Primary , Secondary and Tertiary Sectors

For management learners globally

The Industrial Sectors Tweet

The production of goods and services occurs in one of three industrial sectors. It is almost like a chain; each sector will pass its output to the next sector, these sectors are primary, secondary and tertiary.

Primary Sector (Extractive industries)

These are industries that produce goods using resources in the environment. For example

Fishing

Mining

Forestry

Farming

As the use the environment they need to be based near the areas they take their goods from. For example the majority of farmers live on the farm that they carry their business (farming) activity at.

Secondary Sector

This sector is known as the secondary sector as they use the goods that primary sector businesses have produced. They will take the raw materials from the primary sector and turn them into finished goods. They can be summed up as businesses that refine, manufacture or construct goods. For example

Carpenters will use wood from forestry businesses to make things out of wood e.g. furniture, kitchen cabinets, ornaments

Steel works will drill and cut steel to size ready for construction

Car manufacturers will use metal to make cars

Builders will use things that have been mined or wood from forestry businesses

Tertiary Sector

The tertiary sector provides services for consumers or businesses. For example

Catering

Hotels

Call Centres

Communication

Medicine

Legal services

Education

Distribution (of goods)