Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts: 2004 Issued July 2005

Summary

MQ335C(04)-5

Current 

Industrial

Reports

Current data are released electronically on Internet fluorescent lamp ballasts shipped decreased

for all individual surveys as they become avail- to 87.9 million units in 2004, from 89.7

able. Use: http://www.census.gov/mcd/. million units in 2003, a 2-percent decrease.

Individual reports can be accessed by choosing

"Current Industrial Reports (CIR)," clicking on Magnetic type's share of the market fell to

"CIRs by Subsector;" then choose the survey of 33 percent of the quantity, and only 27 percent

interest. Follow the menu to view the PDF file or of the value of shipments. Electronic type's

to download the worksheet file (WK format) to market share increased to 67 percent of the

your personal computer. quantity and 73 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 $579 million in 2004, compared to a

address is: www.stat-usa.gov/. Follow the level of $557 million in 2003. Quantity of

prompts to register. Also, you may call ballasts reached 59.1 million units, an increase

202-482-1986 or 1-800-STAT-USA, for of 8 percent, compared to 54.4 million units

further information. in 2003. This is the highest level of electronic

type ballasts sold.

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS. The value of manufactures' shipments of fluorescent lamp For general CIR information, explanation of 

ballasts amounted to $798 million in 2004, a general terms and historical note, see the 

decrease of 1 percent from shipments of appendix. 

$802 million in 2003. The quantity of 

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

6900, or call Kellie Friedrich, 301-763-5168.

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: 1994 to 2004

[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

2004................... 87,963 797,807 (D) (D) (D) (D) 59,118 579,388

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

1994................... 108,114 940,746 27,517 75,013 55,991 474,958 24,606 390,775

 D Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual companies. 
Table 2. Shipments of Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts by Product: 2004

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

Product

code Product description

Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value

3353115 Fluorescent lamp................................ 87,963 797,807 r/ 20,407 191,521 23,974 207,777 21,982 196,876 21,600 201,633

 

Magnetic type................................................. 28,845 218,419 r/ 6,827 r/ 57,811 7,649 r/ 51,728 7,074 r/ 51,050 7,295 r/ 57,830

 Uncorrected power-factor type (less 

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

 Preheat start.............................................. (D) (D) (D) (D) r/ 1,434 4,006 r/ 1,122 3,154 r/ 1,230 3,494

3353115103 Single-ended compact lamps................. 1,445 3,900 r/ 366 r/ 987 r/ 399 r/ 1,053 r/ 310 r/ 861 r/ 370 r/ 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 r/ 795 5,962 r/ 708 5,960 r/ 596 6,502

Corrected power-factor type (85 percent

 power factor or above)................................ (D) (D) (D) (D) 5,420 r/ 41,760 5,244 r/ 41,936 5,469 r/ 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 r/ 121 r/ 688 r/ 120 r/ 739 r/ 130 r/ 806 r/ 131 r/ 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 1/............ 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............................................... 59,118 579,388 13,580 133,710 16,325 156,049 14,908 145,826 14,305 143,803

 Uncorrected power-factor type (less

 than 90 percent power factor)................ 463 4,172 r/ 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).............. 58,655 575,216 13,508 132,930 16,216 155,092 14,804 144,856 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/............................................... 434 9,092 (D) 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 r/ 67 1,322

3353115168 All other electronic corrected

 power-factor type 4/ 5/.......................... (S) (S) 145 2,944 261 4,284 170 3,663 r/ 351 r/ 8,220

 D Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual companies. mA Miliampere. r/Revised by 5 percent or more from previously published data. S Does not meet 

publication standards. 

 1/"All other rapid start" and product codes 3353115121, 3353115123, 3353115125, and "Preheat start" and product codes 3353115127 and 3353115129 are combined

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

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

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

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

companies.

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

companies.

Total First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter
Table 3. Shipments of Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts by Product: 2003

[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............. 89,711 801,539 22,868 203,416 22,173 196,722 22,538 201,331 22,132 200,070

Magnetic type............................................ 35,234 244,147 9,630 68,097 8,453 56,871 8,495 57,429 8,656 61,750

 Uncorrected power-factor type (less 

 than 85 percent power factor)............ (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D)

 Preheat (D) 15,846 1,613 4,407 1,581 3,877 (D) 3,922 (D) 3,640

3353115103 Single-ended compact lamps.............. 1,788 3,921 466 1,112 482 932 434 953 406 924

3353115105 Linear and circline lamps up to

 20 watt............................................... 3,515 8,569 939 2,384 867 2,097 902 2,177 807 1,911

3353115107 Linear and circline lamps 21 watts

 and over........................................... (D) 3,356 208 911 232 848 (D) 792 (D) 805

3353115109 All other magnetic uncorrected power- 

 factor type, including rapid start........ 4,559 28,188 1,262 8,183 1,117 6,486 1,065 6,414 1,115 7,105

Corrected power-factor type (85 percent

 power factor or above)........................... (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D)

 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.................. 770 3,941 196 987 204 1,031 177 904 193 1,019

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

3353115119 Two-lamp 32W/48T8/RS................... 221 1,650 57 454 60 436 53 387 51 373

 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 1/........ (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 121 880

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) 67,987 1,031 18,528 877 16,153 850 15,767 (D) 17,539

Electronic type............................................ 54,477 557,392 13,238 135,319 13,720 139,851 14,043 143,902 13,476 138,320

 Uncorrected power-factor type (less

 than 90 percent power factor)........... 634 5,313 208 1,649 236 1,788 103 1,019 87 857

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)......... 53,843 552,079 13,030 133,670 13,484 138,063 13,940 142,883 13,389 137,463

