10+ Companies In The Capital Goods Field
In business and industry, there is often a focus on leveraging or managing goods and services. These commodities usually refer to the items or actions a company or industry produces, performs, or consumes. They’re often directly tied to consumers, as well.
There are also items and services which support the manufacturing or utilization of a company’s goods and services. Called capital goods or sometimes plant property or equipment, these items or actions are not usually directly connected to consumers but are vital to the consumer goods and service markets.
Let’s take a closer look at the companies that supply many of the capital goods needed to keep industries moving ahead.
What Are Capital Goods?
For many industries or corporations, the items or services they generate are dependent on other goods or services to make them possible.
For instance, the publishing industry needs printing presses and book binding machines to make books.
These machines are considered capital goods.
Throughout all forms of consumer-based goods and services, a connection with capital goods can be found. In fact, one wouldn’t work without the other.
Examples of Capital Goods
- Industrial-sized cake mixers for commercial kitchens.
- Warehouses and cold storage areas for food distributors
- A crane and dump trucks for a construction company
- Microscopes and centrifuges for medical laboratories
- Lights, rigging, and sound equipment for live music production companies
All of these goods are critical to the production or service each business supplies to consumers.
10 Essential Companies in the Capital Goods Field
1. Microsoft
A titan in countless industries, Microsoft provides technology for companies worldwide.
Whether providing software, hardware, or connectivity services, this technological juggernaut is essential to making things run. Microsoft is considered one of five information technology companies, which also include Google, Apple, Meta, and Amazon.
2. Caterpillar Inc.
Primarily represented in the building and construction industries. Caterpillar machines are designed to move materials or power systems, as the company manufactures various different diesel-powered machines, gas and diesel turbines, and locomotives.
3. Ingersoll Rand Inc.
For 160 years, this global manufacturer of capital goods has helped other businesses to operate. Building and powering technologies in the medical, air, fluid, and energy fields, Ingersoll Rand have made itself indispensable to so many industries and companies.
4. 3M
Have you ever used a post-it note or electrical tape? Do you own a pair of safety goggles? As a consumer, there’s a high probability that some 3M products are in your home, currently.
With a range of over 60,000 products, there is also a high probability that a business or industry will rely on 3M capital goods to help a system or service operate.
5. DuPont
Another colossus of manufacturing, with a focus on employing chemical technologies, DuPont has been supplying capital goods to countries in the states and worldwide for over a century.
After a merger with Dow Chemicals in 2017, DuPont’s status as a global leader in chemical manufacturing only grew larger. In addition to chemistry, DuPont manufactures building materials, various synthetic fibers, cosmetic ingredients, and agricultural chemicals.
6. Honeywell Int.
Founded as far back as 1885, Honeywell is an industry leader in aerospace and automotive technologies, as well as industrial control systems, and chemical manufacturing.
One of the larger sectors of the company is its HVAC division, in which temperature and environmental controls, ventilation equipment, and motors for air control systems are produced.
7. AT&T
Initially developed as a telecommunications company by Alexander Graham Bell and associates, the American Telephone and Telegraph company is a worldwide leader in communication services and machinery.
As business technology has moved solidly into the 21st century, AT&T has kept pace, accordingly. By providing expanded internet and wireless services for global corporations and industries, their necessity as a capital goods provider has become further solidified.
8. Ford
A leader among corporate fleet providers, the Ford Motor Company is by far one of the most popular and widely used in a number of industries.
Whether trucks, vans, buses, or fleet vehicles for governmental and law enforcement agencies, Ford keeps people moving. Vehicles are one of the most widely used capital goods, too.
9. Bose
One of the smaller companies on the list, Bose is a massive speaker and sound design corporation, especially when compared to its competition.
Based out of Massachusetts, this industry-specific operation is often supplying speakers and A/V systems for all types of corporations and business entities.
Bolstering communication and connectivity, Bose systems are specially designed to offer top-quality sound while remaining minimally intrusive.
10. Snap-On
When many companies consider where to purchase their hand tools or mechanical machinery, they think of Snap-On tools.
With a focus on the tools and diagnostic systems which keep many companies running, Snap-On’s products are used in industries as wide-ranging as automotive, aerospace and aviation, construction, electronics, various militaries and schools, and the medical field, just to name a few.
Is A Career In Capital Goods A Wise Move?
In a word, yes. Capital goods businesses and industries are the backbone for so many other industries, often consumer-based. For this reason, there is a greater amount of stability within these industries, as well as a steady demand for their goods and services.
Additionally, because of the size of many plant property corporations, there’s room for upward mobility and job growth or development. Becoming a skilled employee in a capital goods career, whether worker or executive, is often a lucrative decision.
What Kind Of Jobs Are Available In Capital Goods?
Capital goods companies focus on offering support to other businesses through the specific design and use of their products. Therefore, it’s critical to monitor and manage the effectiveness of the equipment a company is producing. Quality control is an important job or position within these businesses.
Workers at the factory level are also a critical foundation for goods manufacturers. Assembling and checking the integrity of these goods is as important to the company manufacturing them as it is for consumer goods companies using capital goods.
Faulty products undermine the reputation of a capital goods company. Equally, if a consumer manufacturer has to halt production to replace machines or parts, their bottom line is negatively affected.
Engineers & tradespeople of all kinds are also consistently employed by capital goods manufacturers and producers. Mechanical, electrical, and structural engineers are all higher-level jobs within these industries.
Of course, there will always be room for project managers, board members, CFOs, and CEOs within the capital goods industry.
Many of the top companies in this field are also Fortune 500 companies, so management training and advancement are always in play.
What Can I Do?
Read more about career opportunities in the capital goods field on this LinkedIn page.
Whether just starting out or looking to expand on prior experience, the capital goods field is alive and well, and always looking for quality employees and leaders.
