Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts: 2001 Issued July 2002

Summary

MQ335C(01)-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 99.2 million units in 2001, from 104.7

able. Use: http://www.census.gov/mcd/. million units in 2000, a 5.3 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 47 percent of the quantity, and only 34 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 53 percent of the

your personal computer. quantity and 66 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 $580 million in 2001, compared to a

address is: www.stat-usa.gov/. Follow the level of $556 million in 2000. Quantity of

prompts to register. Also, you may call ballasts reached 52.5 million units, the first

202-482-1986 or 1-800-STAT-USA, for year that quantity of electronic type sold

further information. surpassed the level of magnetic sales quantity.

Electronic ballast unit value decreased for the

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS. The value of manu- eleventh consecutive year.

factures' shipments of fluorescent lamp

ballasts amounted to $875 million in 2001, a For general CIR information, explanation of 

decrease of 2.6 percent from shipments of general terms and historical note, see the 

$898 million in 2000. The quantity of appendix. 

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

6900, or call Chris Blackburn, 301-763-5167.

For mail or fax copies of this publication, please contact the Information Services Center, MCD, Washington, DC 20233-6900, or call 301-457-4673.

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: 1991 to 2001

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

 Magnetic type

Year Uncorrected Corrected 

 Total power-factor type power-factor type Electronic type

Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value 

2001............................................... 99,250 875,311 (D) (D) (D) (D) 52,548 580,315

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

1993........................................ 107,428 969,542 28,150 65,820 54,790 457,222 24,488 446,500

1992.......................................... 97,034 812,287 28,363 68,771 55,379 468,940 13,292 274,576

1991.......................................... 88,729 718,317 24,919 61,413 55,467 476,867 8,343 180,037

 D Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual companies.
Table 2. Shipments of Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts by Product: 2001

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

 Total First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Product Product description

code Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value

2001

3353115 Fluorescent lamp ballasts........................................................... 99,250 875,311 26,625 230,631 25,247 222,458 24,353 215,115 23,025 207,107

Magnetic type.................................................................................. 46,701 294,996 13,749 87,338 11,459 71,125 10,698 66,147 10,795 70,386

 Uncorrected power-factor type

 (less than 85 percent power factor)............................................. (D) (D) 4,027 14,152 (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 

 Preheat start............................................................................... (D) (D) 2,371 5,672 (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 

3353115103 Single-ended compact lamps 1/.................................... (D) (D) (D) (D) 579 1,298 581 1,271 548 1,234

3353115105 Linear and circline lamps

 up to 20 watt................................................................ 4,772 10,977 1,388 3,104 1,181 2,715 1,174 2,691 1,028 2,467

3353115107 Linear and circline lamps

 21 watts and over 1/................................................... (D) (D) 983 2,568 (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 

3353115109 All other magnetic uncorrected power-

 factor type, including rapid start.................................................. 6,444 34,438 1,656 8,480 1,580 8,577 1,628 8,778 1,580 8,603

Corrected power-factor type (85 percent

 power factor or above)...................................................... (D) (D) 9,722 73,186 (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 

 Slimline and instant start................................................................................................................. (D) (D) 1,654 17,388 (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 

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

 57W/72T12/IS.......................................................... (D) (D) 1,553 16,162 (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 

3353115113 Other slimline and instant start...................................... (D) (D) 101 1,226 (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 

 Rapid start......................................................................... (D) (D) 7,755 53,388 (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 

3353115115 One-lamp 40W/48T12/RS 2/..................................... (D) (D) (D) (D) 251 1,325 217 1,183 218 1,200

3353115117 Two-lamp 40W/48T12/RS............................................ (D) (D) 6,316 33,422 (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 

3353115119 Two-lamp 32W/48T8/RS 2/...................................... 597 4,153 383 2,400 89 756 66 529 59 468

 All other rapid start 3/........................................................ (D) (D) 1,056 17,566 (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 

3353115121 800 to 1000 mA 3/..................................................... (D) (D) 776 13,859 (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 

3353115123 1500 mA 3/........................................................................ (D) (D) 39 1,396 (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 

3353115125 Other rapid start 3/................................................... (D) (D) 241 2,311 (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 

 Preheat start 3/4/.......................................................................................................... (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 

3353115127 Single-ended compact lamps 3/4/.................................. (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 

3353115129 Linear and circline lamps 3/4/............................................................. (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 

