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Government contracting · 2022

NAICS codes

The North American Industry Classification System describes the work a business does. Search the complete Census 2022 hierarchy by code or by words in its official description.

2125 NAICS codes. Page 19 of 43.

42 Wholesale Trade

The Sector as a Whole The Wholesale Trade sector comprises establishments engaged in wholesaling merchandise, generally without transformation, and rendering services incidental to the sale of merchandise. The merchandise described in this sector includes the outputs of agriculture, mining, manufacturing, and certain information industries, such as publishing. The wholesaling process is an intermediate step in the distribution of merchandise. Wholesalers are organized to sell or arrange the purchase or sale of (a) goods for resale (i.e., goods sold to other wholesalers or retailers), (b) capital or durable nonconsumer goods, and (c) raw and intermediate materials and supplies used in production. Wholesalers sell merchandise to other businesses and normally operate from a warehouse or office. These warehouses and offices are characterized by having little or no display of merchandise. In addition, neither the design nor the location of the premises is intended to solicit walk-in traffic. Wholesalers do not normally use advertising directed to the general public. Customers are generally reached initially via telephone, in-person marketing, or by specialized advertising that may include Internet and other electronic means. Follow-up orders are either vendor-initiated or client-initiated, generally based on previous sales, and typically exhibit strong ties between sellers and buyers. In fact, transactions are often conducted between wholesalers and clients that have long-standing business relationships. This sector comprises two main types of wholesalers: merchant wholesalers that sell goods on their own account and agents and brokers that arrange sales and purchases for others generally for a commission or fee. (1) Establishments that sell goods on their own account are known as wholesale merchants, distributors, jobbers, drop shippers, and import/export merchants. Also included as wholesale merchants are sales offices and sales branches (but not retail stores) maintained by manufacturing, refining, or mining enterprises apart from their plants or mines for the purpose of marketing their products, and group purchasing organizations primarily purchasing and selling goods on their own account. Merchant wholesale establishments typically maintain their own warehouse, where they receive and handle goods for their customers. Goods are generally sold without transformation, but may include integral functions, such as sorting, packaging, labeling, and other marketing services. (2) Establishments arranging for the purchase or sale of goods owned by others or purchasing goods, generally on a commission basis are known as business-to-business electronic markets, agents and brokers, commission merchants, import/export agents and brokers, auction companies, group purchasing organizations (acting as agents), and manufacturers' representatives. These establishments operate from offices and generally do not own or handle the goods they sell. Some wholesale establishments may be connected with a single manufacturer and promote and sell the particular manufacturer's products to a wide range of other wholesalers or retailers. Other wholesalers may be connected to a retail chain, or limited number of retail chains, and only provide a variety of products needed by that particular retail operation(s). These wholesalers may obtain the products from a wide range of manufacturers. Still other wholesalers may not take title to the goods, but act as agents and brokers for a commission. Although, in general, wholesaling normally denotes sales in large volumes, durable nonconsumer goods may be sold in single units. Sales of capital or durable nonconsumer goods used in the production of goods and services, such as farm machinery, medium- and heavy-duty trucks, and industrial machinery, are always included in wholesale trade.

423 Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods

Industries in the Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods subsector sell capital or durable goods to other businesses. Merchant wholesalers generally take title to the goods that they sell; in other words, they buy and sell goods on their own account. Durable goods are new or used items generally with a normal life expectancy of three years or more. Durable goods merchant wholesale trade establishments are engaged in wholesaling products, such as motor vehicles, furniture, construction materials, machinery and equipment (including household-type appliances), metals and minerals (except petroleum), sporting goods, toys and hobby goods, recyclable materials, and parts. Agents and brokers primarily engaged in wholesaling durable goods, generally on a commission or fee basis, are classified in Subsector 425, Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers.

423120 Motor Vehicle Supplies and New Parts Merchant Wholesalers

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of motor vehicle supplies, accessories, tools, and equipment; and new motor vehicle parts (except new tires and tubes). Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in--

423130 Tire and Tube Merchant Wholesalers

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of new and/or used tires and tubes for passenger and commercial vehicles. Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in--

423140 Motor Vehicle Parts (Used) Merchant Wholesalers

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of used motor vehicle parts (except used tires and tubes) and establishments primarily engaged in dismantling motor vehicles for the purpose of selling the parts. Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in--

423210 Furniture Merchant Wholesalers

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of furniture (except hospital beds, medical furniture, and drafting tables). Illustrative Examples: Household-type furniture merchant wholesalers Outdoor furniture merchant wholesalers Mattresses merchant wholesalers Public building furniture merchant wholesalers Office furniture merchant wholesalers Religious furniture merchant wholesalers Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in--

423220 Home Furnishing Merchant Wholesalers

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of home furnishings and/or housewares. Illustrative Examples: Carpet merchant wholesalers Floor coverings (except wood flooring) merchant wholesalers Glassware, household-type, merchant wholesalers Chinaware, household-type, merchant wholesalers Lamps (i.e., lighting fixtures) merchant wholesalers Household-type cooking utensils merchant wholesalers Curtains merchant wholesalers Draperies merchant wholesalers Linens (e.g., bath, bed, table) merchant wholesalers Window shades and blinds merchant wholesalers Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in--

4233 Lumber and Other Construction Materials Merchant Wholesalers

This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of lumber, plywood, millwork, and wood panels; brick, stone, and related construction materials; roofing, siding, and insulation materials; and other construction materials, including manufactured homes (i.e., mobile homes) and/or prefabricated buildings.

