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Manufacturing Survey
of Plant Capacity Utilization SURVEY OF PLANT CAPACITY UTILIZATION
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Survey of Plant Capacity Utilization (PCU) is to provide
statistics on the rates of capacity utilization for the U.S. manufacturing sector
and publishing sectors.
COVERAGE
Manufacturing establishments with 5 or more paid employees.
CONTENT
The PCU survey collects data on establishments' operational status,
value of actual production, estimated production attainable at full and emergency
conditions, reasons for operating at less than full production capacity, time
required to reach full production, and time required to reach emergency production
levels. The survey also collects data on work patterns by shift. These data
include days per week in operation, plant hours per week in operation, weeks
in operation in the quarter, total and temporary production workers and hours
worked.
FREQUENCY
The survey has been conducted from 1997 to the present. Previously
the survey was conducted annually from 1973 to 1988 and biennially from 1989
through 1996.
METHODS
The Survey of Plant Capacity Utilization includes approximately
17,000 manufacturing and publishing establishments selected from the Economic
Census. Establishments are selected with probabilities proportionate to their
value of shipments (or wages) within each industry. Reported data are for activities
taking place during the fourth quarter of the survey year.
PRODUCTS
Two publications result from the survey, an Advance
and Final
report. The Advance Report is a preliminary report
that displays capacity utilization rates, both full and emergency, at the U.S.
and 3-digit NAICS subsector levels. The Final Report is more detailed
and displays capacity utilization rates, both full and emergency, at the U.S.,
3, 4, 5 and 6-digit NAICS industry levels. The Advance Report is produced
based on approximately 70% response and the Final is based on approximately
80%. The Final publication is produced approximately 12 months from the end
of the reference year.
USES
Federal Reserve Board benchmark monthly estimates of capacity output and utilization. In addition, analyze change in use of capital, capital stocks and inputs related to capacity growth.
Defense Logistic Agency assess industry readiness to meet demand for goods under national emergency scenarios.
International Trade Administration identifying industries with potentially
adverse import penetration.
RELATED PROGRAMS
Annual
Capital Expenditures Survey
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You are here: Economic Programs Overview
Manufacturing
Survey of Plant Capacity Utilization
Last revised: Thursday, 27-Jul-2006 11:10:38 EDT
