Number of Plastics Materials and Basic Forms and Shapes Merchant Wholesalers Businesses in the US (2000–2023)
As of 2023
6,601
plastics materials and basic forms and shapes merchant wholesalers businesses in the United States
Number of Firms Over Time
Total Employment Over Time
Key Insights
- •The plastics materials and basic forms and shapes merchant wholesalers industry has declined 30.5% since 2000 (from 9,497 to 6,601 firms).
- •The peak year was 2000 with 9,497 firms.
- •Recent trend (last 5 years): the industry is shrinking (-9.2%).
- •Employment: 170,550 workers in 2023 (6.0% change since 2000).
- •Estimated 5-year survival rate: 70%.
Year-by-Year Data
| Year | Firms | Establishments | Employment | Entry Rate | Exit Rate | Net Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 6,601 | 11,067 | 170,550 | 5.1% | 6.9% | +4.6% |
| 2022 | 6,778 | 11,278 | 163,411 | 5.7% | 6.8% | +3.3% |
| 2021 | 6,954 | 11,410 | 157,705 | 5.5% | 6.0% | -2.0% |
| 2020 | 7,071 | 11,437 | 160,866 | 4.7% | 6.1% | +0.4% |
| 2019 | 7,272 | 11,570 | 159,878 | 4.1% | 5.4% | -0.8% |
| 2018 | 7,458 | 11,733 | 161,476 | 3.7% | 6.7% | +0.3% |
| 2017 | 7,741 | 12,193 | 161,819 | 5.1% | 7.2% | +2.4% |
| 2016 | 7,727 | 12,234 | 159,404 | 6.2% | 5.2% | +1.6% |
| 2015 | 7,843 | 12,126 | 157,292 | 5.1% | 6.8% | +0.1% |
| 2014 | 8,031 | 12,305 | 155,903 | 5.2% | 6.6% | +1.5% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics (BDS). Entry/exit rates refer to establishment openings and closings.