423310 Lumber, Plywood, Millwork, and Wood Panel Merchant Wholesalers

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of lumber; plywood; reconstituted wood fiber products; wood fencing; doors and windows and their frames (all materials); wood roofing and siding; and/or other wood or metal millwork. Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in--

423320 Brick, Stone, and Related Construction Material Merchant Wholesalers

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of stone, cement, lime, construction sand, and gravel; brick; asphalt and concrete mixtures; and/or concrete, stone, and structural clay products. Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in--

423390 Other Construction Material Merchant Wholesalers

This industry comprises (1) establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of manufactured homes (i.e., mobile homes) and/or prefabricated buildings and (2) establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of construction materials (except lumber, plywood, millwork, wood panels, brick, stone, roofing, siding, electrical and wiring supplies, and insulation materials). Illustrative Examples: Flat glass merchant wholesalers Prefabricated buildings (except wood) merchant wholesalers Ornamental ironwork merchant wholesalers Fencing and fencing accessories (except wood) merchant wholesalers Plate glass merchant wholesalers Storage bins merchant wholesalers Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in--

423410 Photographic Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of photographic equipment and supplies (except office equipment). Illustrative Examples: Photofinishing equipment merchant wholesalers Television cameras merchant wholesalers Photographic camera equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers Video cameras (except household-type) merchant wholesalers Photographic film and plates merchant wholesalers Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in--

423420 Office Equipment Merchant Wholesalers

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of office machines and related equipment (except computers and computer peripheral equipment). Illustrative Examples: Automated teller machines (ATM) merchant wholesalers Calculators and calculating machines merchant wholesalers Cash registers merchant wholesalers Security safes merchant wholesalers Copying machines merchant wholesalers Point of sale terminals merchant wholesalers Paper shredders merchant wholesalers Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in--

423440 Other Commercial Equipment Merchant Wholesalers

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of commercial and related machines and equipment (except photographic equipment and supplies; office equipment; and computers and computer peripheral equipment and software) generally used in restaurants and stores. Illustrative Examples: Balances and scales (except laboratory) merchant wholesalers Commercial shelving merchant wholesalers Coin- or card-operated merchandising machine merchant wholesalers Electrical signs merchant wholesalers Commercial chinaware merchant wholesalers Partitions merchant wholesalers Commercial cooking equipment merchant wholesalers Store fixtures (except refrigerated) merchant wholesalers Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in--

423450 Medical, Dental, and Hospital Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of professional medical equipment, instruments, and supplies (except ophthalmic equipment and instruments and goods used by ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians). Illustrative Examples: Dental equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers Surgical dressings merchant wholesalers Electromedical equipment merchant wholesalers Patient monitoring equipment merchant wholesalers Hospital beds merchant wholesalers Prosthetic appliances and supplies merchant wholesalers Hospital furniture merchant wholesalers Surgical instruments and apparatus merchant wholesalers Medical and dental X-ray machines and parts merchant wholesalers First-aid kits (except household) merchant wholesalers Surgical and medical masks merchant wholesalers Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in--

423460 Ophthalmic Goods Merchant Wholesalers

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of professional equipment, instruments, and/or goods sold, prescribed, or used by ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians. Illustrative Examples: Binoculars merchant wholesalers Optometric equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers Ophthalmic frames merchant wholesalers Sunglasses merchant wholesalers Ophthalmic lenses merchant wholesalers

423490 Other Professional Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of professional equipment and supplies (except ophthalmic goods and medical, dental, and hospital equipment and supplies). Illustrative Examples: Church supplies (except silverware, plated ware) merchant wholesalers School equipment and supplies (except books, furniture) merchant wholesalers Drafting tables and instruments merchant wholesalers Scientific instruments merchant wholesalers Laboratory equipment (except medical, dental) merchant wholesalers Surveying equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in--

4235 Metal and Mineral (except Petroleum) Merchant Wholesalers

This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of products of the primary metals industries (including metal service centers) and coal, coke, metal ores, and/or nonmetallic minerals (except precious and semiprecious stones and minerals used in construction).

423510 Metal Service Centers and Other Metal Merchant Wholesalers

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of products of the primary metals industries. Service centers maintain inventory and may perform functions, such as sawing, shearing, bending, leveling, cleaning, or edging, on a custom basis as part of sales transactions. Illustrative Examples: Cast iron pipe merchant wholesalers Metal rods merchant wholesalers Metal bars (except precious) merchant wholesalers Metal sheets merchant wholesalers Metal spikes merchant wholesalers Metal ingots (except precious) merchant wholesalers Metal pipe merchant wholesalers Nails merchant wholesalers Metal plates merchant wholesalers Noninsulated wire merchant wholesalers Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in--

423520 Coal and Other Mineral and Ore Merchant Wholesalers

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of coal, coke, metal ores, and/or nonmetallic minerals (except precious and semiprecious stones and minerals used in construction, such as sand and gravel). Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in--

423620 Household Appliances, Electric Housewares, and Consumer Electronics Merchant Wholesalers

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of household-type gas and electric appliances (except water heaters and heating stoves (i.e., noncooking)), room air-conditioners, and/or household-type audio or video equipment. Illustrative Examples: Household-type sewing machines merchant wholesalers Household-type radios (including automotive) merchant wholesalers Household-type video cameras merchant wholesalers Household-type refrigerators merchant wholesalers Television sets merchant wholesalers Toothbrushes, electric, merchant wholesalers Curling irons, electric, merchant wholesalers Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in--

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 NAICS descriptions. Includes sectors, subsectors, industry groups, and industries.