The machinery manufacturing industry involves the production of a vast range of products from huge industrial turbines to the common ceiling fan. The main purpose of machinery is to reduce or eliminate the amount of human work required to accomplish a task. The wide range of products produced by the machinery manufacturing industry means that it includes establishments of all sizes. In general, however, the larger and more complicated the machinery is, the larger the manufacturing facility must be to produce it. Major industries served by the machinery industry include agricultural, construction, energy, infrastructure, mining and transportation.

The machinery manufacturing market consists of sales of industrial and commercial machinery by entities (organizations, sole traders or partnerships) that manufacture industrial and commercial machinery. These establishments assemble parts into components, sub-assemblies and complete machines.