SIC 3593 Fluid Power Cylinders and Actuators

SIC 3593

This classification covers establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders and actuators for use in fluid power systems.

NAICS CODE(S)

333995

Fluid Power and Actuator Manufacturing

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 318 establishments operated in this category for part or all of 2004. Industry-wide employment totaled approximately 17,872 workers receiving a payroll of more than $850 million. Companies in this industry tended to be smaller in size with about 71 percent employing less than 100 workers. The Annual Survey of Manufactures reported that overall shipments for the industry were valued at more than $4.1 billion in 2005. Additionally, for the overall fluid power equipment manufacturing industry (also including fluid power pump and motor manufacturing), a combined total of 19,739 employees worked in production in 2005 (from a total of 30,927 employees), putting in more than 44 million hours to earn wages of nearly $839 million.

Companies in the fluid power cylinders and actuators industry manufacture hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders used in various devices, such as jacks, lifters, and machine tools. These devices are used to exert massive amounts of force in a controlled manner. One of the simplest machines utilizing a fluid power cylinder is the hydraulic press, which presses plastics into forms. Important markets for this industry included the aerospace and defense industries.

The industry leader for 2005 was Cleveland-based Parker Hannifin Corp., with sales of $9.4 billion (a 35 percent increase from their 2001 sales figures of $6.1 billion) and more than 57,000 employees. In second place was ITT Corp. of White Plains, New York, with more than $7.4 billion in 2005 sales and nearly 41,000 employees. Rounding out the top three was Irving, Texas-based Flowserve Corp., with nearly $2.7 billion in 2005 sales and 13,000 employees.

The three primary types of modern hydraulic cylinders are single-acting, double-acting, and differential. Single-acting devices consist of a large plunger, or piston, into which oil (or air in a pneumatic cylinder) is pumped. A valve keeps the oil from backing up into the pump and allows a controlled release of the pressure. Double-acting cylinders work similarly, but oil is pushed against one side of the cylinder, thus allowing a push or pull motion; these cylinders are used in construction machinery such as cranes and...

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