Wiring Devices and Supplies: 2003 Issued November 2004

MA335K(03)-1

Current 

Industrial

Reports

Current data are released electronically on Internet carrying wiring devices accounted for $3.8

for all individual surveys as they become avail- billion, a decrease of 6 percent under 2002. The

able. Use: http://www.census.gov/mcd/. 2003 shipments included lampholders, valued

Individual reports can be accessed by choosing at $103 million, down 11 percent from $116

"Current Industrial Reports (CIR)," clicking on million in 2002; convenience and power outlets,

"CIRs by Subsector;" then choose the survey of valued at $381 million, an increase of 3 percent

interest. Follow the menu to view the PDF file from $370 million in 2002; switches, valued at

or to download the worksheet file (WK format) $1.4 billion, down 10 percent from $1.5 billion

to your personal computer. in 2002; metal contacts valued at $174 million, 

a decreased 3 percent from $180 million in 2002;

These data are also available on Internet wire connectors, valued at $1.2 billion, remained

through the U.S. Department of Commerce relatively unchanged from $1.2 billion in 2002;

and STAT-USA by subscription. The Internet other current-carrying wiring devices valued at

address is: www.stat-usa.gov/. Follow the $1.3 billion, down 8 percent from $1.4 billion in

prompts to register. Also, you may call 2002; pole line and transmission hardward, 

202-482-1986 or 1-800-STAT-USA, for valued at $699 million, down from $717 million

further information. 2002; electrical conduit and conduit fittings,

valued at $1.7 billion, down from $1.9 billion in

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS 2002; and other noncurrent-carrying devices,

valued at $1.4 billion, remained the same as 

During 2003, manufacturers' shipments of in 2002. 

wiring devices and supplies totaled $8.3 billion,

a decrease of 6 percent from $8.8 billion in For general CIR information, explanation of 

2002. Current-carrying wiring devices accounted general terms and historical note, see the 

for $4.5 billion, a decrease of 6 percent from appendix.

$4.8 billion in 2002, while the noncurrentAddress inquiries concerning these data to Investment Goods Industries Branch, Manufacturing and Construction Division (MCD), Washington, DC 20233-6900, 

or call Vance Davis, 301-763-4790.

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. Value of Shipments of Wiring Devices and Supplies by Class of Product: 1994 to 2003 

[Millions of dollars] 

Product

code Product description 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994

335931 Current-carrying wiring devices.................. 4,517 4,808 5,197 5,585 5,396 5,448 5,300 4,836 4,772 4,422

3359311 Lampholders........................................... 103 116 155 156 159 194 194 193 201 211

3359313 Convenience and power outlets,

 both general and special-purpose, 

 excluding pin and sleeve type.............. 381 370 370 409 415 461 436 375 364 341

3359315 Switches for electrical circuitry.............. 1,362 1,515 1,635 1,869 1,752 1,840 1,775 1,612 1,623 1,526

3359317 Metal contacts precious and other......... 174 180 184 246 236 226 214 239 259 245

3359319 Wire connectors for electrical 

 circuitry............................................... 1,186 1,200 1,403 1,546 1,517 1,450 1,462 1,235 1,194 1,082

335931A Other current-carrying wiring

 devices, including attachment

 plug caps, connector bodies,

 lightning arrestors, and pin

 and sleeve convenience

 power outlets....................................... 1,311 1,427 1,450 1,359 1,317 1,277 1,219 1,182 1,130 1,018

335932 Noncurrent-carrying wiring devices............ 3,750 4,021 4,552 5,004 4,660 4,463 4,424 3,938 3,915 3,622

3359321 Pole line and transmission hardware..... 699 717 778 939 958 852 856 704 673 641

3359323 Electrical conduit and conduit 

 fittings.................................................. 1,662 1,915 2,079 2,308 2,306 2,126 2,184 1,960 2,050 1,866

3359325 Other noncurrent-carrying wiring 

 devices and supplies............................ 1,389 1,389 1,695 1,757 1,396 1,485 1,384 1,274 1,192 1,116
Continued 1

