SIC 5088 Transportation Equipment and Supplies, Except Motor Vehicles

SIC 5088

This industry is comprised of establishments engaged in the wholesale distribution of transportation equipment and related supplies, excluding motor vehicles. Ships (except pleasure craft), combat vehicles, guided missiles, and space vehicles are included in the industry. Self-propelled golf carts, railroad equipment, and aircraft parts and supplies are also included. Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of motor vehicles are included in Industry Group 501 (motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts and supplies). Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of pleasure boats are included in SIC 5091: Sporting and Recreational Goods and Supplies.

NAICS CODE(S)

421860

Transportation Equipment and Supplies (Except Motor Vehicles) Wholesalers

In 2006, according to Dun & Bradstreet, there were 5,191 establishments engaged in the transportation equipment and supplies wholesalers industry. These companies employed approximately 48,834 people and earned $17.2 billion in revenue. The average sales of individual establishments were about $3.8 million. The four leading states in terms of sales dollars were Washington, Virginia, Florida, and then California. Combined, they generated nearly $10 billion.

Three separate specialties constitute this fragmented category. By number of establishments, the largest classification is aircraft and aeronautical equipment and supplies, which is followed by marine machinery, equipment, and supplies wholesalers, and finally other transportation equipment and supplies wholesalers, which includes sellers of equipment and supplies used by railroads, streetcars, buses, tramways, aerial hoists, and horse-drawn vehicles.

Aircraft and parts numbered 1,096 establishments or nearly 20 percent of the market. Aircraft equipment and supplies by themselves numbered 629 establishments and shared about 12 percent of the market. Marine supplies represented 603 establishments and shared less than 12 percent of the market.

During the early 1990s, the aerospace industry experienced declines in both the defense and civil segments. Although industry analysts anticipated recovery in the commercial segment of the industry during the second half of the decade, continuing stagnation in the defense market was expected because of continued U.S. government downsizing. The best growth opportunities were for niche segments such as business and commuter...