,760 5,473 20,460 16,738 154,670 61,269 594,630

2004.............. 89,729 797,819 (D) (D) (D) (D) 59,239 579,388

2003............. 89,711 801,539 (D) (D) (D) (D) 54,477 557,392

2002............. 94,497 836,364 (D) (D) (D) (D) 53,820 573,106

2001............. 99,426 877,367 (D) (D) (D) (D) 52,702 581,861

2000............. 104,771 898,524 17,908 58,719 37,540 284,289 49,323 555,516

1999............. 102,894 884,513 19,822 58,145 41,441 326,314 41,631 500,054

1998............. 103,724 914,265 21,298 62,207 42,584 339,230 39,842 512,828

1997............. 103,947 906,477 24,517 68,528 42,887 343,928 36,543 494,021

1996............. 97,355 909,178 24,172 67,884 42,841 389,877 30,342 451,417

1995............. 105,306 1,002,115 24,764 68,165 47,648 427,062 32,894 506,888

 D Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual companies. 
Table 2. Shipments of Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts by Product: 2005

[Quantity in thousands of ballasts. Value in thousands of dollars]

Product Total First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

code Product description

 Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value

3353115 Fluorescent lamp ballasts................................... 83,480 769,760 21,652 198,500 21,497 196,403 20,770 191,821 19,561 183,036

 Magnetic type.................................................... 22,211 r/ 175,130 7,214 r/ 56,144 5,930 r/ 44,389 4,565 r/ 36,037 4,502 38,560

 Uncorrected power-factor type (less than 

 85 percent power factor)............................... 5,473 20,460 r/ 1,481 r/ 6,051 r/ 1,451 r/ 5,402 1,291 4,464 1,250 4,543

 Preheat start: 

3353115103 Single-ended compact lamps.................... 1,341 3,909 r/ 389 r/ 1,161 r/ 344 r/ 1,012 311 879 297 857

3353115105 Linear and circline lamps up to 20 

 watt.......................................................... 2,512 6,777 650 r/ 1,995 683 r/ 1,815 620 1,497 559 1,470

3353115107 Linear and circline lamps 21 watts 

 and over................................................... (D) 2,230 (D) 671 (D) 533 (D) 515 (D) 511

3353115109 All other magnetic uncorrected power-

 factor type, including rapid start............. (D) 7,544 (D) r/ 2,224 (D) r/ 2,042 (D) 1,573 (D) 1,705

 Corrected power-factor type (85 percent 

 power factor or above).................................. 16,738 154,670 5,733 r/ 50,093 4,479 r/ 38,987 3,274 r/ 31,573 3,252 34,017

 Slimline and instant start:

3353115111 Two-lamp 75W/96T12/IS and 

 57W/72T12/IS......................................... (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 634 7,110 650 7,591

3353115113 Other slimline and instant start............... (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D)

 Rapid start:

3353115115 One-lamp 40W/48T12/RS......................... 494 2,801 r/ 175 972 r/ 138 775 102 585 79 469

3353115117 Two-lamp 40W/48T12/RS......................... (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 10,768 (D) (D)

3353115119 Two-lamp 32W/48T8/RS........................... (D) (D) r/ 31 r/ 261 r/ 36 r/ 297 28 249 (D) (D)

 All other rapid start:

3353115121 800 to 1000 mA 1/.................................. (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 11,947

3353115123 1500 mA 1/............................................. (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D)

3353115125 Other rapid start 1/................................ (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D)

 Preheat start:

3353115127 Single-ended compact lamps.................... 341 3,136 102 923 91 829 86 777 62 607

3353115129 Linear and circline lamps 1/..................... (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D)

3353115131 All other magnetic corrected power- 

 factor type 1/............................................ (NA) (NA) (D) r/ 15,183 (D) r/ 11,678 (D) (D) (D) (D)

 Electronic type.................................................. 61,269 594,630 14,438 142,356 15,567 152,014 16,205 155,784 15,059 144,476

