Packing and Crating — Business Survival Rate
An estimated 53% of packing and crating businesses survive their first 5 years, based on U.S. Census Bureau Business Dynamics Statistics. The annual business closure rate is 12.0%.
Is Packing and Crating a Good Business to Start?
With a 53% five-year survival rate, packing and crating is near the national average (~50%). This means roughly half of new entrants will still be operating after 5 years — typical business risk that rewards solid planning and execution.
The annual exit rate of 12.0% indicates moderate turnover. Success depends on differentiation, location, and operational efficiency rather than inherent industry advantages.
Entry vs. Exit Rates
Annual rate of new businesses opening versus existing businesses closing.
Net positive: more businesses opening than closing (+3.8 pp spread).
Job Creation & Destruction
The industry is losing jobs faster than creating them — which may indicate automation, consolidation, or declining demand. Total employment: 25,622 workers across 1,903 firms.
Want to know how much packing and crating businesses actually make?
See full revenue benchmarks for Packing and Crating →Frequently Asked Questions
- What percentage of packing and crating businesses fail?
- Approximately 47% of packing and crating businesses fail within their first 5 years. The annual closure rate is 12.0%, with 214 firms closing permanently in 2023.
- Is the packing and crating industry growing or shrinking?
- The packing and crating industry is currently shrinking with a net job creation rate of -2.6% per year. New businesses are entering at 15.9% while 12.0% close annually.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics (2023). Survival rate estimated from annual exit rates.