SIC 3492 Fluid Power Valves and Hose Fittings

Contenidos

• NAICS CODE(S).
• INDUSTRY SNAPSHOT.
• ORGANIZATION AND STRUCTURE.
• BACKGROUND AND DEVELOPMENT.
• CURRENT CONDITIONS.
• INDUSTRY LEADERS.
• RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY.
• FURTHER READING.

SIC 3492

This classification covers establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing hydraulic and pneumatic valves, hose and tube fittings, and hose assemblies for fluid power systems. Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing fluid power cylinders are classified in SIC 3593: Fluid Power Cylinders and Actuators; those manufacturing fluid power pumps are classified in SIC 3594: Fluid Power Pumps and Motors; and those manufacturing hydraulic intake and exhaust motor vehicle valves are classified in SIC 3592: Carburetors, Pistons, Piston Rings, and Valves.

NAICS CODE(S)

332912

Fluid Power Valve and Hose Fitting Manufacturing

INDUSTRY SNAPSHOT

The National Fluid Power Association (NFPA) calculated the total U.S. fluid power market at $10.6 billion in 2003. The hydraulic segment represented $7.8 billion of this total, and the pneumatic segment represented $2.7 billion. The U.S. government estimated shipment values for fluid power valves and hose fittings at more than $6.2 billion in 2002. The 2003 value of direct exports of U.S.-manufactured fluid power products, according to the NFPA, was $1.6 billion. The leading states for the production of fluid power valves and hose fittings are all east of the Mississippi and include Connecticut, Minnesota, Texas, New Jersey, Michigan, and Ohio.

ORGANIZATION AND STRUCTURE

According to the NFPA, fluid power is energy that is transmitted and controlled through a pressurized fluid—liquid or gas. Fluid power valves regulate the liquid or gas as it moves through valves, hoses, and fittings. The term fluid power thus applies to both hydraulics and pneumatics. Hydraulics utilizes liquid, oil, or water under pressure, while pneumatics refers to the use of compressed air. Fluid power is often used in conjunction with other technologies such as sensors, transducers, and microprocessors. Included in the total fluid power market are fluid power valves and fittings, as well as hydraulic and pneumatic pumps, cylinders, rotary actuators, motors, filters, hose accumulators, air preparation accessories, stationary compressors, and other products.

The fluid power industry is generally divided into three large segments: mobile hydraulic, industrial hydraulic, and pneumatic. Historically, mobile hydraulic applications have accounted for about 50 percent of fluid power sales while the other two segments each share about 25 percent of the market. The mobile hydraulic segment (heavy truck, construction equipment, and agricultural machinery), although the largest, is also the most volatile.

The aerospace, construction equipment, heavy truck, agricultural equipment, and machine tool and materials handling industries account for about 75 percent of total fluid power consumption in the United States. The other 25 percent is divided amongst more than 500 other industries. In 1992, the last year for which figures have been published, the top five product shares by type (in order of dollar value) were: nonaerospace-type hydraulic and pneumatic fittings and couplings for hose; aerospace-type hydraulic and pneumatic fluid power hose or tube end fittings and assemblies; aerospace-type hydraulic fluid power valves; nonaerospace-type...