NAICS 331221 Quarterly Industry Report
Rolled Steel Shape Manufacturing
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 331221Sector: 33Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This Fair Market Value industry report for NAICS 331221 integrates data from the U.S. Census Bureau[5] economic profiles, Bureau of Labor Statistics[6] employment surveys, and SBA size standard publications[7]. Our research team analyzes steel processing volumes, product mix trends, and downstream demand patterns to provide valuation context for rolled steel operations. Updated quarterly, each data point is sourced to its originating government or institutional database.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the rolled steel shape manufacturing industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Rolled Steel Shape Manufacturing (NAICS 331221) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in rolling or drawing shapes such as plate, sheet, strip, rod, and bar from purchased steel. These processors buy steel slabs, billets, blooms, or hot-rolled coil from primary steel mills and further process them through hot rolling, cold rolling, pickling, annealing, tempering, slitting, and cutting operations to produce finished or semi-finished steel products.
Products from this industry serve automotive stamping, appliance manufacturing, construction, container production, and general industrial fabrication. Cold-rolled sheet and strip represent a major product segment, delivering tighter dimensional tolerances and better surface quality than hot-rolled products. According to the U.S. Census Bureau[5], this classification specifically covers rolling and drawing operations that start from purchased steel, distinguishing these processors from integrated mills that make their own steel.
The industry includes both large steel service companies with multiple processing facilities and smaller regional processors serving local manufacturing customers. Hot-rolled plate and bar processors serve structural and heavy industrial applications, while cold-rolled sheet and strip processors target precision markets requiring close gauge control and surface finish. Galvanizing, tinplating, and other coating operations performed on purchased flat-rolled steel also fall within this classification when combined with rolling or drawing activities. Import competition and trade policy affect pricing and demand across all product segments.
What's Included in This Industry
- Cold rolling of steel sheet and strip from purchased coil
- Hot rolling of steel plate and bar from purchased steel
- Steel rod drawing and processing from purchased material
- Steel strip slitting and cut-to-length processing
- Steel pickling, annealing, and tempering operations
- Flat-rolled steel galvanizing at processing facilities
- Steel sheet coating and surface treatment operations
- Steel bar turning, peeling, and straightening
- Tin mill product manufacturing from purchased steel
- Steel shape re-rolling and processing operations
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Subsector | Primary Metal Manufacturing | 331 |
| Industry Group | Steel Product Manufacturing from Purchased Steel | 3312 |
| NAICS Industry | Rolling and Drawing of Purchased Steel | 33122 |
| National Industry | Rolled Steel Shape Manufacturing | 331221 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 331110 | Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing | Iron and steel mills produce their own steel and roll it into shapes at integrated facilities, while this code covers rolling operations using purchased steel input |
| 331210 | Iron and Steel Pipe and Tube Manufacturing from Purchased Steel | Iron and steel pipe manufacturing from purchased steel forms tubular products rather than flat-rolled, bar, or rod shapes produced by this industry |
| 331222 | Steel Wire Drawing | Steel wire drawing from purchased steel specializes in drawing purchased rod into wire, a specific subset of steel processing distinct from broader shape rolling |
| 331313 | Alumina Refining and Primary Aluminum Production | Alumina refining and primary aluminum production processes nonferrous metal through rolling and drawing operations similar to steel shape manufacturing |
| 423510 | Metal Service Centers and Other Metal Merchant Wholesalers | Metal service centers purchase rolled steel shapes for warehousing and further processing, serving as both customers and competitors in steel distribution |
| 332312 | Fabricated Structural Metal Manufacturing | Fabricated structural metal manufacturing consumes rolled steel plates, shapes, and bars as primary raw material inputs for structural steel fabrication |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pennsylvania | 15.5% | 32 |
| 2 | Ohio | 15.5% | 32 |
| 3 | Illinois | 11.6% | 24 |
| 4 | Michigan | 9.2% | 19 |
| 5 | California | 6.8% | 14 |
| 6 | Texas | 6.8% | 14 |
| 7 | Indiana | 5.8% | 12 |
| 8 | Tennessee | 4.8% | 10 |
| 9 | New Jersey | 3.4% | 7 |
| 10 | Alabama | 2.9% | 6 |
% Of Establishments
0%
15%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
32
Total SBA Loans
$84.4M
Total Loan Volume
$2.6M
Average Loan Size
13 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.50%
Average Interest Rate
1,784
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: The SBA[7] classifies Rolled Steel Shape Manufacturing under NAICS 331221 with a size standard of 1,000 employees. Steel processing facilities vary widely in scale, from large flat-rolled processors with multiple coating and finishing lines to smaller bar and rod processors serving regional markets. Many operations fall below the SBA ceiling, qualifying for SBA lending programs[8] and federal small business contracting preferences. Capital equipment for rolling mills, pickling lines, and coating systems represents the primary investment category. Eligible businesses can access SBA 7(a) loans[9] for working capital, equipment, and acquisition financing, while 504 loans[10] support major fixed-asset purchases including real estate and heavy machinery.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Live Oak Banking Company | 8 | $40.0M | $5.0M |
| 1 | Newtek Bank, National Association | 8 | $40.0M | $5.0M |
| 3 | CDC Small Business Finance Corp. | 8 | $2.8M | $350K |
| 4 | Readycap Lending, LLC | 8 | $1.6M | $200K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses are classified under NAICS 331221?