 Uncorrected power-factor type (less than 

 90 percent power factor).............................. (D) 4,531 r/ 108 r/ 1,008 r/ 174 r/ 1,345 (D) 926 155 1,252

3353115133 Single-ended compact lamps...................... (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D)

3353115135 All other electronic uncorrected

 power-factor type..................................... (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D)

 Corrected power-factor type

 (90 percent power factor or above)................ (D) 590,099 14,330 141,348 15,393 150,669 (D) 154,858 14,904 143,224

 Instant start:

3353115137 One- and two-lamp 32W/48T8.................... 22,302 169,102 5,363 41,315 5,896 44,851 5,775 43,725 5,268 39,211

3353115139 Three- and four-lamp 32W/48T8................ 20,614 190,382 5,078 47,176 5,332 49,508 5,454 50,524 4,750 43,174

3353115141 Two-lamp 59W/96T8.................................. 1,224 16,621 279 3,868 326 4,610 300 3,919 319 4,224

3353115143 Two-lamp 75W/96T12/IS 2/....................... (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D)

3353115144 Linear T5 3/................................................ (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D)

3353115145 All other instant start 2/............................. (NA) (NA) 283 3,538 271 3,386 (D) (D) 211 2,649

 Rapid start:

3353115147 All 32W/48T8.............................................. 2,342 27,192 573 6,640 638 7,335 602 6,960 529 6,257

3353115149 All other T8, 4 foot and less....................... - - - - - - - - - -

3353115151 Two-lamp 40W/48T12/RS 3/...................... (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D)

3353115153 800 mA 3/.................................................. (NA) (NA) 137 2,470 146 2,566 (D) (D) 68 1,665

3353115154 Compact fluorescent up to and

 including 26W........................................... 5,271 49,680 1,237 12,026 1,171 11,215 1,399 13,054 1,464 13,385

3353115156 Compact fluorescent 27W and over............ 1,072 13,933 256 3,377 266 3,423 292 3,792 258 3,341

3353115158 Linear T5, normal output 4/....................... (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D)

3353115160 Linear T5, high output................................. 3,086 50,759 658 11,154 816 13,074 825 13,301 787 13,230

3353115162 Dimming, linear 4/..................................... (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D)

3353115164 Dimming, compact fluorescent 4/.............. (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D)

3353115166 All other rapid start.................................... 293 6,049 74 1,500 72 1,540 77 1,553 70 1,456

3353115168 All other electronic corrected power- 

 factor type 4/.............................................. (NA) (NA) r/ 392 r/ 8,284 r/ 459 r/ 9,161 (D) 838 (D) 536

 - Represents zero. D Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual companies. mA Miliampere. NA Not available. r/Revised by 5 percent or 

more from previously published data. 

 1/For first and second quarters, product codes 3353115121, 3353115123, 3353115125, and 3353115129 are combined with product code 3353115131 to 

avoid disclosing data for individual companies. 

 2/For first and second quarters, product code 3353115143 is combined with product code 3353115145 to avoid disclosing data for individual companies. 

 3/For first and second quarters, product codes 3353115144 and 335115151 are combined with 3353115153 to avoid disclosing data for individual companies. 

 4/For first and second quarters, product codes 3353115158, 3353115162, and 3353115164 are combined with product code 3353115168 to avoid disclosing 

data for individual companies. 
Table 3. Shipments of Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts by Product: 2004 

[Quantity in thousands of ballasts. Value in thousands of dollars] 

Product Total First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

code Product description

 Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value 

3353115 Fluorescent lamp ballasts................................. 89,729 797,819 r/ 22,174 191,533 23,974 207,777 21,981 196,876 21,600 201,633

 Magnetic type.................................................. r/ 30,490 218,431 r/ 8,472 57,823 7,649 51,728 7,074 51,050 7,295 57,830

