Analysis
NAICS 315210 is the 2022 national industry for cut and sew apparel contractors, part of 31521 (Cut and Sew Apparel Contractors). Census lists 250 example activities under it in the official index.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments fell 26% and employment fell 22%. The 2018 count used NAICS 2017, so part of a large move can come from codes being redefined rather than from businesses opening or closing.
County Business Patterns counts 2,094 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 22,704 people at an average annual payroll of $36,658 per employee (7th percentile of national industries). 60% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which marks it as a small-business industry.
Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include apparel cut and sew contractors, apparel trimmings and findings cut and sew apparel…, apparel, fur, cut and sew apparel contractors and appliqueing on apparel, among 250 in all.
Census lists 3 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 315250, 315990 and 314999. Businesses that do several things are classified by their primary activity, the one that generates the most value, so check those boundaries before settling on this code.
For example, manufacturing cut and sew apparel from purchased fabric are classified in 315250 (Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing (except Contractors)) instead.
Official definition
This industry comprises establishments commonly referred to as contractors primarily engaged in (1) cutting materials owned by others for apparel and accessories and/or (2) sewing materials owned by others for apparel and accessories.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing cut and sew apparel from purchased fabric | 315250 Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing (except Contractors) |
| Manufacturing apparel accessories from purchased fabric | 315990 Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing |
| Embroidering apparel on a contract or fee basis for the trade | 314999 All Other Miscellaneous Textile Product Mills |
Index entries (250)
- Apparel cut and sew contractors
- Apparel trimmings and findings cut and sew apparel contractors
- Apparel, fur, cut and sew apparel contractors
- Appliqueing on apparel
- Aprons, waterproof (including rubberized fabric, plastics), cut and sew apparel contractors
- Aprons, work (except leather), cut and sew apparel contractors
- Arm bands cut and sew apparel contractors
- Ascots cut and sew apparel contractors
- Athletic clothing cut and sew apparel contractors
- Athletic uniforms, team, cut and sew apparel contractors
- Bakers' service apparel, washable, cut and sew apparel contractors
- Band uniforms cut and sew apparel contractors
- Bandeaux cut and sew apparel contractors
- Barbers' service apparel, washable, cut and sew apparel contractors
- Baseball caps (except plastics) cut and sew apparel contractors
- Baseball uniforms cut and sew apparel contractors
- Basketball uniforms cut and sew apparel contractors
- Bathing suits cut and sew apparel contractors
- Bathrobes cut and sew apparel contractors
- Beachwear cut and sew apparel contractors
- Bedjackets cut and sew apparel contractors
- Belts, apparel (e.g., fabric, leather, vinyl), cut and sew apparel contractors
- Belts, money, any material, cut and sew apparel contractors
- Bibs and aprons, waterproof (e.g., plastics, rubber, similar materials), cut and sew apparel contractors
- Blouses cut and sew apparel contractors
- Body stockings cut and sew apparel contractors
- Bow ties cut and sew apparel contractors
- Bra-slips cut and sew apparel contractors
- Brassieres cut and sew apparel contractors
- Bridal dresses or gowns cut and sew apparel contractors
- Briefs cut and sew apparel contractors
- Buntings cut and sew apparel contractors
- Burial garments cut and sew apparel contractors
- Buttonhole making apparel contractors
- Buttonhole making, fur goods, cut and sew apparel contractors
- Buttonholing and button covering apparel contractors
- Caftans cut and sew apparel contractors
- Camisoles cut and sew apparel contractors
- Capes cut and sew apparel contractors
- Caps (i.e., apparel accessory) cut and sew apparel contractors