SIC 3531 Construction Machinery and Equipment

SIC 3531

This industry includes establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing heavy machinery and equipment used primarily by the construction industries, such as bulldozers, cranes (except industrial plant overhead and truck-type cranes), dredging machinery, pavers, self-propelled backfillers, backhoes, aggregate spreaders, construction plows, and power shovels. This industry also includes establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing forestry equipment and certain specialized equipment, not elsewhere classified, similar to that used by the construction industries, such as elevating platforms, ship cranes and capstans, aerial work platforms, and automobile wrecker hoists. Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing mining equipment are included in SIC 3532: Mining Machinery and Equipment, Except Oil and Gas Field Machinery and Equipment; those manufacturing industrial plant overhead traveling cranes are classified under SIC 3536: Overhead Traveling Cranes, Hoists, and Monorail Systems; and those establishments manufacturing industrial truck-type cranes are classified under SIC 3537: Industrial Trucks, Tractors, Trailers, and Stackers.

NAICS CODE(S)

336510

Railroad Rolling Stock Manufacturing

333923

Overhead Traveling Crane, Hoist, and Monorail System Manufacturing

333120

Construction Machinery Manufacturing

INDUSTRY SNAPSHOT

In the late 1990s, low interest rates and a booming American economy fueled residential, public, and commercial construction in the United States, which in turn boosted demand for construction machinery and equipment. After experiencing its eighth year of consecutive growth in 1998, when the value of shipments reached $24 billion, the construction machinery industry began to weaken slightly. Shipments in 1999 dropped to $21.9 billion, before rebounding to $22.5 billion in 2000. In the late 1990s, 721 establishments were involved in the production of construction equipment, compared to 919 mid-decade. With 58 facilities, Wisconsin was home to the greatest number of construction equipment manufacturers. California and Illinois followed, with 56 and 51 establishments, respectively.

ORGANIZATION AND STRUCTURE

This industry provides several major categories of equipment for use by the larger construction industry. Earthmoving machinery is utilized by companies involved in residential and commercial construction, as well as those involved in highway construction and dam-building. Caterpillar Inc. is the industry leader in the production of earthmoving machinery, which has historically been the cornerstone...