 Uncorrected power-factor type (less than 

 85 percent power factor)............................ (D) (D) (D) (D) 2,229 9,968 1,830 9,114 1,826 9,996

 Preheat start: (D) (D) (D) (D) 1,434 4,006 1,122 3,154 1,230 3,494

3353115103 Single-ended compact lamps.................. 1,445 3,900 366 987 399 1,053 310 861 370 999

3353115105 Linear and circline lamps up to 20 

 watt........................................................ 3,196 8,036 864 2,117 880 2,242 699 1,750 753 1,927

3353115107 Linear and circline lamps 21 watts 

 and over................................................... (D) (D) (D) (D) 155 711 113 543 107 568

3353115109 All other magnetic uncorrected power- 

 factor type, including rapid start............ 3,123 25,096 1,024 6,672 795 5,962 708 5,960 596 6,502

 Corrected power-factor type (85 percent 

 power factor or above)................................ (D) (D) (D) (D) 5,420 41,760 5,244 41,936 5,469 47,834

 Slimline and instant start: (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D)

3353115111 Two-lamp 75W/96T12/IS and 

 57W/72T12/IS....................................... (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D)

3353115113 Other slimline and instant start.............. (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D)

 Rapid start: (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D)

3353115115 One-lamp 40W/48T12/RS........................ 502 3,073 121 688 120 739 130 806 131 840

3353115117 Two-lamp 40W/48T12/RS....................... (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D)

3353115119 Two-lamp 32W/48T8/RS......................... 200 1,870 50 373 52 424 42 391 56 682

 All other rapid start 1/........................... (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D)

3353115121 800 to 1000 mA 1/................................ (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D)

3353115123 1500 mA 1/........................................... (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D)

3353115125 Other rapid start 1/............................... (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D)

 Preheat start 1/....................................... (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D)

3353115127 Single-ended compact lamps.................. 474 3,713 131 984 138 1,013 101 833 104 883

3353115129 Linear and circline lamps 1/................... (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D)

3353115131 All other magnetic corrected power- 

 factor type 1/.......................................... (D) 66,103 (D) 17,574 (D) 14,981 (D) 15,184 (D) 18,364

 Electronic type................................................ 59,239 579,388 13,702 133,710 16,325 156,049 14,907 145,826 14,305 143,803

 Uncorrected power-factor type (less than 

 90 percent power factor)............................. 463 4,172 72 780 109 957 104 970 178 1,465

3353115133 Single-ended compact lamps.................... (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D)

3353115135 All other electronic uncorrected 

 power-factor type.................................... (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D)

 Corrected power-factor type 

 (90 percent power factor or above)............... 58,776 575,216 13,630 132,930 16,216 155,092 14,803 144,856 14,127 142,338

 Instant start: 

3353115137 One- and two-lamp 32W/48T8.................. 22,538 172,816 5,330 41,253 6,270 47,285 5,694 43,524 5,244 40,754

3353115139 Three- and four-lamp 32W/48T8.............. 20,591 192,939 4,809 45,057 5,588 51,282 5,185 48,330 5,009 48,270

3353115141 Two-lamp 59W/96T8................................. 1,214 15,885 315 4,109 333 4,372 301 3,880 265 3,524

3353115143 Two-lamp 75W/96T12/IS 2/...................... (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D)

3353115144 Linear T5 3/............................................... (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D)

3353115145 All other instant start 2/........................... 1,220 15,099 327 4,146 337 3,963 294 3,542 262 3,448

 Rapid start: 

3353115147 All 32W/48T8............................................ 2,397 27,442 552 6,432 768 8,680 559 6,253 518 6,077

3353115149 All other T8, 4 foot and less 3/................. (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D)

3353115151 Two-lamp 40W/48T12/RS 3/.................... (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D)

3353115153 800 mA 3/................................................. r/ 556 9,092 r/ 122 2,057 108 1,827 130 2,249 196 2,959

