A new report from the Snow & Ice Management Association (SIMA) says clearing snow and ice under private contract is estimated to be a $16.8 billion industry.
According to SIMA’s research, the residential market captures the majority of the private snow removal business at 34 percent, followed by retail at 27 percent and industrial at 26 percent. States with the most snowplowing businesses include New York, Illinois, Michigan, Colorado and Pennsylvania.
The private snow and ice industry has been growing 3.8 percent annually, and is expected to continue growing at a rate of 3.2 percent through 2019, which is slightly faster than growth of U.S. GDP of 2.5 percent per year, according to the report.
“While most people are ready for spring and dread a snowstorm in mid-March, snow and ice contractors rely on providing winter weather services as a business that creates jobs and boosts the economy,” said Martin B. Tirado, CAE, executive director of SIMA.
It is estimated that 110,000 workers comprise the privatized snow and ice industry and of these, 88,000 are sole practitioners. The average operator has been in business 15.4 years and about one-third have more than 20 years of experience.
