Sporting and Athletic Goods Manufacturing
Description
This sector encompasses establishments involved in the production of sporting and athletic equipment, explicitly excluding clothing and shoes. These facilities transform raw materials into specialized goods designed for participation in a wide variety of physical activities, ranging from recreational sports to professional competition. Typical business activities include cutting, assembling, finishing, and testing products to ensure they meet rigorous safety and performance standards. The manufacturing process often involves complex engineering and advanced technology to create durable items such as baseball bats, tennis rackets, fishing rods, and gym machinery. Operators within this space vary from small family-owned workshops that focus on niche outdoor gear to large industrial complexes producing millions of units for global distribution. The scale of operation is diverse, yet many firms share a commitment to quality innovation and adherence to industry regulations. Economically significant players often hold patents or proprietary designs that give them a competitive edge in the marketplace. The industry serves as a critical upstream supplier to retailers, directly impacting consumer access to essential tools for fitness and leisure. It thrives on technological advancements that enhance product functionality while addressing environmental sustainability concerns in production methods. Ultimately, these establishments bridge the gap between material resources and active lifestyles, driving economic activity through export markets and domestic retail channels alike.
Hierarchy
| Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 33 | Manufacturing 2-digit sector | The Sector as a Whole The Manufacturing sector comprises establishments engaged in the mechanical, physical, or chemical transformation of materials, substances, or components into new products. The assembling of component parts of manufactured products is considered manufacturing, except in cases where the activity is appropriately classified in Sector 23, Construction. Establishments in the Manufacturing sector are often described as plants, factories, or mills and characteristically use power-driven machines and material handling equipment. However, establishments that transform materials or substances into new products by hand or in the worker's home and those engaged in selling to the general public products made on the same premises from which they are sold, such as bakeries, candy stores, and custom tailors, may also be included in this sector. Manufacturing establishments may process materials or may contract with other establishments to process their materials for them. Both types of establishments are included in manufacturing. Selected industries in the Manufacturing sector are comprised solely of establishments that process materials for other establishments on a contract or fee basis. Beyond these dedicated contract manufacturing industries, establishments that process materials for other establishments are generally classified in the Manufacturing industry of the processed materials. The materials, substances, or components transformed by manufacturing establishments are raw materials that are products of agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining, or quarrying as well as products of other manufacturing establishments. The materials used may be purchased directly from producers, obtained through customary trade channels, or secured without recourse to the market by transferring the product from one establishment to another, under the same ownership. The new product of a manufacturing establishment may be finished in the sense that it is ready for utilization or consumption, or it may be semi-finished to become an input for an establishment engaged in further manufacturing. For example, the product of the alumina refinery is the input used in the primary production of aluminum; primary aluminum is the input to an aluminum wire drawing plant; and aluminum wire is the input for a fabricated wire product manufacturing establishment. The subsectors in the Manufacturing sector generally reflect distinct production processes related to material inputs, production equipment, and employee skills. In the machinery area, where assembling is a key activity, parts and accessories for manufactured products are classified in the industry of the finished manufactured item when they are made for separate sale. For example, an attachment for a piece of metalworking machinery would be classified with metalworking machinery. However, component inputs from other manufacturing establishments are classified based on the production function of the component manufacturer. For example, electronic components are classified in Subsector 334, Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing, and stampings are classified in Subsector 332, Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing. Manufacturing establishments often perform one or more activities that are classified outside the Manufacturing sector of NAICS. For instance, almost all manufacturing has some captive research and development or administrative operations, such as accounting, payroll, or management. These captive services are treated the same as captive manufacturing activities. When the services are provided by separate establishments, they are classified in the NAICS sector where such services are primary, not in manufacturing. The boundaries of manufacturing and the other sectors of the classification system can be somewhat blurry. The establishments in the Manufacturing sector are engaged in the transformation of materials into new products. Their output is a new product. However, the definition of what constitutes a new product can be somewhat subjective. As clarification, the following activities are considered manufacturing in NAICS: <table width=100%><tr><td width=10%> </td><td><dl><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Milk bottling and pasteurizing;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Water bottling and processing;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Fresh fish packaging (oyster<br/> shucking, fish filleting);</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Apparel jobbing (assigning<br/> materials to contract<br/> factories or shops for<br/> fabrication or other contract<br/> operations) as