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<a href="http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3434500260.html" title="Facts and informations about SIC 3263 Fine Earthenware (Whiteware) Table and Kitchen Articles">SIC 3263 Fine Earthenware (Whiteware) Table and Kitchen Articles</a>

SIC 3263 Fine Earthenware (Whiteware) Table and Kitchen Articles

SIC 3263
FINE EARTHENWARE (WHITEWARE) TABLE AND KITCHEN ARTICLES

This industry consists of companies manufacturing semivitreous earthenware table and kitchen articles. These include fine semivitreous whiteware, semivitreous earthenware used for cooking and serving food, and both commercial and household earthenware. Manufacturers of vitreous china table and kitchen articles are included in SIC 3262: Vitreous China Table and Kitchen Articles.

NAICS Code(s)

327112 (Vitreous China, Fine Earthenware and Other Pottery Product Manufacturing)

Fine earthenware table and kitchen articles have been made for centuries. Earthenware is porous, coarse, and opaque—unlike vitrified porcelain and bone china, which are nonporous and translucent. All are considered pottery and begin with clay and other raw materials, but earthenware is fired at lower temperatures and is more breakable.

Many styles and types of earthenware have become popular as everyday dinnerware. Since earthenware was less expensive than bone china or other vitreous tableware, sales of it were less affected by economic downturns. China and porcelain products have begun to draw more consumers, however, especially from high-income households headed by 45- to 54-year-olds. The bridal market also accounted for a large percentage of retail sales of semivitreous earthenware.

The oldest form of pottery, earthenware, was made in China as early as the ninth century, where it was dried in the sun. Kilns became the source of heat to fire pottery that becomes modern dinnerware, but in the industry as a whole, much of the technology is the same as it was centuries ago. Not much has changed—including the labor intensive nature of the work and the skilled craftsmen who are employed to manufacture products with high standards of quality—but pottery wheels are electric, and a jiggerblade can speedily shape a plate.

In the early 1990s, manufacturers were beginning to respond to consumer concerns about lead content in chinaware. Some manufacturers changed the recipes of their glazes to reduce the lead content. Ceramic goods imported from other countries were more often to blame since many countries did not have strict lead content rules. California's Proposition 65, the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, required labeling on chinaware, warning consumers if a product exposed them to more than 0.5 micrograms of lead per day.

Although most of the same companies that manufactured earthenware also manufactured vitreous china, far fewer people worked directly on these products. In 2000, approximately 18,696 people were employed in both industries, of which only a few hundred worked in the earthenware industry, and this number was expected to continue to decrease.

The value of industry shipments in 2001 was $42.7 million, less than half the value of shipments in 1997, which totaled $88.9 million. This segment of the industry accounted for only 4 percent of total shipments of vitreous china, fine earthenware and other pottery products in 2001. Its decline was due in part to the economic downturn in the United States and to a growing number of inexpensive imports. Imports accounted for more than 50 percent of the sales in earthenware and kitchenware. Most foreign competition came especially from Japan, Taiwan, China, and England.

Industry jobs included machine operators in the sliphouse; mold runners, casters, and jiggermen who work to shape and form the clay; cutters and finishers who dry and again shape the product; glaze grinders and decorators; kiln firemen and loaders; inspectors, selectors, and stampers; and packers. The only occupations expecting growth through the year 2005 were painting, coating, and decorating workers. Extruding and forming machine workers were expected to have the most dramatic decrease—80.6 percent.

Average hourly wages for production workers in this industry were $11.20 in 2000. Kiln operators earned hourly wages of $6.06 to $9.26, while molders and casters earned hourly wages of $4.61 to $9.86.

The industry leaders in the 1999 were Zrike Company of Oakland, New Jersey, with sales of $14 million, and Rancho Cucamonga, California-based Bradshaw International Inc., which had acquired Bonny Products Inc., of Washington, North Carolina, in late 1999. In 2003, Bradshaw launched a plant renovation that would double its capacity.

