Glass Product Manufacturing Made of Purchased Glass
Description
Establishments in this sector primarily transform purchased raw glass into finished goods or semi-finished components through specialized processing techniques such as coating, laminating, tempering, or shaping. These operations serve as critical value-added links in the broader manufacturing supply chain, bridging the gap between basic glass producers and end-user applications in construction, automotive, and consumer goods industries. Typical business activities involve heavy industrial machinery to apply adhesive films, heat-treat glass sheets to increase strength, cut, anneal, or drill glass to precise specifications for specialized markets. The operators within this industry range from small, single-plant coating facilities serving local architectural firms to large-scale tempering complexes that ship thousands of square feet of processed glass nationwide. Many of these businesses function as contract manufacturers, outsourcing raw material sourcing while focusing entirely on the technical execution of surface treatments or structural modifications. The scale varies significantly, with some entities processing just a few thousand panels annually while others operate continuously as major hubs for the regional nonmetallic mineral sector. Their output directly impacts building safety, energy efficiency, and product durability across diverse industrial and commercial applications.
Hierarchy
| Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 32 | 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). |
| 327 | Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing 3-digit subsector | The Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing subsector is based on the transformation of mined or quarried nonmetallic minerals, such as sand, gravel, stone, clay, and refractory materials, into products for intermediate or final consumption. Processes used include grinding, mixing, cutting, shaping, and honing. Heat often is used in the process and chemicals are frequently mixed to change the composition, purity, and chemical properties for the intended product. For example, glass is produced by heating silica sand to the melting point (sometimes combined with cullet or recycled glass) and then drawn, floated, or blow molded to the desired shape or thickness. Refractory materials are heated and then formed into bricks or other shapes for use in industrial applications. The Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing subsector includes establishments that manufacture bricks, refractories, ceramic products, and glass and glass products, such as plate glass and containers. Also included are cement and concrete products, lime, gypsum, and other nonmetallic mineral products including abrasive products, ceramic plumbing fixtures, statuary, cut stone products, and mineral wool. The products are used in a wide range of activities from construction and heavy and light manufacturing to articles for personal use. Mining, beneficiating, and manufacturing activities often occur in a single location. Separate receipts will be collected for these activities whenever possible. When receipts cannot be broken out between mining and manufacturing, establishments that mine or quarry nonmetallic minerals, beneficiate the nonmetallic minerals, and further process the nonmetallic minerals into a more finished manufactured product are classified based on the primary activity of the establishment. A mine that manufactures a small amount of finished products is classified in Sector 21, Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction. An establishment that mines whose primary output is a more finished manufactured product is classified in the Manufacturing sector. Excluded from the Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing subsector are establishments that primarily beneficiate mined nonmetallic minerals. Beneficiation is the process whereby the extracted material is reduced to particles that can be separated into mineral and waste, the former suitable for further processing or direct use. Beneficiation establishments are included in Sector 21, Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction. |
| 3272 | Glass and Glass Product Manufacturing 4-digit industry group | The Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing subsector is based on the transformation of mined or quarried nonmetallic minerals, such as sand, gravel, stone, clay, and refractory materials, into products for intermediate or final consumption. Processes used include grinding, mixing, cutting, shaping, and honing. Heat often is used in the process and chemicals are frequently mixed to change the composition, purity, and chemical properties for the intended product. For example, glass is produced by heating silica sand to the melting point (sometimes combined with cullet or recycled glass) and then drawn, floated, or blow molded to the desired shape or thickness. Refractory materials are heated and then formed into bricks or other shapes for use in industrial applications. The Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing subsector includes establishments that manufacture bricks, refractories, ceramic products, and glass and glass products, such as plate glass and containers. Also included are cement and concrete products, lime, gypsum, and other nonmetallic mineral products including abrasive products, ceramic plumbing fixtures, statuary, cut stone products, and mineral wool. The products are used in a wide range of activities from construction and heavy and light manufacturing to articles for personal use. Mining, beneficiating, and manufacturing activities often occur in a single location. Separate receipts will be collected for these activities whenever possible. When receipts cannot be broken out between mining and manufacturing, establishments that mine or quarry nonmetallic minerals, beneficiate the nonmetallic minerals, and further process the nonmetallic minerals into a more finished manufactured product are classified based on the primary activity of the establishment. A mine that manufactures a small amount of finished products is classified in Sector 21, Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction. An establishment that mines whose primary output is a more finished manufactured product is classified in the Manufacturing sector. Excluded from the Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing subsector are establishments that primarily beneficiate mined nonmetallic minerals. Beneficiation is the process whereby the extracted material is reduced to particles that can be separated into mineral and waste, the former suitable for further processing or direct use. Beneficiation establishments are included in Sector 21, Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction. |