well as<br/> contracting on materials<br/> owned by others;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Printing and related activities;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Ready-mix concrete production;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Leather converting;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Grinding lenses to<br/> prescription;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Wood preserving;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Lapidary work for the trade;</dt></dl></td><td width=10%> </td><td><dl><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Electroplating, plating, metal<br/> heat treating, and<br/> polishing for the trade;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Fabricating signs and<br/> advertising displays;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Rebuilding or remanufacturing<br/> machinery (i.e., automotive<br/> parts);</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Making manufactured homes<br/> (i.e., mobile homes) or<br/> prefabricated buildings,<br/> whether or not assembling/<br/> erecting at the customers'<br/> site;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Ship repair and renovation;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Machine shops; and</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Tire retreading.</dt></dl></td><td width=10%> </td></tr></table> Conversely, there are activities that are sometimes considered manufacturing, but which for NAICS are classified in another sector (i.e., not classified as manufacturing). They include: 1. Logging, classified in Sector 11, Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting, is considered a harvesting operation; 2. Beneficiating ores and other minerals, classified in Sector 21, Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction, is considered part of the activity of mining; 3. Constructing structures, assembling prefabricated buildings, and fabricating at the construction site by contractors are classified in Sector 23, Construction; 4. Breaking bulk and reselling in smaller lots, including packaging, repackaging, or bottling products, such as liquors or chemicals; assembling and selling computers on a custom basis; sorting and reselling scrap; mixing and selling paints to customer order; and cutting metals to customer order for resale are classified in Sector 42, Wholesale Trade, or Sector 44-45, Retail Trade; and 5. Publishing and the combined activity of publishing and printing, classified in Sector 51, Information, transform information into a product for which the value to the consumer lies in the information content, not in the format in which it is distributed (i.e., the book or software compact disc). |
| 339 | Miscellaneous Manufacturing 3-digit subsector | Industries in the Miscellaneous Manufacturing subsector make a wide range of products that cannot readily be classified in specific NAICS subsectors in manufacturing. Processes used by these establishments vary significantly, both among and within industries. For example, a variety of manufacturing processes are used in manufacturing sporting and athletic goods that include products such as tennis rackets and golf balls. The processes for these products differ from each other, and the processes differ significantly from the fabrication processes used in making dolls or toys, the melting and shaping of precious metals to make jewelry, and the bending, forming, and assembly used in making medical products. The industries in this subsector are defined by what is made rather than how it is made. Although individual establishments might be appropriately classified elsewhere in the NAICS structure, for historical continuity, these product-based industries were maintained. In most cases, no one process or material predominates for an industry. Establishments in this subsector manufacture products as diverse as medical equipment and supplies, jewelry, sporting goods, toys, and office supplies. |
| 3399 | Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing 4-digit industry group | This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in miscellaneous manufacturing, such as jewelry and silverware manufacturing, sporting and athletic goods manufacturing, doll, toy, and game manufacturing, office supplies (except paper) manufacturing, sign manufacturing, and all other miscellaneous manufacturing. |
| 33992 | Sporting and Athletic Goods Manufacturing 5-digit NAICS industry | See industry description for 339920. |
| 339920 | Sporting and Athletic Goods Manufacturing 6-digit U.S. detail | This sector encompasses establishments involved in the production of sporting and athletic equipment, explicitly excluding clothing and shoes. These facilities transform raw materials into specialized goods designed for participation in a wide variety of physical activities, ranging from recreational sports to professional competition. Typical business activities include cutting, assembling, finishing, and testing products to ensure they meet rigorous safety and performance standards. The manufacturing process often involves complex engineering and advanced technology to create durable items such as baseball bats, tennis rackets, fishing rods, and gym machinery. Operators within this space vary from small family-owned workshops that focus on niche outdoor gear to large industrial complexes producing millions of units for global distribution. The scale of operation is diverse, yet many firms share a commitment to quality innovation and adherence to industry regulations. Economically significant players often hold patents or proprietary designs that give them a competitive edge in the marketplace. The industry serves as a critical upstream supplier to retailers, directly impacting consumer access to essential tools for fitness and leisure. It thrives on technological advancements that enhance product functionality while addressing environmental sustainability concerns in production methods. Ultimately, these establishments bridge the gap between material resources and active lifestyles, driving economic activity through export markets and domestic retail channels alike. |
Need a supply chain stack that maps to this industry?
Use this NAICS classification as the starting point, then connect it to Item workflows across inventory, warehousing, order management, fulfillment, and transportation.
