New York had the highest value of product shipments for this industry, followed by South Carolina, California, Florida, and Virginia.
This industry consists of establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing suspenders, gaffers, handkerchiefs, and other apparel, such as academic caps and gowns, vestments, and theatrical costumes.
Historically, about 80 percent of goods manufactured within this industry have been made for personal consumption.
The number of establishments in this industry, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, exceeded 400 in the early 2000s.
The total value of shipments in 2001 was $1.92 billion, down from $2.02 billion in 1998
Simon Worldwide Inc., Varsity Brands, Inc., Paris Accessories Inc. and E.R. Moore Co. lead the industry.
The industry employed 28,152 people in 2001, including 21,533 production workers who earned an average hourly wage of $11.08.
The states producing the most products in this industry were Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, California, Tennessee, Texas, and North Carolina.
Four states provided more than 70 percent of industry jobs: New York, California, Texas, and Connecticut.
Maryland, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, together account for about 50 percent of the category's jobs.
Historically, more than half of the workers have been sewing machine operators; others are garment inspectors, testers, and graders.
New York, California, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maryland, and Pennsylvania have the most companies.
The miscellaneous leather goods industry uses SIC 3199