SIC 5085 Industrial Supplies

SIC 5085

This industry is comprised of establishments engaged in the wholesale distribution of industrial supplies that are not included in another classification. Products of the industry include abrasives, bearings, industrial diamonds, printers' ink, refractory materials, rope (except wire), valves and fittings (except plumbers' valves and fittings) and non-paper containers such as bottles, crates, drums, and metal pails.

Plumbers' valves and fittings are included in SIC 5074: Plumbing and Heating Equipment and Supplies (Hydronics). Wire rope is included in SIC 5051: Metals Service Centers and Offices.

NAICS CODE(S)

421830

Industrial Machinery and Equipment Wholesalers

421840

Industrial Supplies Wholesalers

The 21,841 establishments in this industry employed some 194,078 workers in 2006, according to the D&B Sales & Marketing Solutions. These establishments were subdivided into nine specialties: general-line industrial supplies, approximately 40 percent of establishments; fasteners and fastening equipment, 13 percent of establishments; industrial tools, more than 2 percent; mechanical power transmission supplies, 2 percent; hydraulic and pneumatic supplies, 1 percent; industrial valves and fittings, 6 percent; welding supplies, 3 percent; industrial containers and supplies, 2 percent; and other industrial supplies such as abrasives, ropes, cordage, and industrial diamonds, 6 percent. States leading the industry in sales were Ohio ($6.9 billion), California ($4.6 billion), and New York ($3.9 billion), with estimated industry-wide sales totaling more than $52.5 billion in 2006.

During the early 1990s, the Industrial Distribution Association (IDA) reported that conditions within the industry were changing. The institutional market for industrial supplies, including governments, schools, and hospitals, had fallen considerably from its mid-1980s high. The IDA ranked metals fabrication supply as the leading national market for industrial suppliers. Other industries representing major clients included chemical, automotive, aircraft, and construction establishments.

The abrasives market also suffered from the general economic downturn. Noting variations by geographic region, however, abrasives sales rebounded in the more robust mid- and late 1990s global economy. Abrasive distributors had strong sales in 1997 and many companies expected their 1998 sales to top 1997 levels. Certain niche markets were...