3353115131 All other magnetic corrected

 power-factor type 3/4/.................................................... 3,403 47,644 313 2,410 r/1,100 15,312 919 13,614 1,071 16,308

Electronic type................................................................... 52,548 580,315 12,876 143,293 13,788 151,333 13,655 148,968 12,230 136,721

 Uncorrected power-factor type

 (less than 90 percent power factor)............................................. 142 2,088 r/44 r/603 r/36 r/526 31 531 31 428

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)............................................. 52,406 578,227 12,832 142,690 13,752 150,807 13,624 148,437 12,199 136,293

 Instant start:

3353115137 One- and two-lamp 32W/48T8................................................ 24,135 225,741 5,731 54,070 6,467 60,399 6,447 60,117 5,490 51,155

3353115139 Three- and four-lamp 32W/48T8................................................ 18,063 197,918 4,408 48,622 4,629 49,586 4,775 52,400 4,251 47,310

3353115141 Two-lamp 59W/96T8.......................................................... 1,547 22,826 409 5,912 425 6,199 319 4,765 395 5,950

3353115143 Two-lamp 75W/96T12/IS 5/........................................... (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 

3353115145 All other instant start 5/........................................... 1,160 15,915 319 4,385 299 4,059 266 3,567 276 3,904

 Rapid start:

3353115147 All 32W/48T8................................................................ 2,503 37,310 669 9,497 649 9,384 594 9,000 590 9,429

3353115149 All other T8, 4 foot and less 6/.......................................... (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 

3353115151 Two-lamp 40W/48T12/RS.................................................. 426 5,812 123 1,674 91 1,247 112 1,525 101 1,366

3353115153 800 mA 6/................................................................................................................................... (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 

3353115155 All other rapid start 6/........................................................ 4,178 62,912 1,093 16,658 1,036 16,257 1,037 15,162 1,012 14,835

3353115157 All other electronic corrected

 power-factor type..................................................... 394 9,793 80 1,872 156 3,676 74 1,901 84 2,344

 D Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual companies. mA Miliampere. r/Revised by 5 percent or more from previously published data.

 1/For first quarter, product code 3353115103 is combined with product code 3353115107 to avoid disclosing data for individual companies.

 2/For first quarter, product code 3353115115 is combined with product code 3353115119 to avoid disclosing data for individual companies.

 3/"For second through fourth quarters, "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.

 4/For first quarter, "preheat start" and product codes 3353115127 and 3353115129 are combined with product code 3353115131 to avoid disclosing

data for individual companies.

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

 6/Product codes 3353115149 and 3353115153 are combined with product code 3353115155 to avoid disclosing data for individual companies.
Table 3. Shipments of Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts by Product: 2000

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

 Total First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Product Product description

code Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value

2000

3353115 Fluorescent lamp ballasts........................................................... 104,771 898,524 26,461 216,784 26,658 224,120 26,275 235,322 25,377 222,298

Magnetic type.................................................................................. 55,448 343,008 15,728 96,214 14,571 88,449 12,409 77,072 12,740 81,273

 Uncorrected power-factor type

 (less than 85 percent power factor)............................................. 17,908 58,719 5,138 15,275 4,656 15,279 3,963 13,805 4,151 14,360

 Preheat start............................................................................... 10,990 24,871 3,291 7,333 2,907 6,560 2,389 5,519 2,403 5,459

3353115103 Single-ended compact lamps 1/.................................... (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 

3353115105 Linear and circline lamps

 up to 20 watt................................................................ 6,044 12,599 1,768 3,642 1,574 3,288 1,340 2,852 1,362 2,817

3353115107 Linear and circline lamps

 21 watts and over 1/................................................... 4,946 12,272 1,523 3,691 1,333 3,272 1,049 2,667 1,041 2,642

3353115109 All other magnetic uncorrected power-

 factor type, including rapid start.................................................. 6,918 33,848 1,847 7,942 1,749 8,719 1,574 8,286 1,748 8,901

Corrected power-factor type (85 percent

 power factor or above)...................................................... 37,540 284,289 10,590 80,939 9,915 73,170 8,446 63,267 8,589 66,913

 Slimline and instant start................................................................................................................. 6,427 67,566 1,924 19,897 1,725 17,476 1,297 14,209 1,481 15,984

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

 57W/72T12/IS.......................................................... 5,828 61,393 1,727 18,040 1,546 15,809 1,183 12,893 1,372 14,651

3353115113 Other slimline and instant start...................................... 599 6,173 197 1,857 179 1,667 114 1,316 109 1,333

