42469 - Other Chemical and Allied Products Merchant Wholesalers

Understanding NAICS codes is essential for businesses, government contracting, and market research. One such important code is NAICS code 42469, representing Other Chemical and Allied Products Merchant Wholesalers. This niche yet vital classification covers companies engaged in distributing specialized chemical products used in various industries. Whether you're a chemical supplier, an industrial wholesaler, or a procurement professional, knowing about NAICS 42469 will enhance your business insights and contracting opportunities.

What is NAICS Code 42469?

NAICS Code 42469 falls under the Wholesale Trade sector and pertains to the merchant wholesale distribution of chemical and allied products that are not classified elsewhere in the chemical wholesale categories. This code includes specialty chemicals, chemical preparations, and allied products mainly used in industrial and commercial applications.

Key Points:

Encompasses specialty chemicals and allied chemical products.
Includes products that don’t fit into other defined chemical wholesale subcategories.
Primarily focused on wholesale merchant distribution.

Sector Overview: Wholesale Trade

NAICS 42469 is part of the broader Wholesale Trade sector (NAICS 42), which covers businesses that sell or arrange the sale of goods to other businesses rather than final consumers. Within this sector, the chemical wholesale subsector specializes in distributing raw and specialty chemicals used across manufacturing, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and more.

Typical Business Activities Under NAICS 42469

Businesses classified under this NAICS code typically engage in:

Specialty Chemical Distribution: Marketing and supplying specialty chemicals such as adhesives, coatings, sealants, and custom chemical blends.
Industrial Chemical Wholesaling: Distribution of chemicals used in industrial manufacturing, agriculture, or processing industries.
Chemical Supply Merchants: Providing chemical raw materials and allied products to commercial and industrial customers.

Examples of typical business activities include:

Sales of specialty industrial adhesives and sealants.
Wholesale distribution of chemical lubricants or solvents.
Supplying chemical additives for agricultural applications.

Size Standards for NAICS 42469

The Small Business Administration (SBA) sets size standards to define eligibility for small business programs for government contracting. For NAICS code 42469:

Size Standard: $30 million in average annual receipts.

Businesses with annual revenues equal to or less than $30 million qualify as small entities under this NAICS code for federal contracting and assistance programs.

Examples of Businesses in NAICS 42469

Specialty chemical distributors serving electronics or automotive industries.
Industrial chemical wholesalers supplying manufacturers with raw materials.
Chemical supply merchants catering to agricultural or pharmaceutical companies.

NAICS 42469 Code Details Table

Attribute	Description
NAICS Code	42469
Industry Title	Other Chemical and Allied Products Merchant Wholesalers
Sector	Wholesale Trade
Industry Description	Merchant wholesale distribution of chemical and allied products not classified elsewhere
Typical Business Activities	Specialty chemical distribution, industrial chemical wholesaling, chemical supply merchandising
Size Standard	$30 million (average annual receipts)
Related NAICS Codes	42461 (Plastics Materials and Basic Forms and Shapes Merchant Wholesalers), 42462 (Chemical and Allied Products Merchant Wholesalers)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What types of products fall under NAICS 42469?

Products include specialty chemicals, chemical preparations, adhesives, sealants, chemical solvents, and other allied chemical products not classified in more specific chemical wholesaling categories.

How does NAICS 42469 differ from similar chemical wholesale codes?

NAICS 42469 covers chemical products and allied items that don’t fit under basic chemical or plastic wholesaling codes, focusing on specialty and other chemical products.

Is NAICS 42469 used for government contracting?

Yes, NAICS 42469 is recognized for federal procurement. Small businesses in this category can qualify under the $30 million size standard for programs like SBA’s 8(a) and HUBZone.

Can I use NAICS 42469 if my business sells end-user chemical products?

Generally, this code is for merchant wholesalers, not direct retail sales. Businesses selling chemicals primarily to other businesses qualify best under this code.

Conclusion

NAICS Code 42469 — Other Chemical and Allied Products Merchant Wholesalers — represents a focused yet critical niche within the Chemical Wholesale sector. By understanding this classification, businesses can better identify market opportunities, ensure proper industry classification, and access appropriate federal contracting avenues. Whether distributing specialty chemicals or servicing industrial clients, NAICS 42469 provides a targeted descriptor for your merchant wholesale chemical distribution business.

Keywords: NAICS 42469, Other Chemical and Allied Products Merchant Wholesalers, specialty chemical distributors, industrial chemical wholesalers, chemical supply merchants, wholesale trade, chemical products distribution, small business size standard chemical wholesalers.

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