NAICS 327331 Quarterly Industry Report
Concrete Block and Brick Manufacturing
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 327331Sector: 32Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This Fair Market Value industry report for NAICS 327331 provides business owners, acquirers, and financial advisors with data-driven valuation insights for the concrete block and brick sector, drawing on data from the U.S. Census Bureau[5] and the Bureau of Labor Statistics[6]. The report aggregates transaction multiples, financial benchmarks, and market trends specific to NAICS 327331 establishments, supporting buy-sell agreements, succession planning, SBA-financed acquisitions, and litigation support engagements.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the concrete block and brick manufacturing industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Concrete Block and Brick Manufacturing (NAICS 327331) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing concrete block and concrete brick products. Additionally, concrete masonry units (CMUs) serve as structural and architectural building components in residential, commercial, and infrastructure construction. Products include standard gray block, architectural block with split-face, ground-face, and burnished finishes, concrete brick, retaining wall systems, segmental paving units, and specialty masonry shapes. According to the U.S. Census Bureau[5], roughly 143 establishments operate in this classification, employing over 16,200 workers. Manufacturing involves proportioning cement, aggregates, water, and admixtures in batch mixers, feeding the zero-slump concrete into block machines with vibrating mold boxes, stripping formed units onto steel pallets, curing blocks in steam kilns or autoclave chambers, and cubing finished units for storage and shipment. The Bureau of Labor Statistics[6] identifies production roles including batch plant operators proportioning raw materials, block machine operators managing vibration and compaction parameters, kiln operators controlling curing temperature and humidity profiles, yard workers cubing and loading finished products, and quality technicians testing compressive strength, absorption, and dimensional compliance. Per the SBA Office of Advocacy[7], concrete block producers serve local construction markets within a limited shipping radius due to the heavy, low-value-per-ton nature of their products. Demand follows commercial and institutional construction activity, where CMU walls provide fire resistance, sound attenuation, and structural capacity. Residential foundation and below-grade construction provides additional steady demand, while architectural block products compete with clay brick, precast panels, and other cladding materials.
What's Included in This Industry
- Valuation multiples benchmarked to concrete block manufacturing operations
- Revenue and EBITDA trends for domestic concrete masonry production
- SBA lending data and financing terms for NAICS 327331 businesses
- Comparable transaction data from recent concrete block company acquisitions
- Industry risk factors including cement costs, construction cycles, and competing materials
- Workforce composition and labor cost benchmarks for block production operations
- Regional market analysis covering block plant distribution and local competition
- Capital expenditure benchmarks for block machines, curing kilns, and batching equipment
- End-market analysis across commercial, institutional, residential, and hardscape segments
- Owner compensation and discretionary earnings benchmarks
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Subsector | Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | 327 |
| Industry Group | Cement and Concrete Product Manufacturing | 3273 |
| NAICS Industry | Concrete Pipe, Brick, and Block Manufacturing | 32733 |
| National Industry | Concrete Block and Brick Manufacturing | 327331 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 327332 | Concrete Pipe Manufacturing | Concrete pipe, brick, and block manufacturers producing concrete pipe products alongside masonry units, with many producers manufacturing both block and pipe at the same facility |
| 327320 | Ready-Mix Concrete Manufacturing | Ready-mix concrete manufacturers sharing cement and aggregate suppliers but delivering wet concrete to construction sites rather than producing preformed masonry units |
| 327310 | Cement Manufacturing | Cement manufacturers supplying portland and masonry cement consumed as the primary binding ingredient in concrete block and brick production batching operations |
| 327120 | Clay Building Material and Refractories Manufacturing | Clay brick manufacturers producing competing masonry building products from fired clay rather than cement and aggregate, serving overlapping wall construction applications |
| 327390 | Other Concrete Product Manufacturing | Other concrete product manufacturers producing precast wall panels, architectural precast, and specialty concrete items that compete with CMU construction in building envelopes |
| 212321 | Construction Sand and Gravel Mining | Sand and gravel mining operators supplying lightweight and normal-weight aggregates consumed as the bulk raw material in concrete block production batching |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida | 10.8% | 67 |
| 2 | Pennsylvania | 7.4% | 46 |
| 3 | California | 7.0% | 43 |
| 4 | Texas | 5.2% | 32 |
| 5 | New York | 4.5% | 28 |
| 6 | Michigan | 4.2% | 26 |
| 7 | Ohio | 4.2% | 26 |
| 8 | Arizona | 3.7% | 23 |
| 9 | Kentucky | 2.9% | 18 |
| 10 | Minnesota | 2.9% | 18 |
% Of Establishments
0%
11%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
16
Total SBA Loans
$5.6M
Total Loan Volume
$350K
Average Loan Size
9 yrs
Average Loan Term
8.88%
Average Interest Rate
320
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: Concrete block manufacturers qualify as small businesses under the SBA size standards[8] for NAICS 327331, which set the threshold at 500 employees. The SBA 7(a) loan program[9] supports acquisitions of existing block plants and working capital for cement and aggregate inventory, while the CDC/504 loan program[10] provides long-term fixed-rate financing for block machines, curing kilns, batching systems, and yard equipment. Lenders evaluate local market position, block machine production capacity, and construction market conditions when underwriting block manufacturing loans.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stellar Bank | 8 | $3.6M | $450K |
| 2 | Tompkins Community Bank | 8 | $2.0M | $250K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses are classified under NAICS 327331?