3353115154 Compact fluorescent up to and 

 including 26W......................................... 4,713 44,878 1,069 10,380 1,272 11,832 1,157 10,888 1,215 11,778

3353115156 Compact fluorescent 27W and over.......... 903 11,698 205 2,658 247 3,130 234 3,000 217 2,910

3353115158 Linear T5, normal output 4/ 5/................. (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D)

3353115160 Linear T5, high output.............................. 2,898 46,117 512 7,721 788 12,415 815 12,905 783 13,076

3353115162 Dimming, linear 5/.................................... (D) (D) 168 4,784 167 4,415 208 5,485 (D) (D)

3353115164 Dimming, compact fluorescent 4/ 5/........ (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D)

3353115166 All other rapid start................................... 276 5,455 76 1,389 77 1,607 56 1,137 67 1,322

3353115168 All other electronic corrected power- 

 factor type 4/ 5/....................................... (NA) (NA) 145 2,944 261 4,284 170 3,663 r/ 351 r/ 8,820

 D Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual companies. mA Miliampere. NA Not available. r/Revised by 5 percent or more from previously 

published data. 

 1/"All other rapid start" and product codes 3353115121, 3353115123, and 3353115125, and "Preheat start" and product code 3353115129 are combined 

with product code 3353115131 to avoid disclosing data for individual companies. 

 2/Product code 3353115143 is combined with 3353115145 to avoid disclosing data for individual companies. 

 3/Product codes 3353115144, 3353115149, and 3353115151 are combined with 3353115153 to avoid disclosing data for individual companies. 

 4/For first, second, and third quarters, product codes 3353115158 and 3353115164 are combined with product code 3353115168 to avoid disclosing data 

for indivdual companies. 

 5/For the fourth quarter, product codes 3353115158, 3353115162, and 3353115164 are combined with product code 3353115168 to avoid disclosing data 

for indivdual companies. 
Table 4. Shipments of Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts by Distribution Channel: 2005 and 2004 

[Quantity in thousands of ballasts. Value in thousands of dollars] 

 Total First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Product description

Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value

2005

 Fluorescent lamp ballasts.................... 83,480 769,760 21,652 198,500 21,497 196,403 20,770 191,821 19,561 183,036

 Shipments to original equipment 

 manufacturers (OEM)....................... 60,387 499,372 15,568 126,722 15,795 129,634 14,865 123,860 14,159 119,156

 Shipments to distribution.................. 23,093 270,388 6,084 r/ 71,778 5,702 66,769 5,905 67,961 5,402 63,880

Magnetic type.................................................. 22,211 175,130 7,214 r/ 56,144 5,930 r/ 44,389 4,565 r/ 36,037 4,502 38,560

 Shipments to original equipment

 manufacturers (OEM)................................... 13,566 79,669 4,648 r/ 27,348 3,831 r/ 21,661 2,476 r/ 13,801 2,611 16,859

 Shipments to distribution.............................. 8,645 95,461 2,566 r/ 28,796 2,099 r/ 22,728 2,089 r/ 22,236 1,891 21,701

Electronic type................................................. 61,269 594,630 14,438 142,356 15,567 152,014 16,205 155,784 15,059 144,476

 Shipments to original equipment

 manufacturers (OEM)................................... 46,821 419,703 10,920 99,374 11,964 107,973 12,389 110,059 11,548 102,297

 Shipments to distribution.............................. 14,448 174,927 3,518 42,982 3,603 44,041 3,816 45,725 3,511 42,179

2004

 Fluorescent lamp ballasts.................... 89,729 797,819 r/ 22,174 191,533 23,974 207,777 21,981 196,876 21,600 201,633

 Shipments to original equipment 

 manufacturers (OEM)....................... 66,529 531,891 r/ 16,513 126,536 18,375 146,934 16,204 130,507 15,437 127,914

 Shipments to distribution.................. 23,200 265,928 r/ 5,661 64,997 5,599 60,843 5,777 66,369 6,163 73,719

Magnetic type.................................................. r/ 30,490 218,431 r/ 8,472 57,823 7,649 51,728 7,074 51,050 7,295 57,830

 Shipments to original equipment

 manufacturers (OEM)................................... r/ 21,362 122,504 r/ 6,012 32,118 5,439 31,653 4,881 27,778 5,030 30,955

 Shipments to distribution.............................. r/ 9,128 95,927 r/ 2,460 25,705 2,210 20,075 2,193 23,272 2,265 26,875

Electronic type................................................. 59,239 579,388 13,702 133,710 16,325 156,049 14,907 145,826 14,305 143,803

 Shipments to original equipment

 manufacturers (OEM)................................... 45,167 409,387 10,501 94,418 12,936 115,281 11,323 102,729 10,407 96,959

 Shipments to distribution.............................. 14,072 170,001 3,201 39,292 3,389 40,768 3,584 43,097 3,898 46,844

 r/Revised by 5 percent or more from previously published data. 
Table 5. Shipments, Exports, and Imports of Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts: 1995 to 2005 

[Quantity in thousands of ballasts. Value in thousands of dollars] 

 Manufacturers' Exports of domestic Imports for

 shipments merchandise 1/ consumption 3/

Product Product description Value 

code f.o.b. Value at 

Quantity plant Quantity 2/ port 2/ Quantity 2/ Value 2/ 4/ 

3353115 Fluorescent lamp ballasts.............2005..... 83,480 769,760 10,268 88,020 110,834 768,943

2004..... 89,729 797,819 12,213 81,641 106,402 741,551

2003..... 89,711 801,539 19,584 141,815 105,574 711,073

2002..... 94,497 836,364 20,619 170,923 116,176 679,508

2001..... 99,426 877,367 23,540 185,934 101,777 608,955

2000..... 104,771 898,524 20,531 164,223 125,698 634,799

1999..... 102,894 884,513 17,277 157,642 102,454 617,711

1998..... 103,724 914,265 14,265 138,415 95,495 601,293

1997..... 103,947 906,477 22,982 128,119 98,010 588,552

1996..... 97,355 909,178 17,955 92,191 81,844 504,702

1995..... 105,306 1,002,115 10,400 72,610 73,707 502,564

 1/Source: Census Bureau report EM 545, U.S. Exports. Schedule B export code is 8504.10.0000. 

 2/Exports/imports are overstated due to the inclusion of specialty transformers classified in product class 3353113. 

 3/Source: Census Bureau report IM 145, U.S. Imports for Consumption. HTSUSA import code 8504.10.0000. 

 4/Dollar value represents c.i.f. (cost, insurance, and freight) value at first port of entry in the United States plus U.S. 

import duties. 
Current Industrial Reports A-1

Appendix. 

General CIR Survey Information, Explanation of General Terms

and Historical Note

GENERAL

The CIR program has been providing monthly,

quarterly, and annual measures of industrial activity for

many years. Since 1904, with its cotton and fats and oils

surveys, the CIR program has formed an essential part

of an integrated statistical system involving the quinquennial economic census, manufacturing sector, and

the annual survey of manufactures. The CIR surveys,

however, provide current statistics at a more detailed

product level than either of the other two statistical

programs.

The primary objective of the CIR program is to

produce timely, accurate data on production and

shipments of selected products. The data are used to

satisfy economic policy needs and for market analysis,

forecasting, and decision making in the private sector.

The product-level data generated by these surveys are

used extensively by individual firms, trade associations,

and market analysts in planning or recommending

marketing and legislative strategies, particularly if their

industry is significantly affected by foreign trade.

Although production and shipments information are the

two most common data items collected, the CIR

program collects other measures also such as

inventories, orders, and consumption. These surveys

measure manufacturing activity in important commodity

areas such as textiles and apparel, chemicals, primary

metals, computer and electronic components, industrial

equipment, aerospace equipment, and consumer

goods.

The CIR program uses a unified data collection,

processing, and publication system. The U.S. Census

Bureau updates the survey panels for most reports

annually and reconciles the estimates to the results of

the broader-based annual survey of manufactures and

the economic census, manufacturing sector. The manufacturing sector provides a complete list of all

producers of the products covered by the CIR program

and serves as the primary source for CIR sampling.

Where a small number of producers exist, CIR surveys

cover all known producers of a product. However, when

the number of producers is too large, cutoff and

random sampling techniques are used. Surveys are

continually reviewed and modified to provide the most

up-to-date information on products produced. The CIR

program includes a group of mandatory and voluntary

surveys. Typically the monthly and quarterly surveys are

conducted on a voluntary basis. Those companies that

choose not to respond to the voluntary surveys are

required to submit a mandatory annual counterpart

corresponding to the more frequent survey.

NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION

SYSTEM (NAICS), 1997 

The adoption of the North American Industry

Classification System (NAICS) in the 1997 Economic

Census has had a major impact on the comparability of

current and historic data. Approximately half of the

industries in the manufacturing sector of NAICS do not

have comparable industries in the Standard Industrial

Classification (SIC) system that was used in the past.

While most of the change affecting the

manufacturing sector was change within the sector,

some industries left manufacturing and others came into

manufacturing. Prominent among those that left

manufacturing are logging and portions of publishing.

Prominent among the industries that came into the

manufacturing sector are bakeries, candy stores where

candy is made on the premises, custom tailors, makers

of custom draperies, and tire retreading. The net effect

of the classification changes are such that if the 1997

value of shipments data for all manufacturers were

tabulated on an SIC basis, it would be approximately 3

percent higher.

Listed below are the NAICS sectors:

21 Mining

22 Utilities

23 Construction

31-33 Manufacturing

42 Wholesale Trade

44-45 Retail Trade

48-49 Transportation and Warehousing

51 Information

52 Finance and Insurance

53 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing

54 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

55 Management of Companies and Enterprises

56 Administrative and Support and Waste Management

and Remediation Services

61 Educational Services

62 Health Care and Social Assistance

71 Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation

72 Accommodation and Food Services

81 Other Services (except Public Administration)

(Not listed above are the Agriculture, Forestry,

Fishing, and Hunting sector (NAICS 11), partially covered

by the census of agriculture conducted by the U.S.

Department of Agriculture, and the Public

Administration sector (NAICS 92), covered by the census

of governments conducted by the Census Bureau.)
Current Industrial Reports A-2

The 20 NAICS sectors are subdivided into 96

subsectors (three-digit codes), 313 industry groups

(four-digit codes), and, as implemented in the United

States, 1170 industries (five- and six-digit codes).

FUNDING

The Census Bureau funds most of the surveys.

However, a number of surveys are paid for either fully

or partially by other Federal Government agencies or

private trade associations. A few surveys are mandated,

but all are authorized by Title 13 of the United States

Code.

RELIABILITY OF DATA

Survey error may result from several sources

including the inability to obtain information about all

cases in the survey, response errors, definitional

difficulties, differences in the interpretation of

questions, mistakes in recording or coding the reported

data, and other errors of collection, response,

coverage, and estimation. These nonsampling errors

also occur in complete censuses. Although no direct

measurement of the biases due to these nonsampling

errors has been obtained, precautionary steps were

taken in all phases of the collection, processing, and

tabulation of the data in an effort to minimize their

influence.

A major source of bias in the published estimates is

the imputing of data for nonrespondents, for late

reporters, and for data that fail logic edits. Missing

figures are imputed based on period-to-period

movements shown by reporting firms. A figure is

considered to be an impute if the value was not directly

reported on the questionnaire, directly derived from

other reported items, directly available from

supplemental sources, or obtained from the respondent

during the analytical review phase. Imputation generally

is limited to a maximum of 10 percent for any one data

cell. Figures with imputation rates greater than 10

percent are suppressed or footnoted. The imputation

rate is not an explicit indicator of the potential error in

published figures due to nonresponse, because the

actual yearly movements for nonrespondents may or

may not closely agree with the imputed movements.