Table 2. Quantity and Value of Shipments of Wiring Devices and Supplies: 2003 and 2002 

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

 No. 2003 2002

 Product Product description of

code cos. Quantity Value Quantity Value

Wiring devices and supplies...................................... (X) (X) 8,268,020 (X) 8,828,721

335931 Current-carrying wiring devices............................ (X) (X) 4,517,585 (X) 4,807,700

3359311 Lampholders...................................................... 16 282,569 102,623 303,709 r/ 116,490

 Incandescent:

3359311102 Push through and pull types, all

 materials, threaded, medium base 

 only; excluding outlet box type 

 and socket interiors 1/............................. 3 (D) (D) (D) (D)

3359311104 Outlet box, threaded, medium base 

 only, pull and keyless types.................... 3 14,197 14,822 a/ 14,526 15,442

3359311106 Weatherproof, threaded, medium

 base only 2/............................................. 3 (D) (D) (D) (D)

3359311108 Candelabra base, all types 2/...................... 4 (D) (D) (D) (D)

3359311111 Sign and fixture, medium base

 only 2/..................................................... 3 13,435 9,354 r/ 15,409 r/ 11,006

3359311112 All other incandescent, medium,

 admedium, intermediate, lumiline,

 miniature, including but not limited

 to pin-type, cleat, hasp, and socket

 interiors sold separately, all bases 1/....... 8 55,122 38,535 71,133 r/ 48,831

 Fluorescent:

3359311114 Bi-pin................................................................... 5 163,683 21,724 166,273 21,920

3359311116 Slimline 3/.......................................................... 3 (D) (D) (D) (D)

3359311118 Recessed double contact 3/................................ 5 (D) (D) (D) (D)

3359311121 All other fluorescent, including but not

 limited to circlene, panelescent and

 and starter holders 3/....................................... 5 (D) (D) (D) (D)

3359311122 All other lampholders,including cold cathode

 neon and bases for quartz lamps quartz

 lamps 3/............................................................... 3 36,132 18,188 36,368 r/ 19,291

3359313 Convenience and power outlets, both general

 and special purpose, excluding pin and

 sleeve type.............................................................. 8 a/ 231,563 380,989 a/ 227,450 369,889

3359313102 Receptacles with GFIC (all types, all

 amperages) 4/.................................................... 2 (D) (D) (D) (D)

 Receptacles without GFIC:

3359313104 2-pole, 2-wire (flush, all types) 4/....................... 3 (D) (D) (D) (D)

 2-pole, 3-wire and up (flush):

3359313106 Locking, 15 amperes and under 5/.................. 2 (D) (D) (D) (D)

3359313108 Locking, 20 amperes and over 5/..................... 5 a/ 93,448 77,401 a/ 82,118 66,247

3359313111 Nonlocking, 15 amperes and under................. 5 a/ 71,124 55,500 b/ 75,197 57,255

3359313112 Nonlocking, 20 amperes and over.................... 5 a/ 34,453 54,298 a/ 35,929 60,035

3359313114 Appliance and special applications all

 amperages, all types 4/..................................... 3 (D) (D) (D) (D)

3359313116 All other types, including dust and

 explosion proof, surface and 2-pole/

 2-wire 4/........................................................... 5 32,538 193,790 b/r/ 34,206 186,352

3359315 Switches for electrical circuitry................................. 52 a/ 602,380 1,362,404 a/r/ 726,398 1,514,999

 General use flush-mounted switches, 

 designed for mounting in switch or outlet

 boxes (except dimmers):

 Ac (except mercury):

3359315102 Single pole, 15 amperes and under 6/......... 5 93,401 95,847 a/ 90,172 70,469

3359315104 Single pole, over 15 amperes 6/................... 4 (D) (D) a/ 11,067 a/ 25,385

3359315106 Other than single pole, including but

 not limited to double pole 3-way,

 4-way......................................................... 5 40,934 72,978 a/ 43,870 78,700

3359315108 Ac-dc (except mercury) 7/................................. 2 (D) (D) (D) (D)

3359315111 All other general use switches, including

 surface mounted, mercury, etc. 7/................. 7 c/ 48,355 c/ 19,464 c/r/ 63,280 r/ 29,910

