334610 - Manufacturing and Reproducing Magnetic and Optical Media
The world of data storage and media reproduction plays a critical role in today’s digital economy, powering everything from software distribution to entertainment. If you're interested in understanding the industry behind these essential products, NAICS code 334610 is your go-to classification. This code represents the Manufacturing and Reproducing Magnetic and Optical Media sector, encompassing companies that create both blank and prerecorded media formats such as CDs, DVDs, magnetic tapes, and optical discs. Read on to explore the ins and outs of this vibrant manufacturing niche.
What is NAICS Code 334610?
NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) code 334610 specifically covers establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing and reproducing magnetic and optical media. This includes not only producing blank media but also mass-reproducing prerecorded content on various physical formats.
Key Activities Under NAICS 334610
- Manufacturing blank CDs, DVDs, magnetic tapes, and diskettes
- Mass duplicating prerecorded audio, video, and software on optical and magnetic media
- Producing game cartridges and other data storage devices
- Manufacturing components like hard drive platters and cleaning heads for magnetic tape equipment
Sector: Manufacturing
This industry falls squarely under the Manufacturing sector – a vital part of the U.S. economy responsible for turning raw materials and components into finished, tangible products.
Typical Business Activities
Businesses in the 334610 classification are involved in:
- Producing blank magnetic and optical data media for consumer and commercial use
- Duplicating prerecorded media, including music CDs, movie DVDs, software CDs, and video game cartridges
- Manufacturing magnetic tapes and disks used for audio, video, and data storage
- Creating specialized media components such as disk drive platters and head cleaners
Size Standards for NAICS 334610
For small business eligibility under this NAICS code, the U.S. Small Business Administration’s current size standard is:
- Up to 1,250 employees
This threshold can help businesses determine qualification for federal contracting and assistance programs.
Examples of Businesses under NAICS 334610
- Manufacturers of blank CDs and DVDs supplying content creators and distributors
- Companies specializing in mass-producing prerecorded audio CDs and video DVDs for entertainment
- Producers of magnetic tapes used for archival data storage or broadcasting purposes
- Firms manufacturing optical disks for software companies and video game developers
Detailed Code Breakdown for NAICS 334610
| Product/Activity | Description |
|---|---|
| Audiotape, blank, manufacturing | Producing blank audio tapes |
| Blank tapes, audio and video, manufacturing | Manufacturing blank tapes for media recording |
| Cassette tapes, prerecorded audio, mass reproducing | Mass producing prerecorded audio cassette tapes |
| CD-ROM, software, mass reproducing | Mass duplication of software on CD-ROMs |
| Compact discs (i.e., CD-ROM), software, mass reproducing | Creating software CDs in large volumes |
| Compact discs, prerecorded audio, mass reproducing | Mass producing music and audio compact discs |
| Compact discs, recordable or rewritable, blank, manufacturing | Producing blank recordable or rewritable CDs |
| Computer software tapes and disks, blank, rigid and floppy, manufacturing | Manufacturing blank software tapes and disks |
| Diskettes, blank, manufacturing | Producing blank floppy disks |
| Game cartridge software, mass reproducing | Mass reproducing video game cartridges |
| Games, computer software, mass reproducing | Reproducing software and game content |
| Hard drive media (disk drive platters) manufacturing | Manufacturing magnetic platters for hard drives |
| Head cleaners for magnetic tape equipment, manufacturing | Producing cleaning products for tape equipment |
| Laser disks, prerecorded video, mass reproducing | Mass producing prerecorded laserdiscs |
| Magnetic and optical media, blank, manufacturing | General manufacturing of blank data storage media |
| Magnetic recording media for tapes, cassettes, and disks, manufacturing | Producing magnetic recording media |
| Magnetic tapes, cassettes and disks, blank, manufacturing | Manufacturing blank magnetic tapes and disks |
| Phonograph records manufacturing | Producing vinyl records |
| Prepackaged software, mass reproducing | Mass producing software in packaged formats |
| Prerecorded magnetic audio tapes and cassettes, mass reproducing | Mass producing prerecorded magnetic audio media |
| Software, packaged, mass reproducing | Reproducing packaged software |
| Tapes, magnetic recording (i.e., audio, data, video), blank, manufacturing | Producing blank magnetic recording tapes |
| Video cassettes, blank, manufacturing | Manufacturing blank video cassette tapes |
| Video cassettes, prerecorded, mass reproducing | Mass duplicating prerecorded video cassettes |
| Video tape or disk mass reproducing | Mass producing video tapes or disks |
| Video tapes, blank, manufacturing | Producing blank video tapes |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What types of media are covered under NAICS 334610?
This code includes both magnetic media (such as audio tapes, video tapes, magnetic disks) and optical media (such as CDs, DVDs, and laser disks), covering both blank media production and prerecorded media duplication.
Is NAICS 334610 considered part of the manufacturing or service sector?
NAICS 334610 falls entirely within the Manufacturing sector, as it covers physical production processes.
What is the employee size standard for small businesses under this NAICS code?
The small business size standard is up to 1,250 employees, meaning businesses with 1,250 or fewer employees may qualify as small for federal contracting under this code.
Can companies offering digital downloads fall under this NAICS code?
No, NAICS 334610 is specific to physical magnetic and optical media manufacturing and reproduction. Purely digital distribution businesses would classify under different codes.
What are some common examples of products made by businesses in this industry?
Common products include blank CDs and DVDs, prerecorded music and software CDs, magnetic audio and video tapes, video game cartridges, and hard drive platters.
Conclusion
NAICS code 334610 represents a specialized yet crucial part of the manufacturing industry focused on physical data storage and media reproduction. Whether producing blank discs or mass duplicating prerecorded content, businesses operating in this space provide foundational products for entertainment, software distribution, and data storage worldwide. Understanding this classification can help manufacturers, suppliers, and contractors navigate industry opportunities and federal programs effectively.
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