Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) October 25, 2013 -- Like most wholesalers, operators in the Safety Equipment and Supplies Distributors industry seek to purchase goods at a discount and sell them at a premium. Unlike other wholesalers, the nature of safety equipment ensures a more stable level of demand thanks to federal and company-specific regulations mandating the use of safety equipment and supplies in certain hazardous work environments. In this way, overarching regulations and policies constitute a major form of industry assistance. “At the same time, a lack of substitutes for industry products limits external competition,” according to IBISWorld Industry Analyst Lauren Setar.
Revenue performance for the industry remains tied to two broad but well-defined downstream markets: manufacturing and construction. Those sectors demand a wide variety of safety equipment and supplies, from rubber mats used for standing for long periods to ionizers that reduce static electricity in the air. The performance of these downstream markets can be measured using the industrial production index as a proxy for overall manufacturing activity and the total value of construction as a gauge for demand from builders. As these indicators fluctuate, demand and revenue for related safety goods moves in kind. The number of work-related deaths also has a bearing on industry demand, as upticks in this metric can spur new legislation or product redesigns that drive replacement demand.
During the past five years, the Great Recession has reduced demand from key downstream sectors. Increased unemployment has reduced consumer spending, in turn driving industrial manufacturing down to five-year lows during 2009. “Likewise, the lack of consumer confidence has reduced construction activity in each year since 2007, hence lowering demand for related safety equipment and supplies,” says Setar. As a result, industry revenue is expected to decline at an annualized rate of 1.6% in the five years to 2013. In 2013, IBISWorld expects ongoing recoveries in key downstream markets and decreasing levels of unemployment will renew downstream demand and boost revenue 3.8%, thus bringing the industry's total to an estimated $11.4 billion.
For more information, visit IBISWorld’s Safety Equipment and Supplies Distributors in the US industry report page.
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IBISWorld industry Report Key Topics
Operators in the Safety Equipment and Supplies Distribution industry distribute and deliver safety equipment and supplies to businesses and consumers. Generally, these items are purchased in bulk for manufacturing, construction and other labor-intensive industries. Distributors with retail outlets are included, but manufacturers with retail outlets and suppliers of goods for medical and healthcare markets are excluded.
Industry Performance
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Current Performance
Industry Outlook
Industry Life Cycle
Products & Markets
Supply Chain
Products & Services
Major Markets
Globalization & Trade
Business Locations
Competitive Landscape
Market Share Concentration
Key Success Factors
Cost Structure Benchmarks
Barriers to Entry
Major Companies
Operating Conditions
Capital Intensity
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Annual Change
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Gavin Smith, IBISWorld, +1 (310) 866-5042, [email protected]
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