Special-purpose switches:

3359315312 Appliance and fixture, including pendant

 and canopy types and variable speed

 controls................................................................ 10 a/ 25,803 b/ 59,465 a/r/ 36,419 r/ 77,874
Continued 2

Table 2. Quantity and Value of Shipments of Wiring Devices and Supplies: 2003 and 2002 

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

 No. 2003 2002

 Product Product description of

code cos. Quantity Value Quantity Value

3359315314 Precision (1/8-inch gap or less) snap-acting

 switches, excluding limit switches..................... 6 62,745 68,073 81,282 63,054

3359315616 Aircraft types 8/.................................................... 8 (D) (D) (D) (D)

3359315218 Automotive types.................................................. 19 a/ 200,518 a/ 537,108 r/ 271,940 r/ 643,480

3359315321 All other special-purpose switches, including

 foot actuated, light sensing and signal

 actuated 8/.......................................................... 21 115,216 315,035 116,628 317,428

Dimmers:

 Incandescent:

3359315422 Infinitely variable, 600 watts or less 9/............ 4 (D) (D) 8,815 108,082

3359315424 Infinitely variable, over 600 watts 9/............... 5 (D) (D) c/ 643 a/ 27,099

3359315426 All other types, including but not limited to

 portable lamps and high-low switches 9/........... 5 15,408 194,434 2,282 73,518

3359317 Metal contacts, precious and other........................... 15 (S) 174,483 (S) 180,210

3359319 Wire connectors, including connectors used

 under national electrical application..................... 50 29,566,615 1,185,934 r/ 30,122,023 1,199,604

3359319102 Pressure connectors, where pressure is

 applied by screw, cone, or mechanical

 device................................................................ 18 b/ 530,282 144,226 a/ 523,127 149,048

3359319104 Compression connectors, uninsulated 

 terminals and splicers, tool installed.............. 20 3,155,919 179,353 3,618,320 183,924

3359319106 Preinsulated terminals and splicers, tool

 installed............................................................. 14 589,523 111,516 773,808 108,805

3359319108 Banded or strip terminals and splicers,

 machine installed.............................................. 7 1,500,180 47,463 1,804,104 51,237

3359319111 Pigtail connectors, including wire nuts 10/........ 8 (D) (D) (D) (D)

3359319112 Blade or pin type, separable terminations

 and splicers 10/................................................ 8 (D) (D) (D) (D)

3359319114 Other wire connectors, n.e.c., including

 solder type 10/................................................. 24 23,790,711 703,376 c/r/ 23,402,664 706,590

335931A Other current-carrying wiring devices,

 including attachment plug caps, connector

 bodies, lightening arrestors, pin and sleeve

 convenience power outlets, etc. ............................ 80 (X) 1,311,152 (X) 1,426,508

 Attachment plug caps and flanged outlets,

 including motor bases, all types; including

 fused, fuseless, switch, and switchless: 

335931A102 2-pole, 2-wire, all types, general use

 use locking and nonlocking, all

 amperages................................................. 6 a/ 13,054 6,780 a/ 16,843 9,160

 2-pole, 3-wire and up:

335931A104 Locking, all amperes................................. 6 a/ 762 3,511 b/ 850 3,590

335931A106 Locking, 20 amperes and over.................. 6 c/ 3,673 21,241 c/ 3,407 19,208

335931A107 Nonlocking, all amperes 11/..................... 10 (D) (D) (D) (D)

335931A112 All other types (except pin and sleeve),

 including dust and explosion proof,

 appliance and other special

 application 11/......................................... 4 c/ 65,037 123,335 c/r/ 62,345 r/ 118,102

 Connector bodies and flanged outlets, all

 types:

335931A114 2-pole, 2-wire, all types, all amperages......... 4 (D) (D) (D) (D)

 2-pole, 3-wire and up:

335931A116 Locking, 15 amperes and under.................. 7 a/ 3,476 29,488 a/ 3,204 26,700

