Industries in the Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing subsector make furniture and related articles, such as mattresses, window blinds, cabinets, and fixtures. The processes used in the manufacture of furniture include the cutting, bending, molding, laminating, and assembly of such materials as wood, metal, glass, plastics, and rattan. However, the production process for furniture is not solely bending metal, cutting and shaping wood, or extruding and molding plastics. Design and fashion trends play an important part in the production of furniture. The integrated design of the article for both esthetic and functional qualities is also a major part of the process of manufacturing furniture. Design services may be performed by the furniture establishment's work force or may be purchased from industrial designers.
Furniture may be made of any material, but the most common ones used in North America are metal and wood. Furniture manufacturing establishments may specialize in making articles primarily from one material. Some of the equipment required to make a wooden table, for example, is different from that used to make a metal one. However, furniture is usually made from several materials. A wooden table might have metal brackets, and a wooden chair a fabric or plastics seat. Therefore, in NAICS, furniture initially is classified based on the type of furniture (application for which it is designed) rather than the material used. For example, an upholstered sofa is treated as household furniture, although it may also be used in hotels or offices.
When classifying furniture according to the component material from which it is made, furniture made from more than one material is classified based on the material used in the frame, or if there is no frame, the predominant component material. Upholstered household furniture (excluding kitchen and dining room chairs with upholstered seats) is classified without regard to the frame material. Kitchen or dining room chairs with upholstered seats are classified according to the frame material.
Furniture may be made on a stock or custom basis and may be shipped assembled or unassembled (i.e., knockdown). The manufacture of furniture parts and frames is included in this subsector.
Some of the processes used in furniture manufacturing are similar to processes that are used in other segments of manufacturing. For example, cutting and assembly occurs in the production of wood trusses that are classified in Subsector 321, Wood Product Manufacturing. However, the multiple processes that distinguish wood furniture manufacturing from wood product manufacturing warrant inclusion of wooden furniture manufacturing in the Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing subsector. Metal furniture manufacturing uses techniques that are also employed in the manufacturing of roll-formed products classified in Subsector 332, Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing. The molding process for plastics furniture is similar to the molding of other plastics products. However, plastics furniture producing establishments tend to specialize in furniture.
NAICS attempts to keep furniture manufacturing together, but there are two notable exceptions: seating for transportation equipment and laboratory and hospital furniture. These exceptions are related to that fact that some of the aspects of the production process for these products, primarily the design, are highly integrated with that of other manufactured goods, namely motor vehicles and health equipment.
3371 Household and Institutional Furniture and Kitchen
Cabinet Manufacturing
This industry group comprises establishments manufacturing household-type furniture, such as
living room, kitchen and bedroom furniture and institutional (i.e., public building) furniture,
such as furniture for schools, theaters, and churches.
33711 Wood Kitchen Cabinet and Countertop Manufacturing
See industry description for 337110 below.
337110 Wood Kitchen Cabinet and Countertop Manufacturing
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing wood or plastics
laminated on wood kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, and countertops (except freestanding). The
cabinets and counters may be made on a stock or custom basis.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing metal kitchen and bathroom cabinets (except freestanding) - classified in U.S. Industry 337124, Metal Household Furniture Manufacturing;
- Manufacturing plastics countertops - classified in U.S. Industry 326199, All Other Plastics Product Manufacturing;
- Manufacturing stone countertops - classified in U.S. Industry 327991, Cut Stone and Stone Product Manufacturing; and
- Manufacturing wood or plastics laminated on wood countertops (except kitchen and bathroom) - classified in U.S. Industry 337215, Showcase, Partition, Shelving, and Locker Manufacturing.
33712 Household and Institutional Furniture Manufacturing
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing household-type and
public building furniture (i.e., library, school, theater, and church furniture). The furniture
may be made on a stock or custom basis and may be assembled or unassembled (i.e., knockdown).
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing specialized hospital and/or dental furniture (e.g., hospital beds, operating tables, dental chairs) - classified in Industry 33911, Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing;
- Manufacturing wood or plastics laminated on wood kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, and countertops (except freestanding) - classified in Industry 337110, Wood Kitchen Cabinet and Countertop Manufacturing;
- Manufacturing office-type furniture and/or office or store fixtures - classified in Industry 33721, Office Furniture (including Fixtures) Manufacturing; and
- Repairing or refinishing furniture - classified in Industry 811420, Reupholstery and Furniture Repair.