 Rapid start......................................................................... 29,746 206,574 8,336 58,505 7,766 52,507 6,843 46,851 6,801 48,711

3353115115 One-lamp 40W/48T12/RS 2/.....................................(D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 

3353115117 Two-lamp 40W/48T12/RS............................................ 24,017 131,125 6,571 35,462 6,283 33,690 5,645 31,456 5,518 30,517

3353115119 Two-lamp 32W/48T8/RS 2/...................................... 1,578 10,165 449 2,924 410 2,526 391 2,578 328 2,137

 All other rapid start ........................................................ 4,151 65,284 1,316 20,119 1,073 16,291 807 12,817 955 16,057

3353115121 800 to 1000 mA ..................................................... 2,711 48,777 850 15307 668 12,089 527 9,101 666 12,280

3353115123 1500 mA ........................................................................ 148 5,544 45 1,615 35 1,315 32 1,246 36 1,368

3353115125 Other rapid start ................................................... 1,292 10,963 421 3197 370 2,887 248 2,470 253 2,409

 Preheat start 3/.......................................................................................................... (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 

3353115127 Single-ended compact lamps 3/..................................(D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 

3353115129 Linear and circline lamps 3/............................................................. (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 

3353115131 All other magnetic corrected

 power-factor type 3/.................................................... 1,367 10,149 330 2,537 424 3,187 306 2,207 307 2,218

Electronic type................................................................... 49,323 555,516 10,733 120,570 12,087 135,671 13,866 158,250 12,637 141,025

 Uncorrected power-factor type

 (less than 90 percent power factor)............................................. (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 

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) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 

 Instant start:

3353115137 One- and two-lamp 32W/48T8................................................ 21,007 203,875 4,483 43,784 5,046 48,230 5,959 58,554 5,519 53,307

3353115139 Three- and four-lamp 32W/48T8................................................ 16,330 183,370 3,496 39,666 3,803 42,660 4,752 53,575 4,279 47,469

3353115141 Two-lamp 59W/96T8.......................................................... 1,177 18,256 223 3,539 270 4,240 323 5,024 361 5,453

3353115143 Two-lamp 75W/96T12/IS 4/........................................... (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 

3353115145 All other instant start 4/........................................... 1,187 16,274 272 3,730 291 4,014 321 4,475 303 4,055

 Rapid start:

3353115147 All 32W/48T8................................................................ 3,615 57,054 773 11,589 1,151 17,698 914 15,366 777 12,401

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

3353115151 Two-lamp 40W/48T12/RS.................................................. 474 6,958 127 1,896 124 1,826 130 1,874 93 1,362

3353115153 800 mA ................................................................................................................................... (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 

3353115155 All other rapid start ........................................................ 3,461 45,104 883 11,301 840 10,704 955 12,571 783 10,528

3353115157 All other electronic corrected

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

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

 1/Product code 3353115103 is combined with product code 3353115107 to avoid disclosing data for individual companies.

 2/Product code 3353115115 is combined with product code 3353115119 to avoid disclosing data for individual companies.

 3/"Preheat start" and product codes 3353115127 and 3353115129 are combined with product code 3353115131 to avoid disclosing data for individual companies.

 4/Product code 3353115143 is combined with product code 3353115145 to avoid disclosing data for individual companies.
Table 4. Shipments of Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts by Distribution Channel: 2001 and 2000

[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

2001

 Fluorescent lamp ballasts............................................. 99,250 875,311 26,625 230,631 25,247 222,458 24,353 215,115 23,025 207,107

 Shipments to original equipment 

 manufacturers (OEM)......................................................... 73,370 585,434 19,975 155,503 18,833 151,018 17,955 144,724 16,607 134,189

 Shipments to distribution.............................................................. 25,880 289,877 6,650 75,128 6,414 71,440 6,398 70,391 6,418 72,918

Magnetic type.............................................................................. 46,701 294,996 13,749 87,338 11,459 71,125 10,698 66,147 10,795 70,386

 Shipments to original equipment

 manufacturers (OEM)......................................................... 35,852 185,545 10,554 54,671 8,947 45,960 8,123 41,223 8,228 43,691

 Shipments to distribution................................................................. 10,849 109,451 3,195 32,667 2,512 25,165 2,575 24,924 2,567 26,695

 Magnetic uncorrected power-factor type................................................................................................ (D) (D) 4,027 14,152 (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 

