Analysis
NAICS 33211 is the 2022 NAICS industry for forging and stamping, part of 3321 (Forging and Stamping). Census lists 32 example activities under it in the official index.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments fell 16% and employment fell 12%. The 2018 count used NAICS 2017, so part of a large move can come from codes being redefined rather than from businesses opening or closing.
County Business Patterns counts 1,937 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 92,778 people at an average annual payroll of $67,898 per employee (50th percentile of national industries). 19% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which points to larger operations.
Across its national industries Census lists 32 index entries; typical ones are cold forgings made from purchased iron or steel, unfinished, aluminum forgings made from purchased metals, unfinished, custom roll forming metal products and powder metallurgy products manufactured on a job or order….
Its goods appear in 5 statistical lines of the US tariff schedule, mostly under headings 8309 (stoppers, caps and lids (including crown corks, screw caps…), 8205 (handtools (including glass cutters) not elsewhere specified…) and 8708 (parts and accessories of the motor vehicles of headings…). That link is how import data is matched to domestic producers, for example in trade-remedy cases.
Census lists 4 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 331, 33637, 23817 and 33991. Businesses that do several things are classified by their primary activity, the one that generates the most value, so check those boundaries before settling on this code.
Official definition
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in one or more of the following: (1) manufacturing forgings from purchased metals; (2) manufacturing metal custom roll forming products; (3) manufacturing metal stamped and spun products (except automotive, cans, coins); and (4) manufacturing powder metallurgy products. Establishments making metal forgings, metal stampings, and metal spun products and further manufacturing (e.g., machining, assembling) a specific manufactured product are classified in the industry of the finished product. Metal forging, metal stamping, and metal spun products establishments may perform surface finishing operations, such as cleaning and deburring, on the products they manufacture.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing metal forgings in integrated primary metal establishments | 331 Primary Metal Manufacturing |
| Manufacturing automotive stampings | 33637 Motor Vehicle Metal Stamping |
| Forming and installing seamless gutters at construction sites | 23817 Siding Contractors |
| Stamping coins | 33991 Jewelry and Silverware Manufacturing |
Index entries (32)
- Cold forgings made from purchased iron or steel, unfinished
- Aluminum forgings made from purchased metals, unfinished
- Custom roll forming metal products
- Powder metallurgy products manufactured on a job or order basis
- Bottle caps and tops, metal, stamping