Transportation Equipment and Supplies (except Motor Vehicle) Merchant Wholesalers — Business Survival Rate
An estimated 74% of transportation equipment and supplies (except motor vehicle) merchant wholesalers businesses survive their first 5 years, based on U.S. Census Bureau Business Dynamics Statistics. The annual business closure rate is 5.9%.
Is Transportation Equipment and Supplies a Good Business to Start?
With a 74% five-year survival rate, transportation equipment and supplies (except motor vehicle) merchant wholesalers has an above-average survival rate compared to the national average of roughly 50%. This makes it a relatively safe industry to enter — businesses here tend to find stable demand and sustainable economics.
The annual exit rate of 5.9% is lower than many sectors, suggesting that once established, these businesses have staying power. That said, lower failure rates often correlate with higher barriers to entry or established competition.
Entry vs. Exit Rates
Annual rate of new businesses opening versus existing businesses closing.
Net negative: more businesses closing than opening (-0.9 pp spread).
Job Creation & Destruction
The industry is adding jobs faster than losing them — a positive sign for both workers and new business owners looking to hire. Total employment: 791,190 workers across 33,683 firms.
Want to know how much transportation equipment and supplies (except motor vehicle) merchant wholesalers businesses actually make?
See full revenue benchmarks for Transportation Equipment and Supplies (except Motor Vehicle) Merchant Wholesalers →Frequently Asked Questions
- What percentage of transportation equipment and supplies (except motor vehicle) merchant wholesalers businesses fail?
- Approximately 26% of transportation equipment and supplies (except motor vehicle) merchant wholesalers businesses fail within their first 5 years. The annual closure rate is 5.9%, with 2,081 firms closing permanently in 2023.
- Is the transportation equipment and supplies (except motor vehicle) merchant wholesalers industry growing or shrinking?
- The transportation equipment and supplies (except motor vehicle) merchant wholesalers industry is currently growing with a net job creation rate of +3.6% per year. New businesses are entering at 5.0% while 5.9% close annually.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics (2023). Survival rate estimated from annual exit rates.