NAICS 327331 covers manufacturers producing concrete masonry units (CMUs), concrete block, and concrete brick. Products include standard gray block, architectural block with decorative finishes, segmental retaining wall units, concrete paving brick, and specialty masonry shapes. Per the U.S. Census Bureau[11], the classification covers block and brick produced from cement and aggregates, distinguishing them from clay brick classified under 327120.
How is the concrete block industry structured?
The industry includes large multi-plant producers operating regional networks of block plants, mid-sized single-plant operations serving metropolitan markets, and small producers in rural areas. Block production is inherently local due to high freight cost relative to product value, typically limiting economic delivery to within 100 to 150 miles. Producers differentiate through architectural finish options, specialty products, and delivery reliability.
What is the SBA size standard for NAICS 327331?
The SBA classifies a concrete block manufacturer as a small business if it employs fewer than 500 workers, measured as the 24-month average of full-time and part-time employees. Per the SBA size standards table[8], this threshold encompasses most concrete block operations, making SBA financing broadly accessible.
What NAICS codes are most closely related to 327331?
Code 327332 covers concrete pipe alongside block as the closest classification. Code 327320 addresses ready-mix concrete sharing cement suppliers. Regional 327120 covers competing clay brick products. Code 327390 captures precast concrete products. Per the Census Bureau[11], the preformed masonry unit focus distinguishes 327331 from wet concrete delivery (327320) and precast structural products (327390).
What industries interact most with concrete block manufacturers?
Masonry contractors (238140) lay block walls in commercial, institutional, and residential construction. Building material distributors (423320) supply block to contractors. Commercial builders specify CMU for fire-rated and structural walls. Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics[6], commercial and institutional construction spending directly drives concrete masonry demand.
What specific activities fall under NAICS 327331?
Covered activities include batching cement, aggregates, and admixtures, block machine forming with vibrating mold boxes, steam kiln and autoclave curing, split-face and ground-face architectural finishing, retaining wall system unit production, concrete paving brick manufacturing, and cubing, storage, and delivery logistics for finished masonry products.
Are concrete block manufacturers eligible for SBA loans?
Yes, block producers with fewer than 500 employees qualify for SBA financing. The SBA 7(a) program[9] covers business acquisitions and working capital, while the CDC/504 program[10] finances block machines, curing kilns, and batching equipment with long-term fixed-rate terms suited to capital-intensive manufacturing.
Where are concrete block manufacturing operations concentrated in the U.S.?
Block plants distribute near active construction markets. Florida, Texas, the Southeast, and California host significant production capacity aligned with building activity. Heavy product weight limits delivery radius, so plants position near population and construction centers. Per the Census Bureau[12], the 143 establishments reflect a localized industry where market boundaries align with transportation cost constraints.
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. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [5]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [6]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [7]SBA Office of Advocacy advocacy.sba.gov
- [8]SBA size standards sba.gov
- [9]SBA 7(a) loan program sba.gov
- [10]CDC/504 loan program sba.gov
- [11]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [12]Census Bureau data.census.gov
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