The purpose of the Quarterly Survey of Plant Capacity Utilization (QPC) is
to provide quarterly statistics on the rates of capacity utilization for the
U.S. manufacturing sector. This quarterly survey replaces the annual PCU beginning in 2007. Manufacturing establishments with 5 or more paid employees. The QPC survey presents statistics on establishment operational
status, value of actual production, estimated production attainable at full
conditions, and reasons for operating at less than full production capacity.
The survey also collects data on work patterns by shift. These data include
days per week in operation, plant hours per week in operation, and weeks in
operation in the quarter. The QPC is conducted quarterly. It began as a pilot in 2007 and
has continued since that time. The Survey of Plant Capacity Utilization includes approximately
7,000 manufacturing and publishing establishments selected from the Economic Census.
Establishments are selected with probabilities proportionate to their value of
shipments within each industry. A report is released
approximately 80 days from completion of the quarter and displays capacity rates
at 95 industry levels defined by the FRB. The rates are based on approximately 65% response. The 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. The survey is the only source of quarterly statistics on U.S. industrial capacity. Annual
Capital Expenditures Survey
EXPLORE INFORMATION CONTINUE OVERVIEW
QUARTERLY SURVEY OF PLANT CAPACITY UTILIZATION (QPC)
PURPOSE
COVERAGE
CONTENT
FREQUENCY
METHODS
PRODUCTS
USES
SPECIAL FEATURES
RELATED PROGRAMS