 Instant start:

3353115137 One- and two-lamp 32W/48T8...... 22,109 184,000 5,393 45,251 5,612 47,149 5,764 47,711 5,340 43,889

3353115139 Three- and four-lamp 32W/48T8.. 18,816 188,818 4,421 44,659 4,714 47,356 4,852 48,805 4,829 47,998

3353115141 Two-lamp 59W/96T8.................... 1,218 16,978 335 4,632 312 4,430 292 4,154 279 3,762

3353115143 Two-lamp 75W/96T12/IS 2/......... (D) (D) 59 1,050 (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/.............. 1,103 14,195 253 3,083 279 3,688 293 3,730 278 3,694

 Rapid start:

3353115147 All 32W/48T8...................................... 2,072 25,431 550 6,654 564 6,919 509 6,259 449 5,599

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/........................................... (D) 8,087 (D) 2,039 (D) 2,053 (D) 2,066 (D) 1,929

3353115154 Compact fluorescent up to and

 including 26W.................................. 4,082 40,966 961 9,671 1,000 9,961 1,081 10,704 1,040 10,630

3353115156 Compact fluorescent 27W and over.... 749 10,064 181 2,477 172 2,273 201 2,655 195 2,659

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

3353115160 Linear T5, high output........................ 1,750 28,374 389 5,885 398 6,305 469 8,084 494 8,100

3353115162 Dimming, linear................................. 629 17,952 135 4,045 137 4,084 161 4,520 196 5,303

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

3353115166 All other rapid start............................ 305 6,096 82 1,517 71 1,572 79 1,499 73 1,508

3353115168 All other electronic corrected

 power-factor type 5/.......................... (D) 10,068 (D) 2,707 100 2,273 (D) 2,696 108 2,392

 D Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual companies. mA Miliampere. 

 1/"All other rapid start" and product codes 3353115121, 3353115123, 3353115125, and "Preheat start" and product codes 3353115127 and 3353115129

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

 2/Product codes 3353115143 and 3353115144 are combined with product code 3353115145 to avoid disclosing data for individual companies.

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

 4/Product code 3353115156 is combined with product code 3353115158 to avoid disclosing data for individual companies.

 5/Product code 3353115164 is combined with product code 3353115168 to avoid disclosing data for individual companies.
Table 4. Shipments of Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts by Distribution Channel: 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

 Fluorescent lamp ballasts..................... 87,963 797,807 20,407 191,521 23,974 207,777 21,982 196,876 21,600 201,633

 Shipments to original equipment 

 manufacturers (OEM).......................... 65,355 531,884 15,338 126,529 18,375 146,934 16,205 130,507 15,437 127,914

 Shipments to distribution.................... 22,608 265,923 5,069 64,992 5,599 60,843 5,777 66,369 6,163 73,719

Magnetic type........................................................ 28,845 218,419 6,827 57,811 7,649 r/ 51,728 7,074 r/ 51,050 7,295 57,830

 Shipments to original equipment

 manufacturers (OEM)..................................... 20,281 122,497 4,931 32,111 5,439 31,653 4,881 r/ 27,778 5,030 30,955

 Shipments to distribution............................... 8,564 95,922 1,896 25,700 r/ 2,210 r/ 20,075 2,193 23,272 2,265 26,875

Electronic type....................................................... 59,118 579,388 13,580 133,710 16,325 156,049 14,908 145,826 14,305 143,803

 Shipments to original equipment

 manufacturers (OEM)....................................... 45,074 409,387 10,407 94,418 12,936 115,281 11,324 102,729 10,407 96,959

 Shipments to distribution................................. 14,044 170,001 3,173 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 of Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts by Distribution Channel: 2003

[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

 Fluorescent lamp ballasts................ 89,711 801,539 22,868 203,416 22,173 196,722 22,538 201,331 22,132 200,070

 Shipments to original equipment 

 manufacturers (OEM)................... 66,119 527,384 16,929 133,856 16,381 130,496 16,729 133,556 16,080 129,476

 Shipments to distribution.............. 23,592 274,155 5,939 69,560 5,792 66,226 5,809 67,775 6,052 70,594

Magnetic type................................................. 35,234 244,147 9,630 68,097 8,453 56,871 8,495 57,429 8,656 61,750

 Shipments to original equipment

 manufacturers (OEM).............................. 25,332 137,798 6,956 39,170 6,063 31,892 6,036 31,866 6,277 34,870

 Shipments to distribution......................... 9,902 106,349 2,674 28,927 2,390 24,979 2,459 25,563 2,379 26,880

Electronic type............................................... 54,477 557,392 13,238 135,319 13,720 139,851 14,043 143,902 13,476 138,320

 Shipments to original equipment

 manufacturers (OEM)............................... 40,787 389,586 9,973 94,686 10,318 98,604 10,693 101,690 9,803 94,606

 Shipments to distribution.......................... 13,690 167,806 3,265 40,633 3,402 41,247 3,350 42,212 3,673 43,714
Table 6. Shipments, Exports, Imports, and Apparent Consumption of Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts: 1994 to 2004

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

 Manufacturers' Exports of domestic Imports for

 shipments merchandise 1/ consumption 2/

Product Product description

code Value Value at

Quantity f.o.b. plant Quantity 4/ port 4/ Quantity 4/ Value 3/ 4/

3353115 Fluorescent lamp ballasts...............2004..... 87,963 797,807 12,212 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

1994..... 108,114 940,746 10,178 66,697 62,702 352,952

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

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

 3/Value represents c.i.f. plus U.S. import duties.

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