 Shipments to original equipment

 manufacturers (OEM)........................................................... (D) (D) 3,621 11,561 (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 

 Shipments to distribution................................................................. (D) (D) 406 2,591 (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 

 Magnetic corrected power-factor type............................................... (D) (D) 9,722 73,186 (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 

 Shipments to original equipment

 manufacturers (OEM)............................................................ (D) (D) 6,933 43,110 (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 

 Shipments to distribution................................................................. (D) (D) 2,789 30,076 (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 

Electronic type.......................................................................... 52,549 580,315 12,876 143,293 13,788 151,333 13,655 148,968 12,230 136,721

 Shipments to original equipment

 manufacturers (OEM)........................................................... 37,518 399,889 9,421 100,832 9,886 105,058 9,832 103,501 8,379 90,498

 Shipments to distribution................................................................. 15,031 180,426 3,455 42,461 3,902 46,275 3,823 45,467 3,851 46,223

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

 Shipments to original equipment

 manufacturers (OEM)............................................................. (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 

 Shipments to distribution................................................................. (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 

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

 Shipments to original equipment

 manufacturers (OEM)............................................................ (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 

 Shipments to distribution................................................................. (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 

2000

 Fluorescent lamp ballasts............................................. 104,771 898,524 26,461 216,784 26,658 224,120 26,275 235,322 25,377 222,298

 Shipments to original equipment 

 manufacturers (OEM)......................................................... 78,356 594,269 20,067 142,095 20,405 153,280 19,438 155,949 18,446 142,945

 Shipments to distribution.............................................................. 26,415 304,255 6,394 74,689 6,253 70,840 6,837 79,373 6,931 79,353

Magnetic type.............................................................................. 55,448 343,008 15,728 96,214 14,571 88,449 12,409 77,072 12,740 81,273

 Shipments to original equipment

 manufacturers (OEM)......................................................... 42,625 213,053 12,327 60,940 11,430 57,107 9,418 47,187 9,450 47,819

 Shipments to distribution................................................................. 12,823 129,955 3,401 35,274 3,141 31,342 2,991 29,885 3,290 33,454

 Magnetic uncorrected power-factor type................................................................................................ 17,908 58,719 5,138 15,275 4,656 15,279 3,963 13,805 4,151 14,360

 Shipments to original equipment

 manufacturers (OEM)........................................................... 16,227 49,788 4,686 13,099 4,245 13,002 3,570 11,721 3,726 11,966

 Shipments to distribution................................................................. 1,681 8,931 452 2,176 411 2,277 393 2,084 425 2,394

 Magnetic corrected power-factor type............................................... 37,540 284,289 10,590 80,939 9,915 73,170 8,446 63,267 8,589 66,913

 Shipments to original equipment

 manufacturers (OEM)............................................................ 26,398 163,265 7,641 47,841 7,185 44,105 5,848 35,466 5,724 35,853

 Shipments to distribution................................................................. 11,142 121,024 2,949 33,098 2,730 29,065 2,598 27,801 2,865 31,060

Electronic type.......................................................................... 49,323 555,516 10,733 120,570 12,087 135,671 13,866 158,250 12,637 141,025

 Shipments to original equipment

 manufacturers (OEM)........................................................... 35,731 381,216 7,740 81,155 8,975 96,173 10,020 108,762 8,996 95,126

 Shipments to distribution................................................................. 13,592 174,300 2,993 39,415 3,112 39,498 3,846 49,488 3,641 45,899

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

 Shipments to original equipment

 manufacturers (OEM)............................................................. (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 

 Shipments to distribution................................................................. (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 

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

 Shipments to original equipment

 manufacturers (OEM)............................................................ (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 

 Shipments to distribution................................................................. (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) 

 D Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual companies. 
Table 5. Shipments, Exports, Imports, and Apparent Consumption of Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts: 1991 to 2000

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

 Manufacturers' Export of domestic Imports for

 shipments merchandise 1/ consumption 3/

Product description

Product Value Value at 

code Quantity f.o.b. plant Quantity 2/ port 2/ Quantity 2/ Value 2/4/

3353115 Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts................................. 2001....................... 99,250 875,311 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

1993.......................... 107,428 969,542 8,117 64,007 62,705 385,130

1992........................... 97,034 812,287 10,382 64,789 52,977 277,672

1991............................. 88,729 718,317 6,142 38,778 35,808 152,194

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

 4/This value represents c.i.f. 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.