Further Reading

U.S. Census Bureau. "Statistics for Industry Groups and Industries: 2000." February 2002. Available from http://www.census.gov/prod/2002pubs/m00as-1.pdf.

——. "Value of Shipment for Product Classes: 2001 and Earlier Years." December 2002. Available from http://www.census.gov/prod/2003pubs/m01as-2.pdf.

Related newspaper, magazine, and trade journal articles from HighBeam Research

(Including press releases, facts, information, and biographies)

	Victorian essence. (Bath Products). Magazine article from: Custom Home; 5/1/2003; ; 48 words ; The Heirloom suite includes two pedestal lavatories made of vitreous china and supported by a fluted column. The 26-by-22-inch lavatory is available in 4- and 8-inch centers and the 22-by-18-inch lavatory... Read more
	Tiny toilet.(Bath Products) Magazine article from: Custom Home; 7/1/2006; ; 53 words ; ...lavatories, The toilet seat is positioned at 10 1/8 inches tall and consumes 1.6 gallons of water per flush. The fixtures come in white vitreous china. GerberPlumbing Fixtures. 847.675.6570. www.gerberonline.com. Circle 156 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Read more
	Kitchen and bath products.(What's new: short reports on products & programs) Magazine article from: Building Products; 3/1/2004; ; 54 words ; ...and bath products, including lavs and basins, bowls and tanks, washbasins, and hardware. The company makes a wide range of vitreous china and metal items; all will be available nationwide through professional distributors. 972-406-8305. www.deca.com.br. Circle... Read more
	Sans Serif. (Bath Products). Magazine article from: Custom Home; 5/1/2003; ; 57 words ; The vitreous china, self-rimming Serif lavatory basin has an elliptical shape with a flared rim. Sized for smaller countertops or vanities and with... Read more
	Barclay. (New Arrivals). Magazine article from: Building Products; 5/1/2003; ; 62 words ; Barclay. Shown in an under-counter application, the Emma basin also can be used in drop-in applications. The vitreous china bowl features a smooth finished rim and is available only in a white finish. The company also manufactures lavatories... Read more
	Rohl.(New Arrivals) Magazine article from: Building Products; 3/1/2005; 65 words ; ...dramatic thermal changes from hot pots and pans, says the maker. The sinks are covered with a thick layer of white vitreous china glazing as well as an acid-resistant coating. 800-7779762. www.rohlhome.com. Circle 212. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Read more
	Fresh flush: Raritan's head saves space and money, and it looks good.(Product roundup) Magazine article from: National Fisherman; 6/1/2009; ; 382 words ; ...find a lot of fishermen putting Raritan's new head on their boats. The Sea/Fresh Marine Elegance toilet with its one-piece vitreous china bowl and full size toilet seat is going to be a bit too stylish for a lot of fishermen. And plenty of small-boat fishermen... Read more
	F-5000 vitreous China urinal.(Stuff)(Brief article) Magazine article from: Los Angeles Business Journal; 5/8/2006; ; 153 words ; Manufacturer: Falcon Waterfree Technologies, Los Angeles Description: Compact urinal that flushes without water Price: $250 Falcon's water-free urinal is an economical alternative to the average urinal: it conserves an average of 40,000 gallons of water per unit in a year and reduces water and Read more
	Table 6. Producer price indexes and percent changes for commodity groupings and individual items, not seasonally adjusted.(Part 2)(Statistical table) Magazine article from: PPI Detailed Report; 3/1/2009; 700+ words ; ...1982 = 100 unless otherwise indicated] Commodity Commodity code Plumbing fixtures and fittings 105 Vitreous china fixtures 1052 Vitreous china fixtures 1052-01 Plumbing fixture fittings and trim 1054 Plumbing fixture fittings and trim 1054-... Read more
	So retro.(Products) Magazine article from: Custom Home; 9/1/2004; 154 words ; ...boasts a white Carrara marble top in a honed finish, tapered spindle legs in a streamlined Retro style, and an undermount vitreous china basin. Measuring 36 inches wide and 22 inches deep, the marble-topped console table stands 35 3/16 inches high. Constructed... Read more

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