Business Help Site

Due Date:
June 7, 2013

Follow the U.S. Census Bureau

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the purpose of the Manufacturers' Unfilled Orders Survey?
2. How do I fill out columns for Unfilled Orders if my company doesn't track Unfilled Orders or are unavailable?
3. My company doesn't have/maintain Unfilled Orders, do I leave the Unfilled Orders columns (columns c & e) BLANK or put 0 (ZERO)?
4. This form does not apply to my company as we don't have unfilled orders, what do I do with the form?
5. We are not a manufacturer or ceased operation, what do I do with the form?
6. We do not manufacture products in the Selected Major Manufacturing Activities code listed on form or online, how do I complete?
7. What are Interdivisional unfilled orders?
8. What are Intradivisional unfilled orders?
9. What do I do if the address listed on form is incorrect?
10. Company only has resales, does this form apply?
11. Can I have a time extension?
12. Are estimates acceptable?

1. What is the purpose of the Manufacturers' Unfilled Orders Survey?

      The data collected in the Manufacturers' Unfilled Orders Survey will be used to benchmark the new and unfilled orders information published in the monthly Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders Survey, which is based on a small panel of domestic manufacturers. Annual sales data will be used to analyze differences in reporting between the company-based survey and plant level data from the Annual Survey of Manufactures, the source of benchmark data for the monthly shipments and inventory data.
   
   Back to Top

2. How do I fill out columns for Unfilled Orders if my company doesn’t track Unfilled Orders or are unavailable?

      Is there an estimate you can provide? If not, leave the Unfilled Orders columns (columns c & e) "BLANK" and write/type a note in the ‘Remarks’ that you do not have this information available.
   
   Back to Top

3. My company doesn't have/maintain Unfilled Orders, do I leave the Unfilled Orders columns (columns c & e) BLANK or put 0 (ZERO)?

     Leave the Unfilled Orders columns (columns c & e) 'BLANK' if you do not track or maintain unfilled orders (order backlog). Enter 0 (ZERO) in the Unfilled Orders columns (columns c & e) if you ship orders quickly. Still report your Annual Sales in columns b & e.
   
   Back to Top

4. This form does not apply to my company as we don't have unfilled orders, what do I do with the form?

     Enter 0 (ZERO) in the Unfilled Orders columns (columns c & e) if you ship orders quickly. Leave the Unfilled Orders columns (columns c & e) 'BLANK' if you do not track or maintain unfilled orders (order backlog). Still report your Annual Sales in columns b & e.
   
   Back to Top

5. We are not a manufacturer or ceased operation, what do I do with the form?

     Check the "Ceased operations" box and enter the "Date of Operational Status Change" in the "Change in Operational Status" section. Return the form via mail or submit online.
   
   Back to Top

6. We do not manufacture products in the Selected Major Manufacturing Activities code listed on form or online, how do I complete?

     Refer to the Selected Major Manufacturing Activities List enclosed with form or online and if any industry applies, write/type in code and/or explain in “Remarks” section what your company manufactures.
   
   Back to Top

7. What are Interdivisional unfilled orders?

     Orders that go to different divisions/industry codes and should be included in the unfilled orders data provided.
   
   Back to Top

8. What are Intradivisional unfilled orders?

     Orders that go to the same division/industry code and should NOT be included in the unfilled orders data provided.
   
   Back to Top

9. What do I do if the address listed on form is incorrect?

     Cross out old information and write in correct information and return with your reported data via mail or type the corrected information online and submit with your data.
   
   Back to Top

10. Company only has resales, does this form apply?

      No, indicate in “Remarks” section and return.
    
    Back to Top

11. Can I have a time extension?

      Please call 301-763-1779 for a time extension.
    
    Back to Top

12. Are estimates acceptable?

      Yes, carefully prepared estimates are acceptable if book figures are not readily available.
    
    Back to Top