337121 Upholstered Household Furniture Manufacturing
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing upholstered
household-type furniture. The furniture may be made on a stock or custom basis.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Reupholstering furniture or upholstering frames to individual order - classified in Industry 811420, Reupholstery and Furniture Repair;
- Manufacturing wood kitchen and dining room chairs with upholstered seats or backs - classified in U. S. Industry 337122, Nonupholstered Wood Household Furniture Manufacturing;
- Manufacturing metal kitchen and dining room chairs with upholstered seats or backs - classified in U.S. Industry 337124, Metal Household Furniture Manufacturing; and
- Manufacturing kitchen and dining room chairs (except wood and metal) with upholstered seats or backs - classified in U.S. Industry 337125, Household Furniture (except Wood and Metal) Manufacturing.
337122 Nonupholstered Wood Household Furniture Manufacturing
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing nonupholstered
wood household-type furniture and freestanding cabinets (except television, radio, and sewing
machine cabinets). The furniture may be made on a stock or custom basis and may be assembled or
unassembled (i.e., knockdown).
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing reed, rattan, plastics and similar furniture - classified in U.S. Industry 337125, Household Furniture (except Wood and Metal) Manufacturing;
- Manufacturing wood or plastics laminated on wood kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, and countertops (except freestanding) - classified in Industry 337110, Wood Kitchen Cabinet and Countertop Manufacturing;
- Manufacturing wood television, stereo, loudspeaker, and sewing machine cabinets (i.e., housings) - classified in U.S. Industry 337129, Wood Television, Radio, and Sewing Machine Cabinet Manufacturing; and
- Repairing or refinishing furniture - classified in Industry 811420, Reupholstery and Furniture Repair.
337124 Metal Household Furniture Manufacturing
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing metal
household-type furniture and freestanding cabinets. The furniture may be made on a stock or
custom basis and may be assembled or unassembled (i.e., knockdown).
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing metal laboratory and hospital furniture including beds - classified in Industry 33911, Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing.
337125 Household Furniture (except Wood and Metal) Manufacturing
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing household-type
furniture of materials other than wood or metal, such as plastics, reed, rattan, wicker, and
fiberglass. The furniture may be made on a stock or custom basis and may be assembled or
unassembled (i.e., knockdown).
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing concrete, ceramic, or stone furniture - classified in Subsector 327, Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing, according to the materials used;
- Manufacturing upholstered household-type furniture - classified in U.S. Industry 337121, Upholstered Household Furniture Manufacturing;
- Manufacturing metal household-type furniture - classified in U.S. Industry 337124, Metal Household Furniture Manufacturing; and
- Manufacturing nonupholstered wood household-type furniture - classified in U.S. Industry 337122, Nonupholstered Wood Household Furniture Manufacturing.
337127 Institutional Furniture Manufacturing
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing institutional-type
furniture (e.g., library, school, theater, and church furniture). The furniture may be made on a
stock or custom basis and may be assembled or unassembled (i.e., knockdown).
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing specialized hospital furniture (e.g., hospital beds, operating tables) - classified in U.S. Industry 339113, Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing;
- Manufacturing specialized dental furniture (e.g., dental chairs) - classified in U.S. Industry 339114, Dental Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing;
- Manufacturing wood kitchen cabinets, wood bathroom vanities, and countertops designed for permanent installation - classified in Industry 337110, Wood Kitchen Cabinet and Countertop Manufacturing;
- Manufacturing office-type furniture and/or office or store fixtures - classified in Industry 33721, Office Furniture (including Fixtures) Manufacturing; and
- Repairing or refinishing furniture - classified in Industry 811420, Reupholstery and Furniture Repair.
337129 Wood Television, Radio, and Sewing Machine
Cabinet Manufacturing
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing wood cabinets used
as housings by television, stereo, loudspeaker, and sewing machine manufacturers.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing plastics housings used by television, stereo, loudspeaker, and sewing machine manufacturers - classified in U.S. Industry 326199, All Other Plastics Product Manufacturing;
- Manufacturing metal housings used by television, stereo, loudspeaker, and sewing machine manufacturers - classified in U.S. Industry 332322, Sheet Metal Work Manufacturing;
- Manufacturing freestanding wood household-type cabinets (e.g., entertainment centers, stands) for consumer electronics - classified in U.S. Industry 337122, Nonupholstered Wood Household Furniture Manufacturing;
- Manufacturing freestanding metal household-type cabinets (e.g., entertainment centers, stands) for consumer electronics - classified in U.S. Industry 337124, Metal Household Furniture Manufacturing; and
- Manufacturing freestanding household-type cabinets (e.g., entertainment centers, stands) (except wood and metal) for consumer electronics - classified in U.S. Industry 337125, Household Furniture (except Wood and Metal) Manufacturing.
