SIC 5051 Metals Service Centers and Offices

SIC 5051

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in marketing semi finished metal products (except precious metals). Products of the industry include aluminum and copper (sold in bars, rods, sheets, pipes, plates, etc.), iron and steel products (such as rough castings, bearing piles, flat products, and semi finished products), lead, mercury, tin and tin base metals, and zinc. The industry also includes establishments engaged in the wholesale distribution of wire products (such as screening and bale ties), metal bars, nails, and metal tubing. Establishments primarily involved in the wholesale distribution of metallic ores (including precious metal ores) are classified in this industry. Establishments primarily involved in distributing semi finished precious metals are classified in SIC 5094: Jewelry, Watches, Precious Stones.

NAICS CODE(S)

421510

Metals Service Centers and Offices

The U.S. Census Bureau reported a total of 11,250 establishments within this industry in 2001, which were subdivided into three classifications: ferrous metals service centers (those operating with a warehouse), ferrous metals sales offices (those operating without a warehouse), and nonferrous metals service centers and offices. Ferrous metals contain iron; nonferrous metals do not contain iron.

In 2001 the U.S. Census Bureau reported that this industry employed 162,222 workers. Establishments within the industry posted a combined annual payroll of $7 million for that year. In 2000 approximately 168,576 individuals were employed by metals service centers and offices, while total industry sales were in excess of $7.3 million. In 2003, the number of establishments stood at approximately 11,975. Total annual sales for this industry were about $111,985 million in 2003. The average sales per establishment were about $13 million.

Ferrous metals service centers represented the largest segment of the industry, numbering 5,840 establishments, with combined sales totaling $47.8 billion. Ferrous metals sales offices numbered 2,388, with $28.5 billion in sales. The 2,053 nonferrous metals service centers and offices had combined sales of $24.8 billion.

According to Purchasing, service centers supply a third of all the metal fabricated by manufacturing. These service centers shipped an estimated 32.8 million tons in 1998, an increase of 4.1 percent compared to the previous year, out of the 128 million tons of ferrous...