This Chapter has been extracted from the ONS Explanatory Notes and provides a more detailed explanation of possible activities that could fall within the SIC Codes related to the Chapter.
This division includes the manufacture of furniture and related products of any material except stone,
concrete and ceramic. The processes used in the manufacture of furniture are standard methods of
forming materials and assembling components, including cutting, moulding and laminating. The design of the article, for both aesthetic and functional qualities, is an important aspect of the production process.
Some of the processes used in furniture manufacturing are similar to processes that are used in other
segments of manufacturing. For example, cutting and assembly occurs in the production of wood trusses
that are classified in division 16 (Manufacture of wood and wood products). However, the multiple
processes distinguish wood furniture manufacturing from wood product manufacturing. Similarly, metal
furniture manufacturing uses techniques that are also employed in the manufacturing of roll-formed
products classified in division 25 (Manufacture of fabricated metal products). The moulding process for
plastics furniture is similar to the moulding of other plastics products. However, the manufacture of
plastics furniture tends to be a specialised activity.
31.0 Manufacture of furniture
31.01 Manufacture of office and shop furniture
This class includes the manufacture of furniture of any kind (other than domestic), of any material (except stone, concrete or ceramic) for any place and for various purposes.
This class includes:
- manufacture of chairs and seats for offices, workrooms, hotels, restaurants and public premises
- manufacture of chairs and seats for theatres, cinemas and the like
- manufacture of special furniture for shops: counters, display cases, shelves etc.
- manufacture of office furniture
- manufacture of laboratory benches, stools, and other laboratory seating, laboratory furniture (e.g.
cabinets and tables)
- manufacture of furniture for churches, schools, restaurants
This class also includes:
- decorative restaurant carts, such as a dessert cart, food wagons
This class excludes:
- blackboards, see 28.23
- manufacture of car seats, see 29.32
- manufacture of railway car seats, see 30.20
- manufacture of aircraft seats, see 30.30
- manufacture of medical, surgical, dental or veterinary furniture, see 32.50
- modular furniture attachment and installation, partition installation, laboratory equipment furniture
installation, see 43.32
31.02 Manufacture of kitchen furniture
This class includes:
- manufacture of kitchen furniture
31.03 Manufacture of mattresses
This class includes:
- manufacture of mattresses:
• mattresses fitted with springs or stuffed or internally fitted with a supporting material
• uncovered cellular rubber or plastic mattresses
- manufacture of mattress supports
This class excludes:
- manufacture of inflatable rubber mattresses, see 22.19
- manufacture of rubber waterbed mattresses, see 22.19
31.09 Manufacture of other furniture
This class includes:
- manufacture of sofas, sofa beds and sofa sets
- manufacture of garden chairs and seats
- manufacture of furniture for bedrooms, living rooms, gardens etc.
- manufacture of cabinets for sewing machines, televisions etc.
This class also includes:
- finishing such as upholstery of chairs and seats
- finishing of furniture such as spraying, painting, French polishing and upholstering
This class excludes:
- manufacture of pillows, pouffes, cushions, quilts and eiderdowns, see 13.92
- manufacture of furniture of ceramics, concrete and stone, see 23.42, 23.69, 23.70
- manufacture of lighting fittings or lamps, see 27.40
- manufacture of car seats, see 29.32
- manufacture of railway car seats, see 30.20
- manufacture of aircraft seats, see 30.30
- reupholstering and restoring of furniture, see 95.24
For all queries related to this Chapter or any other aspect of SIC Codes, please contact the Office of National Statistics on 01329 444970 or email classifications.helpdesk@ons.gov.uk.