The range of difference between the actual and

imputed figures is assumed to be small. The degree of 

uncertainty regarding the accuracy of the published data

increases as the percentage of imputation increases.

Figures with imputation rates above 10 percent should

be used with caution.

DATA REVISIONS

Statistics for previous years may be revised as the

result of corrected figures from respondents, late

reports for which imputations were originally made, or

other corrections. Data that have been revised by more

than 5 percent from previously published data are

indicated by footnotes.

DISCLOSURE

The Census Bureau collects the CIR data under the

authority of Title 13, United States Code, which

specifies that the information can only be used for

statistical purposes and cannot be published or released

in any manner that would identify a person, household,

or establishment. "D" indicates that data in the cell have

been suppressed to avoid disclosure of information

pertaining to individual companies.

EXPLANATION OF GENERAL TERMS

Capacity. The maximum quantity of a product that can

be produced in a plant in 1 day if operating for 24

hours. Includes the capacity of idle plants until the plant

is reported to be destroyed, dismantled, or abandoned.

Consumption. Materials used in producing or

processing a product or otherwise removing the

product from the inventory.

Exports. Includes all types of products shipped to

foreign countries, or to agents or exporters for

reshipment to foreign countries.

Gross shipments. The quantity or value of physical

shipments from domestic establishments of all products

sold, transferred to other establishments of the same

company, or shipped on consignment, whether for

domestic or export sale or use. Shipments of products

purchased for resale are omitted. Shipments of

products made under toll arrangements are included.

Interplant transfers. Shipments to other domestic

plants within a company for further assembly,

fabrication, or manufacture.

Inventories. The quantity or value of finished goods,

work in progress, and materials on hand.

Machinery in place. The number of machines of a

particular type in place as of a particular date whether

the machinery was used for production, prototype, or

sampling, or was idle. Machinery in place includes all

machinery set up in operating positions.

Net receipts. Derived by subtracting the materials held

at the end of the previous month from the sum of

materials used during the current month.

Production. The total volume of products produced,

including: products sold; products transferred or added

to inventory after adjustments for breakage, shrinkage,

and obsolescence, plus any other inventory adjustment;

and products that undergo further manufacture at the

same establishment. 

Quantities produced and consumed. Quantities of

each type of product produced by a company for

internal consumption within that same company.
Current Industrial Reports A-3

Quantity and value of new orders. The sales value

of orders received during the current reporting period

for products and services to be delivered immediately

or at some future date. Also represents the net sales

value of contract change documents that increase or

decrease the sales value of the orders to which they are 

related, when the parties concerned are in substantial

agreement as to the amount involved. Included as

orders are only those that are supported by binding

legal documents such as signed contracts or letter

contracts.

Quantity and value of shipments. The figures on

quantity and value of shipments represent physical

shipments of all products sold, transferred to other

establishments of the same company, or shipped on

consignment, whether for domestic or export sale. The

value represents the net sales price, f.o.b. plant, to the

customer or branch to which the products are shipped,

net of discounts, allowances, freight charges, and 

returns. Shipments to a company's own branches are 

assigned the same value as comparable appropriate 

allocation of company overhead and profit. Products

bought and resold without further manufacture are

excluded.

Stocks. Total quantity of ending finished inventory.

Unfilled orders (backlog). Calculated by adding net

new orders and subtracting net sales from the backlog

at the end of the preceding year.

HISTORICAL NOTE

Data on fluorescent lamp ballasts have been

collected by the Census Bureau since 1955. Historical

data may be obtained from Current Industrial Reports

(called Facts for Industry before 1959) available at your

local Federal Depository Library.