335931A118 Locking, 20 amperes and over.................... 8 1,142 15,774 1,027 14,574

335931A119 Nonlocking, all amperes.............................. 7 4,756 20,815 a/ 5,558 20,876

335931A124 All other types, except pin and sleeve,

 including dust and explosion proof,

 appliance, and other special application..... 6 c/ (D) (D) (D) (D)

 Pin and sleeve convenience and power 

 outlets, attachment plug caps and 

 connector bodies:

 Pin and sleeve, general-purpose (120

 volts and over, 20 amperes and over):

335931A126 Convenience and power outlets 12/.... 7 (D) (D) (D) (D)

335931A128 Attachment plug caps.......................... 6 37 4,702 80 9,093

335931A131 Connector bodies................................. 6 (D) (D) (D) (D)
Continued 3

Table 2. Quantity and Value of Shipments of Wiring Devices and Supplies: 2003 and 2002 

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

 No. 2003 2002

 Product Product description of

code cos. Quantity Value Quantity Value

335931A132 All other pin and sleeve, including dust

 and explosion proof 20 amperes types,

 etc. 12/......................................................... 4 11,949 76,719 25,356 r/ 105,933

335931A134 Fluorescent starters......................................... 3 (D) (D) b/r/ 1,680 r/ 484

335931A136 Terminal blocks............................................... 17 407,220 381,459 462,378 385,512

335931A138 Lightning arrestors for alternating current

 power transmission systems and sub-

 stations; U.S. designation, station and

 intermediate, I.E.C. designation 10ka and

 and 5ka Series A............................................ 4 (X) 27,966 (X) 31,943

335931A141 Lightning arrestors for alternating current

 power distribution systems and sub-

 stations; U.S. designation distribution

 and secondary I.E.C. designation 5ka

 Series B, 2.5ka and 1.5ka.............................. 4 (X) 105,052 (X) 112,587

335931A144 Surge suppressors, designed for equipment

 operating on 110/120 volt circuits............... 14 (X) a/ 85,229 (X) b/ 100,702

335931A146 Electric harnesses and assemblies, 

 excluding engine harnesses (from

 purchased wire)............................................ 17 (X) 119,402 (X) 156,610

335931A148 All other wiring devices with integral

 ground fault circuit interrupting

 capabilities, excluding circuit breakers 13/.. 3 (X) (D) (X) (D)

335931A151 Miscellaneous, including combination 

 devices, adapters, current taps, surface

 surface extensions, rosettes, choke coils,

 rail bonds, and overhead trolley line

 materials 13/................................................ 24 (X) 289,679 (X) 311,434

335932 Noncurrent-carrying wiring devices.................... (X) (X) 3,750,435 (X) 4,021,021

3359321 Pole and transmission line hardware............. 24 (X) 698,571 (X) 717,005

3359321102 Pole and transmission line construction

 materials, also known as overhead and

 underground line hardware for electric

 transmission, distribution, and

 communication lines............................... 18 (X) a/ 524,152 (X) r/ 551,931

3359321104 Pole and transmission line anchors 14/..... 4 (X) (D) (X) (D)

3359321106 All other pole and transmission line 

 hardware 14/........................................... 9 (X) 174,419 (X) r/ 165,074

3359323 Electrical conduit and conduit fittings........... 41 (X) 1,662,397 (X) 1,914,934

3359323101 Rigid metal conduit, excluding couplings,

 nipples, bends, and elbows: 6 216,531 206,687 239,194 231,296

3359323106 Nonmetallic conduit (1,000 lbs).................. 6 568,354 257,713 708,709 291,271

3359323108 Electrical metallic (short tons).................... 5 444,197 370,257 465,047 416,188

3359323111 Flexible steel and aluminum conduit 

 (1,000 feet)................................................ 3 b/ 209,215 70,941 a/ 194,938 67,118

3359323112 Flexible nonmetallic conduit (1,000

 pounds)..................................................... 7 a/ 109,790 47,033 205,415 83,891

3359323114 Raceways and wire ways, including

 fittings, metal........................................... 8 (X) 111,872 (X) 121,050

