NAICS 339940 Quarterly Industry Report
Office Supplies (except Paper) Manufacturing
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 339940Sector: 33Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
Fair Market Value publishes this NAICS 339940 industry profile drawing on data from the U.S. Census Bureau's Annual Survey of Manufactures[8], Bureau of Labor Statistics employment data[6], and SBA size standard tables[7]. Our research team reviews trade data from writing instrument and office products industry associations to verify production trends. This report receives quarterly updates reflecting seasonal demand patterns, workforce changes, and market conditions affecting office supply manufacturers.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the office supplies (except paper) manufacturing industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Office Supplies (except Paper) Manufacturing (NAICS 339940) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing office supplies other than paper products. Products include pens, pencils, felt tip markers, crayons, chalk, mechanical pencils, pencil sharpeners, staplers, modeling clay, hand-operated stamps, stamp pads, stencils, carbon paper, and inked ribbons. The U.S. Census Bureau[5] classifies this industry within miscellaneous manufacturing, excluding paper-based office products.
Production processes vary by product type but share common manufacturing fundamentals. Pen and marker assembly lines combine injection-molded housings with ink cartridges, tips, and caps. Pencil manufacturing involves wood slat processing, graphite core insertion, gluing, shaping, and finishing. Stapler production uses metal stamping, spring forming, and plastic molding. Writing instrument ink formulation requires chemical blending and quality control for consistency across large production runs. Automated packaging lines consolidate individual items into retail-ready multi-packs and assortment sets. The Bureau of Labor Statistics[6] classifies workers in this sector under miscellaneous manufacturing employment.
Under SBA size standards[7], NAICS 339940 carries a threshold of 750 employees. Back-to-school purchasing cycles create predictable seasonal demand peaks for writing instruments and related supplies. Import competition from low-cost overseas producers has shifted much commodity production offshore, leaving domestic manufacturers focused on branded premium products and specialty items. Contract manufacturing for major office supply retailers and private-label programs generates steady volume for remaining domestic plants. Digital communication tools have reduced demand for some traditional products like carbon paper and ribbons while creating opportunities in specialty markers, art supplies, and premium writing instruments.
What's Included in This Industry
- Pen and ballpoint pen manufacturing
- Pencil and mechanical pencil production
- Felt tip marker and highlighter manufacturing
- Crayon and chalk production
- Stapler and staple manufacturing
- Pencil sharpener production
- Rubber stamp and stamp pad manufacturing
- Modeling clay and sculpting compound production
- Stencil and lettering template manufacturing
- Carbon paper and inked ribbon production
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Subsector | Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 339 |
| Industry Group | Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 3399 |
| NAICS Industry | Office Supplies (except Paper) Manufacturing | 33994 |
| National Industry | Office Supplies (except Paper) Manufacturing | 339940 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 339920 | Sporting and Athletic Goods Manufacturing | Sporting and athletic goods manufacturing shares the miscellaneous manufacturing classification and similar injection molding and assembly production techniques |
| 339930 | Doll, Toy, and Game Manufacturing | Doll, toy, and game manufacturing falls within the same miscellaneous manufacturing subsector and uses overlapping plastic molding production equipment |
| 339910 | Jewelry and Silverware Manufacturing | Jewelry and silverware manufacturing shares the miscellaneous manufacturing classification and similar small consumer product assembly operations |
| 322230 | Stationery Product Manufacturing | Stationery product manufacturing produces paper-based office supplies that complement the non-paper products covered by NAICS 339940 |
| 424120 | Stationery and Office Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | Stationery and office supply merchant wholesalers serve as the primary distribution channel between manufacturers and retail office supply stores |
| 455110 | Department Stores | Office supply and stationery retailers represent the downstream sales channel purchasing finished products from domestic and international manufacturers |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 13.5% | 49 |
| 2 | Texas | 7.2% | 26 |
| 3 | New York | 6.3% | 23 |
| 4 | Illinois | 5.5% | 20 |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 5.5% | 20 |
| 6 | Florida | 4.4% | 16 |
| 7 | Ohio | 4.1% | 15 |
| 8 | Michigan | 3.6% | 13 |
| 9 | Washington | 3.3% | 12 |
| 10 | Minnesota | 3.3% | 12 |
% Of Establishments
0%
14%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
16
Total SBA Loans
$6.8M
Total Loan Volume
$425K
Average Loan Size
10 yrs
Average Loan Term
11.13%
Average Interest Rate
48
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: The SBA[7] assigns NAICS 339940 a size standard of 750 employees. Most domestic office supply manufacturers operate below this threshold as mid-sized production operations or smaller specialty producers. Qualifying firms access 7(a) loans for production equipment upgrades, raw material inventory, and working capital. The 504 loan program supports facility purchases for manufacturers expanding production capacity or adding automated packaging lines.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Readycap Lending, LLC | 8 | $4.0M | $500K |
| 2 | Lendistry SBLC, LLC | 8 | $2.8M | $350K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses are classified under NAICS 339940?
