Industry Information

Standard Industrial Classification Codes (SIC Codes) are numerical codes designed by the U.S. Government in order to create uniform descriptions of business establishments.
SIC codes can be used to bring together companies that produce similar products or services. For instance, if you grow oranges on your farm, your neighbor grows lemon trees, and someone else cultivates limes, all of these activities are described by SIC Code #0174, "establishments primarily engaged in the production of citrus fruits."
 

Examples of SIC Hierarchy

In 1999, the United States Government started to transition away from collecting business statistics based on SIC Codes, and moved towards a new system, the North American Industry Classification System. The newer NAICS codes always contain 6 digits, and cover a much wider variety of industries, technologies, products and services, than the older SIC code system.  NAICS was designed by a joint agreement between USA, Canada and Mexico. This 6 digit system will lend itself towards more uniform definitions and make it easier to compare US industrial statistics with economic data from other countries.

Examples of NAICS Hierarchy

There are 20 sectors – covering business location of a primary activity with over 1,000 national industries.

For example: