This sector comprises establishments primarily engaged in the mechanical, physical, or chemical transformation of materials, substances, or components into new products. Establishments in this sector are often described as plants, factories, or mills. These establishments generally use power-driven machines and material-handling equipment. This sector may also include establishments that transform materials or substances into new products by hand or in the worker’s home, and those engaged in selling products made on the premises to the general public. This includes bakeries, candy stores, and custom tailors. This sector produces both finished products, ready for use or consumption, and semi-finished products that serve as input for further manufacturing.

Manufacturing establishments often perform activities that are considered to be out of the manufacturing realm, such as research and development, administrative functions, or warehousing. When separate establishments within the manufacturing firm perform these non-Manufacturing activities, they are classified in the NAICS sector that includes the activities performed by the establishments.

Ninety-eight percent of the Rhode Island employment classified in the Manufacturing sector was previously classified in the Manufacturing division under SIC. A small portion of the sector employment is from the Retail Trade division (2%). Publishing and the combined activity of Printing and Publishing (which accounted for approximately 4 percent of the Manufacturing division employment under the SIC structure) is now classified in NAICS’ new Information Sector.

Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training
Labor Market Information
1511 Pontiac Avenue
Cranston, RI 02920-4407

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