What is the primary characteristic of the manufacturing sector?

The primary characteristic of the manufacturing sector is the direct use of raw materials. This sector is fundamentally involved in converting raw materials into finished products through various processes such as assembly, machining, and fabrication. Manufacturing includes the transformation of goods from their natural state into products that can be used and consumed, which inherently focuses on the utilization of raw materials.

Other sectors, like services, focus on intangible offerings rather than physical products. While construction does involve the physical creation of structures, it is categorized separately from manufacturing. The provision of final goods to consumers is indeed part of the manufacturing process, but the emphasis on the direct use of raw materials is more central to defining the manufacturing sector.