| 32721 | Glass and Glass Product Manufacturing 5-digit NAICS industry | This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing glass and/or glass products. Establishments in this industry may manufacture glass and/or glass products by melting silica sand or cullet, or from purchased glass. |
| 327215 | Glass Product Manufacturing Made of Purchased Glass 6-digit U.S. detail | Establishments in this sector primarily transform purchased raw glass into finished goods or semi-finished components through specialized processing techniques such as coating, laminating, tempering, or shaping. These operations serve as critical value-added links in the broader manufacturing supply chain, bridging the gap between basic glass producers and end-user applications in construction, automotive, and consumer goods industries. Typical business activities involve heavy industrial machinery to apply adhesive films, heat-treat glass sheets to increase strength, cut, anneal, or drill glass to precise specifications for specialized markets. The operators within this industry range from small, single-plant coating facilities serving local architectural firms to large-scale tempering complexes that ship thousands of square feet of processed glass nationwide. Many of these businesses function as contract manufacturers, outsourcing raw material sourcing while focusing entirely on the technical execution of surface treatments or structural modifications. The scale varies significantly, with some entities processing just a few thousand panels annually while others operate continuously as major hubs for the regional nonmetallic mineral sector. Their output directly impacts building safety, energy efficiency, and product durability across diverse industrial and commercial applications. |
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Classification References
- 01Manufacturing glass packaging containers--are classified in U.S. Industry 327213, Glass Container Manufacturing;
- 02Manufacturing optical lenses (except ophthalmic), such as magnifying, photographic, and projection lenses--are classified in Industry 333310, Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing;
- 03Manufacturing ophthalmic (i.e., eyeglass) lenses--are classified in U.S. Industry 339115, Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing; and
- 04Manufacturing fiber optic cable from purchased fiber optic strand--are classified in U.S. Industry 335921, Fiber Optic Cable Manufacturing.
Index Items
Aquariums made from purchased glass
Ashtrays made from purchased glass
Blanks, ophthalmic lens and optical glass, made from purchased glass
Bricks, glass, made from purchased glass
Christmas tree ornaments made from purchased glass
Cooking ware made from purchased glass
Cut and engraved glassware made from purchased glass
Cutting, engraving, etching, painting or polishing purchased glass
Decorated glassware made from purchased glass
Doors, unframed glass, made from purchased glass
Electron tube parts, glass blanks, made from purchased glass
Fruits, artificial, made from purchased glass
Furniture tops, glass (e.g., beveled, cut, polished), made from purchased glass
Glass blanks for electric light bulbs made from purchased glass
Glass products (except packaging containers) made from purchased glass
Glass, automotive, made from purchased glass
Glassware for industrial, scientific, and technical use made from purchased glass
Glassware for lighting fixtures made from purchased glass
Glassware, art decorative and novelty, made from purchased glass
Glassware, cutting and engraving, made from purchased glass
Hand blowing purchased glass
Industrial glassware made from purchased glass
Insulating glass, sealed units, made from purchased glass
Insulators, electrical, glass, made from purchased glass
Laboratory glassware (e.g., beakers, test tubes, vials) made from purchased glass
Laminated glass made from purchased glass
Lamp shades made from purchased glass
Lens blanks, optical and ophthalmic, made from purchased glass
Medical glassware made from purchased glass
Mirrors, framed (except automotive) or unframed, made from purchased glass
Ornaments, Christmas tree, made from purchased glass
Ovenware made from purchased glass
Safety glass (including motor vehicle) made from purchased glass
Scientific apparatus glassware made from purchased glass
Scientific glassware made from purchased glass
Stained glass products made from purchased glass
Stemware made from purchased glass
Tableware made from purchased glass
Technical glassware made from purchased glass
Tempered glass made from purchased glass
Vacuum tube blanks, glass, made from purchased glass
Vases, glass, made from purchased glass
Watch crystals made from purchased glass
How Item Can Help
Optimizes the transportation of bulky, fragile glass pallets by calculating load efficiency and predicting delivery windows to prevent damage during transit.
Tracks glass inventory in real-time within warehouses to manage high-value stock and alert users to fragile items requiring special handling equipment.
Analyzes historical shipment data to identify bottlenecks in the logistics network and forecast supply chain disruptions affecting the flow of purchased glass materials.
Item.com Tools
External Resources
Census.gov NAICS Detail
Official US Census Bureau definition and scope for NAICS 327215.
Glass Packaging Institute
A leading trade association dedicated to advancing the glass packaging and finished glass product industry.
U.S. Census Bureau NAICS Definition
Official government documentation defining the manufacturing sector codes including made-of-purchased-glass operations.
Glass.org Industry Directory
A comprehensive industry directory providing market data and resources for manufacturers of glass products.