NAICS 331221 covers processors that roll or draw steel shapes from purchased steel, including cold-rolled sheet and strip producers, hot-rolled plate and bar processors, steel rod processors, and flat-rolled coating and finishing operations. Per the U.S. Census Bureau[5], the key qualifier is that these establishments start from purchased steel rather than producing their own.
How is NAICS 331221 structured within the classification hierarchy?
This code belongs to Industry Group 3312 (Steel Product Manufacturing from Purchased Steel), Subsector 331 (Primary Metal Manufacturing), and Sector 31-33 (Manufacturing). It shares Industry Group 3312 with 331210 (pipe and tube) and 331222 (wire drawing), all processing purchased steel into different product forms.
What is the SBA size standard for NAICS 331221?
The SBA[7] sets the size standard at 1,000 employees for Rolled Steel Shape Manufacturing. Firms below this threshold qualify as small businesses for SBA loan programs and federal contracting set-asides.
What NAICS codes are most closely related to 331221?
Sibling codes 331210 (pipe and tube) and 331222 (wire drawing) share the purchased-steel processing characteristic. Code 331110 (iron and steel mills) covers integrated rolling operations. Metal service centers (423510) both purchase from and compete with rolled steel processors. Per NAICS classifications, the boundary is between making steel (331110) and processing purchased steel (3312x).
What industries have the strongest ties to rolled steel shape manufacturing?
Sheet metal work manufacturing (332322) and forging (332111) consume rolled steel products directly. Metal service centers (423510) distribute processed steel shapes. Commercial construction (236220) uses structural shapes, plate, and bar. Automotive stamping operations consume cold-rolled sheet. Metal tank manufacturers (332420) use plate and sheet for vessel fabrication.
What specific activities are included in NAICS 331221?
Activities include cold rolling steel sheet and strip, hot rolling plate and bar, drawing steel rod, slitting and cutting coil to length, pickling, annealing, tempering, galvanizing flat-rolled steel, tinplating, and surface coating operations. According to Census Bureau data[5], all rolling and drawing operations on purchased steel, except wire drawing and pipe forming, fall under this code.
Can rolled steel processors access SBA loans?
Yes. Processors with fewer than 1,000 employees qualify for SBA loan programs[8] including 7(a) loans for working capital, 504 loans for rolling mills, coating lines, and plant facilities, and export financing programs. These loans help mid-size steel processors invest in production capacity and product quality improvements.
Where is rolled steel shape manufacturing concentrated in the United States?
Processing facilities cluster near primary steel mills and major manufacturing centers. The Great Lakes states of Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania host the largest concentration of flat-rolled processors serving automotive and industrial markets. Southern states including Alabama, Arkansas, and Tennessee support additional processing capacity near minimill steel suppliers. Texas and California processors serve regional construction and manufacturing demand.
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 data.census.gov
- [6]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [7]SBA size standard publications sba.gov
- [8]SBA lending programs sba.gov
- [9]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [10]504 loans sba.gov
Disclaimer
This publication has been prepared by Fair Market Value (“Fair Market Value”) for informational purposes only. It is provided on an “as-is” and “as available” basis. Fair Market Value makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, regarding the merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, completeness, or accuracy of the data or information contained herein. This publication is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, professional financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. Users should consult with qualified professionals before making any financial or business decisions based on the information presented.
To the extent permitted by law, Fair Market Value disclaims all liability for loss or damage, direct and indirect, suffered or incurred by any person resulting from the use of, or reliance upon, the data in this publication.
Copyright © 2026 Fair Market Value. All rights reserved. All data, information, articles, graphs, and content contained in this publication are copyrighted works and Fair Market Value hereby reserves all rights. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced, republished, uploaded to a third party, or distributed without the prior written permission of Fair Market Value.