3359323116 Ventilated cable tray and accessories......... 5 (X) 41,575 (X) 54,417

3359323118 Cast conduit bodies, covers, and

 gaskets 15/............................................. 6 (X) (D) (X) (D)

 Rigid conduit fittings, including couplings,

 nipples, bends, and elbows:

3359323221 Couplings, connectors, and unions 15/.... 11 (X) 101,783 (X) r/ 123,474

3359323222 Locknuts and bushings............................. 7 (X) 21,784 (X) 22,751

3359323224 All other rigid conduit fittings.................. 6 (X) 49,991 (X) 47,553

3359323226 Nonmetallic conduit fittings..................... 7 (X) 94,361 (X) 133,353

 EMT fittings (couplings and connectors):

3359323228 Gland type................................................. 4 (X) 19,389 (X) 18,840

3359323231 Set-screw type........................................... 5 (X) 21,442 (X) 21,657

3359323232 All others.................................................. 6 (X) a/ 6,340 (X) 8,711

3359323234 Service entrance caps, ells, and

 connectors................................................... 6 (X) 3,956 (X) 6,952

 Cable, cord, and flexible conduit fittings:

3359323236 Armored cable, metallic sheathed

 cable, and flexible conduit fittings.......... 10 (X) 107,291 (X) a/ 137,054
Continued 4

Table 2. Quantity and Value of Shipments of Wiring Devices and Supplies: 2003 and 2002 

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

 No. 2003 2002

 Product Product description of

code cos. Quantity Value Quantity Value

3359323238 Liquid-tight flexible conduit fittings........... 8 (X) 74,234 (X) 77,049

3359323241 Nonmetallic sheathed cable and cord

 fittings..................................................... 8 (X) 14,186 (X) 12,638

3359323242 Other electric conduit fittings..................... 9 (X) 41,562 (X) 39,671

3359325 Other noncurrent-carrying wiring devices

 and supplies..................................................... 49 (X) 1,389,467 (X) r/ 1,389,082

 Stamped metal boxes, covers, and 

 accessories, including stamped conduit

 conduit boxes:

3359325102 Switch and receptacle boxes 16/.............. 11 (X) (D) (X) r/ 338,489

3359325204 Outlet boxes............................................. 4 (X) 143,312 (X) 136,963

3359325206 Covers...................................................... 7 (X) 43,919 (X) 37,935

3359325208 Supports, bar hangers, and other 

 accessories 16/...................................... 8 (X) 465,956 (X) a/ 60,139

 Cast metal boxes, covers, gaskets, and

 accessories:

3359325311 FS and FD switch and receptacle type........ 6 (X) 14,949 (X) 15,285

3359325312 Outlet type 17/.......................................... 5 (X) (D) (X) 42,449

3359325314 Junction type 17/....................................... 12 (X) 53,844 (X) r/ 33,486

 Switch, outlet, FM/TV, and telephone wall

 plates:

3359325316 Metallic...................................................... 7 40,210 25,834 49,969 27,657

3359325318 Nonmetallic................................................ 7 390,916 82,888 a/ 449,101 99,650

3359325321 Plastic boxes and covers................................ 14 (X) 213,369 (X) r/ 236,101

3359325322 Floor boxes and covers.................................. 7 (X) 46,970 (X) 38,213

3359325324 Other noncurrent-carrying wiring devices

 and supplies................................................. 24 (X) 298,426 (X) r/ 322,715

 D Data withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual companies. n.e.c. Not elsewhere classified. r/Revised by 5 percent 

or more from previously published data. S Data does not meet publication standards. X Not applicable. 

 1/Product code 3359311102 is combined with product code 3359311112 to avoid disclosing data for individual companies. 

 2/Product codes 3359311106 and 3359311108 are combined with product code 3359311111 to avoid disclosing data for 

individual companies. 

 3/Product codes 3359311116, 33593111118, and 3359311121 are combined with product code 3359311122 to avoid disclosing 

data for individual companies. 

 4/Product codes 3359313102, 3359313104, and 3359313114 are combined with product code 3359313116 to avoid disclosing 

data for individual companies. 

