SIC 3635 Household Vacuum Cleaners

Contenidos

• NAICS CODE(S).
• FURTHER READING.

SIC 3635

This classification covers establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing vacuum cleaners for household use. Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing vacuum cleaners for industrial use are classified in SIC 3589: Service Industry Machinery, Not Elsewhere Classified. Establishments primarily engaged in installation of central vacuum cleaner systems are classified in SIC 1796: Installation or Erection of Building Equipment, Not Elsewhere Classified.

NAICS CODE(S)

335212

Household Vacuum Cleaner Manufacturing

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the value of shipments for household vacuum cleaners (including parts and attachments) was $2.9 billion in the early 2000s, up from $1.8 billion a decade before. In 2003 "top ten" retailers such as Wal-Mart, Target, or Sears sold $2.6 billion in vacuum cleaners. That year, more than 1.87 million units were sold in the United States.

Vacuums remove 80 percent of soil from carpet, making them essential for carpet care. Vacuums are more effective if they have a rotating brush, beater bar, and powerful suction capabilities. Even with these features, they must be adjusted to carpet height, bags must be changed when full, and belts and brushes must be maintained.

The four primary categories of household vacuums are upright, canister, stick, and handheld models. The upright vacuum cleaner, which was the first vacuum to gain widespread acceptance in the United States, descended from the manual carpet sweeper. Uprights come in two styles: those with a vertically mounted soft collector bag and those with an exterior plastic shell that contains the bag. Because they have a rotating brush, uprights are usually better at cleaning carpets. Their limited suction makes them less efficient at cleaning upholstery and bare surfaces, however.

Stick vacuums are similar to upright cleaners, but they usually lack a rotating brush and are less adept at cleaning than either canister or uprights. Stick vacuums, though, are usually lightweight, easy to store, and inexpensive. The two types of handheld vacuums are electric and rechargeable.

Following solid industry growth during the 1960s and 1970s, the household vacuum cleaner industry experienced steady expansion during the 1980s. Prodded by new product introductions and positive demographic trends, vacuum cleaner sales rocketed from $775 million in 1982 to $1.87 billion in 1990, reflecting an average annual growth...