NAICS 327213 Quarterly Industry Report
Glass Container Manufacturing
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 327213Sector: 32Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This Fair Market Value industry report for NAICS 327213 provides business owners, acquirers, and financial advisors with data-driven valuation insights for the glass container manufacturing sector, drawing on data from the U.S. Census Bureau[4] and the Bureau of Labor Statistics[5]. The report aggregates transaction multiples, financial benchmarks, and market trends specific to NAICS 327213 establishments, supporting buy-sell agreements, succession planning, SBA-financed acquisitions, and litigation support engagements.
Industry Definition & Overview
Glass Container Manufacturing (NAICS 327213) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing glass packaging containers including bottles, jars, jugs, and other glass containers for food, beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and chemical products. According to the U.S. Census Bureau[4], roughly 82 companies operate within this classification, employing over 14,300 workers in an industry dominated by a small number of large producers operating multiple high-output furnaces with automated IS (individual section) forming machines.
The manufacturing process begins with batch mixing of silica sand, soda ash, limestone, and cullet (recycled glass), followed by melting in continuous regenerative furnaces at temperatures exceeding 2,800 degrees Fahrenheit. Molten glass gobs are then formed into containers through either press-and-blow or blow-and-blow processes on IS machines running at speeds exceeding 500 containers per minute. The Bureau of Labor Statistics[5] identifies production roles including batch house operators, furnace operators monitoring temperature and glass homogeneity, IS machine operators controlling gob distribution and forming cycles, cold-end inspection operators using automated camera systems, and mold shop technicians maintaining and repairing forming tooling.
Per the SBA Office of Advocacy[6], the glass container industry serves as a critical packaging supplier to food, beer, wine, spirits, and pharmaceutical markets. Glass containers compete with plastics bottles, aluminum cans, and cartons across beverage segments. Environmental benefits of infinite recyclability and inert food contact properties support glass demand in premium packaging applications where brand image and product quality perception drive material choice.
What's Included in This Industry
- Valuation multiples benchmarked to glass container manufacturing operations
- Revenue and EBITDA trends for domestic glass container production
- SBA lending data and financing terms for NAICS 327213 businesses
- Comparable transaction data from recent glass container company acquisitions
- Industry risk factors including energy costs, cullet supply, and competing materials
- Workforce composition and labor cost benchmarks for container production
- Regional market analysis covering major glass container plant locations
- Capital expenditure benchmarks for furnaces, IS machines, and inspection systems
- End-market analysis across beer, wine, spirits, food, and pharmaceutical segments
- Owner compensation and discretionary earnings benchmarks
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Subsector | Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | 327 |
| Industry Group | Glass and Glass Product Manufacturing | 3272 |
| NAICS Industry | Glass and Glass Product Manufacturing | 32721 |
| National Industry | Glass Container Manufacturing | 327213 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 327212 | Other Pressed and Blown Glass and Glassware Manufacturing | Pressed and blown glass manufacturers sharing glass melting and forming technology but producing specialty glassware, lighting glass, and tableware rather than packaging containers |
| 327211 | Flat Glass Manufacturing | Flat glass manufacturers sharing furnace technology and silica sand raw materials but producing flat architectural glass rather than shaped packaging containers |
| 327215 | Glass Product Manufacturing Made of Purchased Glass | Glass product manufacturers working with purchased glass classified separately from container producers that melt raw materials in their own furnaces |
| 326160 | Plastics Bottle Manufacturing | Plastics bottle manufacturers producing competing PET and HDPE packaging containers that directly compete with glass bottles in beverage and food markets |
| 332431 | Metal Can Manufacturing | Metal can manufacturers producing aluminum and steel beverage and food cans that directly compete with glass containers in beer, soft drink, and food packaging |
| 312120 | Breweries | Brewery operations consuming glass bottles as a primary packaging format, with beer representing one of the largest end-use markets for glass container production |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 19.4% | 12 |
| 2 | Texas | 14.5% | 9 |
| 3 | New Jersey | 12.9% | 8 |
| 4 | Indiana | 8.1% | 5 |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 6.5% | 4 |
| 6 | Missouri | 6.5% | 4 |
| 7 | Georgia | 6.5% | 4 |
| 8 | Oklahoma | 6.5% | 4 |
| 9 | Ohio | 4.8% | 3 |
| 10 | North Carolina | 4.8% | 3 |
% Of Establishments
0%
19%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses are classified under NAICS 327213?
NAICS 327213 covers manufacturers producing glass packaging containers including bottles, jars, jugs, and carboys for food, beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and chemical products. Per the U.S. Census Bureau[10], the classification covers glass container production from melted raw materials; other glass products like tableware and lighting components fall under 327212.
How is the glass container industry structured?
A small number of large multinational producers dominate the market, operating multiple plants with continuous furnaces and high-speed IS forming machines. These producers supply major beer, wine, spirits, and food companies under long-term contracts. A smaller tier of specialty container producers serves niche markets including craft spirits, premium wine, and pharmaceutical applications with custom mold designs and shorter production runs.
What is the SBA size standard for NAICS 327213?
The SBA classifies a glass container manufacturer as a small business if it employs fewer than 1,250 workers. Per the SBA size standards table[7], this high threshold reflects the capital-intensive continuous production nature of container glass manufacturing, where a single furnace rebuild can cost tens of millions of dollars.
What NAICS codes are most closely related to 327213?
Code 327212 covers other pressed and blown glass products. Code 327211 addresses flat glass production. Smaller 326160 covers competing plastics bottles. Per the Census Bureau[10], the packaging container focus distinguishes 327213 from other glass manufacturing classifications that produce non-container products.
What industries interact most with glass container manufacturers?
Breweries (312120) and wineries drive the largest volume of glass bottle demand. Spirits producers require distinctive bottle designs. Food companies purchase jars for sauces and preserves. Pharmaceutical firms need sterile glass vials and bottles. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics[5], alcoholic beverage production volumes are the single strongest demand driver for glass container output.
What specific activities fall under NAICS 327213?
Covered activities include silica sand batch mixing and melting in regenerative furnaces, gob formation and distribution to IS forming machines, press-and-blow and blow-and-blow container forming, annealing in lehrs, cold-end inspection using automated camera systems, mold design and fabrication, and cullet processing and recycling for furnace feed.
Are glass container manufacturers eligible for SBA loans?
Yes, producers with fewer than 1,250 employees qualify for SBA financing. The SBA 7(a) program[8] covers business acquisitions and working capital, while the CDC/504 program[9] finances furnace rebuilds, forming equipment, and inspection systems. SBA programs primarily serve specialty container producers given the scale of mainstream glass manufacturing.
Where are glass container manufacturing operations concentrated in the U.S.?
Container plants locate near major food and beverage filling operations and silica sand sources to minimize transport costs on heavy glass products. The Midwest, Southeast, and California host major production facilities. Per the Census Bureau[11], states with concentrated wine, beer, and food processing industries support the most glass container plants.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [4]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [5]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [6]SBA Office of Advocacy advocacy.sba.gov
- [7]SBA size standards sba.gov
- [8]SBA 7(a) loan program sba.gov
- [9]CDC/504 loan program sba.gov
- [10]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [11]Census Bureau data.census.gov
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