 5/Product code 3359313106 is combined with product code 3359313108 to avoid disclosing data for individual companies. 

 6/For 2003, product codes 3359315102 and 3359315104 are combined to avoid disclosing data for individual companies. 

 7/Product code 3359315108 is combined with product code 3359315111 to avoid disclosing data for individual companies. 

 8/Product code 3359315616 is combined with product code 3359315321 to avoid disclosing data for individual companies. 

 9/For 2003, product codes 3359315422 and 3359315424 are combined with product code 33593195426 to avoid disclosing 

data for individual companies. 

 10/Product codes 3359319111 and 3359319112 are combined with product code 3359319114 to avoid disclosing data for 

individual companies. 

 11/Product code 335931A107 is combined with product code 335931A112 to avoid disclosing data for individual companies. 

 12/Product code 335931A126 is combined with product code 335931A132 to avoid disclosing data for individual companies. 

 13/Value of shipments for product code 335931A148 is combined with product code 335931A151 to avoid disclosing data for 

individual companies. 

 14/Value of shipments for product code 3359321104 is combined with product code 3359321106 to avoid disclosing data for 

individual companies. 

 15/Value of shipments for product code 3359323118 is combined with product code 3359323221 to avoid disclosing data for 

individual companies. 

 16/For 2003, value of shipments for product code 3359325102 is combined with product code 3359325208 to avoid disclosing 

data for individual companies. 

 17/For 2003, product code 3359325312 is combined with product code 3359325314 to avoid disclosing data for individual 

companies. 

 Note: Percent of estimation of each item is indicated as follows: a/10 to 25 percent of this item is estimated. b/25 to 50 

percent of this item is estimated. c/Over 50 percent of this item is estimated. 
Table 3. Value of Shipments, Exports, and Imports of Selected Wiring Devices: 2003 and 2002 

[Millions of dollars] 

 Exports of

Manufacturers' domestic

 Product description shipments merchandise Imports for

f.o.b. plant 1/ at port 1/2/ consumption 1/3/

2003

Lampholders........................................ 102.6 38.2 65.9

Metal contacts..................................... 174.5 139.0 72.3

2002

Lampholders........................................ 116.5 33.7 63.8

Metal contacts..................................... 180.2 142.6 72.2

 1/For comparison of the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)-based 

product codes with Schedule B export codes and HTSUSA import codes, see Table 4. 

 2/Source: Census Bureau report EM 545, U.S. Exports. 

 3/Source: Census Bureau report IM 145, U.S. Imports for Consumption. 
Table 4. Comparison of the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)-Based Product

 Codes with Schedule B Export Codes and HTSUSA Import Codes: 2003 

Product Export Import

code Production description code 1/ code 2/

3359311 Lampholders............................................................... 8536.61.0000 8536.61.0000

3359317 Metal contacts............................................................. 8538.90.7040 8538.90.8040

3359315102, Switches, other than dimmers.................................... 8535.30.0040 8535.30.0040

 104, 106, 108, 8536.50.9065 8536.50.9025

 111, 218, 312, 8536.50.9035

 314, 321, 616 8536.50.9050

8536.50.9055

*8536.50.9065

3359315422, Dimmer switches........................................................ *8533.39.0040 *8533.39.0040

 424, 426 8536.50.9040

3359319 Wire connectors.......................................................... 8536.69.5050 *8536.69.8000

3359323 Conduit fittings.......................................................... *8547.20.0000 8547.20.0000

8547.90.0010 8547.90.0010

*8547.90.0020 *8547.90.0020

*8547.90.0030 *8547.90.0030

*8547.90.0040 *8547.90.0040

 *This code is partially correlated with the products described. 

 1/Source: Harmonized System-Based Schedule B, Statistical Classification of Domestic and 

Foreign Commodities Exported for the United States. 

 2/Source: Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, Annotated (2003). 
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 Foodservices

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 5percent 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 wiring devices and supplies have been

collected by the Census Bureau since 1960. Historical

data may be obtained from Current Industrial Reports

available at your local Federal Depository Library.