Classification References
- 01Manufacturing athletic apparel--are classified in Subsector 315, Apparel Manufacturing;
- 02Manufacturing athletic footwear--are classified in Industry 316210, Footwear Manufacturing;
- 03Manufacturing small arms and small arms ammunition--are classified in Industry 33299, All Other Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing;
- 04Manufacturing sleeping bags, backpacks, and tents from purchased fabrics--are classified in Industry Group 3149, Other Textile Product Mills;
- 05Manufacturing bicycles--are classified in U.S. Industry 336991, Motorcycle, Bicycle, and Parts Manufacturing; and
- 06Manufacturing boats (including heavy-duty inflatables)--are classified in U.S. Industry 336612, Boat Building.
Index Items
Archery equipment manufacturing
Athletic goods (except ammunition, clothing, footwear, small arms) manufacturing
Badminton equipment manufacturing
Bags, golf, manufacturing
Bags, punching, manufacturing
Bait, artificial, fishing, manufacturing
Balls, baseball, basketball, football, golf, tennis, pool, and bowling, manufacturing
Baseball equipment and supplies (except footwear, uniforms) manufacturing
Basketball equipment and supplies (except footwear, uniforms) manufacturing
Billiard equipment and supplies manufacturing
Bobsleds manufacturing
Boomerangs manufacturing
Bowling pin machines, automatic, manufacturing
Bows, archery, manufacturing
Boxing equipment manufacturing
Caddy carts manufacturing
Carts, caddy, manufacturing
Clubs, sporting goods (e.g., golf, Indian), manufacturing
Croquet sets manufacturing
Dumbbells manufacturing
Exercise machines manufacturing
Fencing equipment (sporting goods) manufacturing
Fishing tackle and equipment (except lines, nets, seines) manufacturing
Fitness equipment manufacturing
Flies, artificial fishing, manufacturing
Football equipment and supplies (except footwear, uniforms) manufacturing
Gloves, sport and athletic (e.g., baseball, boxing, racquetball, handball), manufacturing
Golfing equipment (e.g., bags, balls, caddy carts, clubs, tees) manufacturing
Gymnasium and playground equipment, manufacturing
Helmets, athletic (except motorized vehicle crash helmets), manufacturing
Hockey equipment (except apparel) manufacturing
Hockey skates manufacturing
Hooks, fishing, manufacturing
Ice skates manufacturing
Jogging machines, manufacturing
Leather gloves, athletic, manufacturing
Protectors, sports (e.g., baseball, basketball, hockey), manufacturing
Reels, fishing, manufacturing
Rods and rod parts, fishing, manufacturing
Roller skates manufacturing
Sailboards manufacturing
Scuba diving equipment manufacturing
Skateboards manufacturing
Skates and parts, ice and roller, manufacturing
Skis and skiing equipment (except apparel) manufacturing
Snowshoes manufacturing
Sporting goods (except ammunition, clothing, footwear, small arms) manufacturing
Squash equipment (except apparel) manufacturing
Sticks, sports (e.g., hockey, lacrosse), manufacturing
Surfboards manufacturing
Swimming pools, above ground, manufacturing
Tackle, fishing (except line, nets, seines), manufacturing
Tennis goods (e.g., balls, frames, rackets) manufacturing
Toboggans manufacturing
Track and field athletic equipment (except apparel, footwear) manufacturing
Wet suits manufacturing
How Item Can Help
The Warehouse Management System optimizes inventory for fast-moving sports equipment by streamlining picking and packing processes. It ensures high accuracy for diverse SKUs like gear and apparel, reducing shipping errors and operational costs.
The Order Management System provides real-time visibility into customer orders across multiple sales channels. This enables seamless order fulfillment and personalized promotions for athletes and team buyers, ensuring faster delivery of popular athletic goods.
Advanced analytics platforms identify trending sports products and predict seasonal demand spikes. These insights allow businesses to adjust manufacturing schedules and inventory levels to maximize sales during peak athletic seasons.
Item.com Tools
External Resources
Census.gov NAICS Detail
Official US Census Bureau definition and scope for NAICS 339920.
US Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis
Official government page defining the NAICS code for sporting goods manufacturing with detailed industry metrics.
Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association
Leading trade association providing resources and news specifically for the sporting and athletic goods sector.
US Census Bureau, NAICS Classification Guide
Public resource offering the official definitions and classification details for the 339920 industry code.