NAICS 339940 covers manufacturers of non-paper office supplies including pens, pencils, markers, crayons, chalk, staplers, pencil sharpeners, modeling clay, rubber stamps, stencils, carbon paper, and inked ribbons. Paper-based office products fall under separate classifications. The U.S. Census Bureau[5] classifies these producers within miscellaneous manufacturing.
How is office supplies manufacturing structured?
Production divides among writing instrument specialists, fastener and stapler producers, and specialty supply manufacturers. Pen and marker production involves injection-molded housing assembly with ink cartridge insertion. Pencil manufacturing combines wood processing with graphite core insertion. Import competition has shifted commodity production overseas while domestic firms focus on branded, premium, and specialty product lines.
What is the SBA size standard for NAICS 339940?
The SBA sets the size standard at 750 employees for office supplies manufacturing. Most domestic producers operate below this ceiling. The SBA size standard table[7] applies this employee count for small business certification, federal contracting preferences, and SBA lending program eligibility.
What NAICS codes are related to office supplies manufacturing?
Related manufacturing codes include 339920 (sporting goods), 339930 (toys and games), and 339910 (jewelry). Paper-based stationery falls under 322230. Distribution code 424120 covers stationery and office supply wholesalers. Retail code 459410 covers office supply stores. The Census Bureau[5] groups this industry within miscellaneous manufacturing.
What industries are closely related to office supplies manufacturing?
Stationery wholesalers (424120) and office supply retailers (459410) form the downstream distribution chain. Stationery product manufacturers (322230) produce complementary paper-based items. Printing ink manufacturers (325910) supply specialized formulations for writing instruments. Sporting goods makers (339920) and toy producers (339930) share production equipment and methods.
What activities are included in NAICS 339940?
Covered activities include pen and pencil manufacturing, marker and highlighter production, crayon and chalk making, stapler and sharpener manufacturing, rubber stamp and stamp pad production, modeling clay formulation, stencil cutting, and carbon paper and inked ribbon manufacturing. The Census Bureau[5] excludes paper-based office products from this classification.
Can office supply manufacturers qualify for SBA loans?
Yes, manufacturers with 750 or fewer employees qualify as small businesses under SBA guidelines[7]. The 7(a) loan program supports equipment purchases, inventory financing, and seasonal working capital. Most 504 program covers facility acquisitions and production line upgrades. Back-to-school season inventory buildup represents a common financed working capital need.
Where is office supplies manufacturing concentrated in the United States?
Production clusters near major distribution hubs and raw material suppliers. Tennessee, California, and the Northeast corridor host notable concentrations of writing instrument and office product manufacturers. Proximity to large institutional and corporate buyer markets influences plant location decisions. The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns[9] tracks establishment counts by state for this industry code.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [4]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [5]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [6]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [7]SBA size standards sba.gov
- [8]U.S. Census Bureau's Annual Survey of Manufactures census.gov
- [9]Census Bureau's County Business Patterns census.gov
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