3372 Office Furniture (including Fixtures) Manufacturing
33721 Office Furniture (including Fixtures) Manufacturing
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing office furniture and/or
office and store fixtures. The furniture may be made on a stock or custom basis and may be
assembled or unassembled (i.e., knockdown).
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing millwork on a factory basis - classified in Industry 32191, Millwork;
- Manufacturing household-type and institutional-type furniture - classified in Industry 33712, Household and Institutional Furniture Manufacturing;
- Manufacturing refrigerated cabinets, showcases, and display cases - classified in Industry 33341, Ventilation, Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing; and
- Manufacturing metal safes and vaults - classified in Industry 33299, All Other Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing.
337211 Wood Office Furniture Manufacturing
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing wood office-type
furniture. The furniture may be made on a stock or custom basis and may be assembled or
unassembled (i.e., knockdown).
337212 Custom Architectural Woodwork and Millwork Manufacturing
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing custom designed
interiors consisting of architectural woodwork and fixtures utilizing wood, wood products, and
plastics laminates. All of the industry output is made to individual order on a job shop basis
and requires skilled craftsmen as a labor input. A job might include custom manufacturing of
display fixtures, gondolas, wall shelving units, entrance and window architectural detail, sales
and reception counters, wall paneling, and matching furniture.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing millwork on a factory basis - classified in U.S. Industry 321918, Other Millwork (including Flooring);
- Manufacturing wood office-type furniture on a stock or custom basis - classified in U.S. Industry 337211, Wood Office Furniture Manufacturing; and
- Manufacturing wood office-type furniture and store fixtures on a stock basis - classified in U.S. Industry 337215, Showcase, Partition, Shelving, and Locker Manufacturing.
337214 Office Furniture (except Wood) Manufacturing
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing nonwood
office-type furniture. The furniture may be made on a stock or custom basis and may be assembled
or unassembled (i.e., knockdown).
337215 Showcase, Partition, Shelving, and Locker Manufacturing
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing wood and nonwood
office and store fixtures, shelving, lockers, frames, partitions, and related fabricated products
of wood and nonwood materials, including plastics laminated fixture tops. The products are made
on a stock basis and may be assembled or unassembled (i.e., knockdown). Establishments
exclusively making furniture parts (e.g., frames) are included in this industry.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing refrigerated cabinets, showcases, and display cases - classified in U.S. Industry 333415, Air-Conditioning and Warm Air Heating Equipment and Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing;
- Manufacturing metal safes and vaults - classified in U.S. Industry 332999, All Other Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing; and
- Manufacturing wood or plastics laminated kitchen and bathroom countertops - classified in Industry 337110, Wood Kitchen Cabinet and Countertop Manufacturing.
3379 Other Furniture Related Product Manufacturing
This industry group comprises establishments manufacturing furniture related products, such as
mattresses, blinds, and shades.
33791 Mattress Manufacturing
See industry description for 337910 below.
337910 Mattress Manufacturing
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing innerspring, box
spring, and noninnerspring mattresses, including mattresses for waterbeds.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing individual wire springs - classified in Industry 33261, Spring and Wire Product Manufacturing; and
- Manufacturing inflatable mattresses - classified in Subsector 326, Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing.
33792 Blind and Shade Manufacturing
See industry description for 337920 below.
337920 Blind and Shade Manufacturing
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing one or more of the
following: venetian blinds, other window blinds, shades; curtain and drapery rods, poles; and/or
curtain and drapery fixtures. The blinds and shades may be made on a stock or custom basis and
may be made of any material.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing canvas awnings - classified in U.S. Industry 314912, Canvas and Related Product Mills; and
- Manufacturing curtains and draperies - classified in U.S. Industry 314121, Curtain and Drapery Mills.
Information courtesy of the U.S. Census Bureau.
