311513 - Cheese Manufacturing
Cheese manufacturing plays a vital role in the food manufacturing sector, delivering a wide array of delicious and nutritious products to consumers and industries alike. If you're exploring the food production industry or looking to understand key business classifications, NAICS code 311513 – Cheese Manufacturing is central to identifying companies engaged in producing cheese from milk and cream. This blog post dives deep into what this NAICS code entails, business examples, sector details, size standards, and answers to frequently asked questions.
What is NAICS Code 311513 – Cheese Manufacturing?
NAICS Code 311513 covers the manufacturing of cheese from raw milk and cream, including natural, processed, and specialty cheeses. This industry transforms raw milk into various cheese products, catering both to direct consumer markets and industrial uses. It includes everything from traditional natural cheeses like cheddar and mozzarella to processed cheese products, cheese spreads, and even nondairy cheese alternatives.
Sector: Food Manufacturing
NAICS 311513 falls under the broader Food Manufacturing sector (NAICS 311). This sector focuses on converting livestock and agricultural products into food for human consumption. Cheese manufacturing is a significant segment within this sector, known for its specialized processing techniques and innovations in dairy product development.
Typical Business Activities Under NAICS 311513
Businesses classified under NAICS 311513 are involved in various cheese-making activities, including but not limited to:
- Manufacturing natural cheeses such as cheddar, mozzarella, and Swiss
- Producing processed cheese products, including cheese analogs and spreads
- Crafting specialty cheeses, including artisanal, flavored, and gourmet cheeses
- Creating nondairy cheese products and substitutes
- Processing whey, a byproduct of cheese production, in liquid form for further industrial use
Size Standards for NAICS Code 311513
For government contracting and eligibility considerations, the size standard for NAICS 311513 is 1,250 employees. This means businesses with 1,250 employees or fewer are classified as small under this NAICS code, which can influence access to SBA contracting programs and set-asides.
Examples of Businesses Under NAICS 311513
- Large-scale cheese manufacturers producing cheddar and mozzarella for supermarkets
- Specialty artisanal cheese producers crafting unique flavors for gourmet markets
- Plants specializing in processed cheese slices and blocks for the foodservice industry
- Nondairy cheese manufacturers providing vegan alternatives to traditional cheese
Detailed Code Description for NAICS 311513
| Code Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Cheese manufacturing (except cottage cheese) | Production of natural cheeses excluding cottage cheese |
| Cheese analogs manufacturing | Production of cheese substitutes mimicking natural cheese |
| Cheese products, imitation or substitute | Manufacturing of imitation cheeses and cheese substitutes |
| Cheese spreads manufacturing | Production of spreadable cheese products |
| Cheese, natural (except cottage cheese) | Natural cheese production excluding cottage cheese |
| Curds, cheese, made in a cheese plant | Manufacture of cheese curds |
| Dips, cheese based manufacturing | Production of cheese-based dips and sauces |
| Nondairy cheese manufacturing | Production of cheese substitutes made from nondairy sources |
| Nondairy cheese products manufacturing | Manufacturing various nondairy cheese products |
| Processed cheeses manufacturing | Production of processed cheese varieties |
| Spreads, cheese manufacturing | Manufacture of cheese spreads |
| Whey, raw, liquid, manufacturing | Production of liquid whey as a cheese byproduct |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does NAICS 311513 specifically cover?
NAICS 311513 covers the manufacturing of cheese from raw milk and cream, including natural cheeses (except cottage cheese), processed cheeses, cheese analogs, cheese spreads, and nondairy cheese products.
What sector does NAICS code 311513 belong to?
It is part of the Food Manufacturing sector (NAICS 311).
What is the size standard for businesses under NAICS 311513?
The size standard is 1,250 employees, which classifies a business as small if it has equal to or fewer employees.
Are specialty or artisanal cheeses included under NAICS 311513?
Yes, specialty and artisanal cheese production, including flavored and gourmet cheeses, fall under this NAICS code.
Does this code include nondairy cheese manufacturing?
Yes, manufacturing nondairy cheese and cheese substitutes are included.
Can cheese dips and spreads manufacturers classify under this code?
Yes, cheese-based dips and spreads manufacturing is covered under NAICS 311513.
Conclusion
NAICS code 311513 is essential for identifying and understanding the cheese manufacturing industry within food manufacturing. Whether you are involved in producing natural cheeses like cheddar, crafting artisanal cheeses, or creating processed and nondairy cheese products, this NAICS code applies to your business operations. With a size standard of 1,250 employees, it also helps define small business eligibility in government contracting. Understanding this code helps companies correctly classify themselves for marketing, procurement, and regulatory purposes.
Keywords: NAICS 311513, Cheese Manufacturing, cheese production, natural cheese industry, processed cheese, specialty cheese, cheese analogs, food manufacturing NAICS, small business size standard, dairy products manufacturing
