NAICS 331491 Quarterly Industry Report
Nonferrous Metal (except Copper and Aluminum) Rolling, Drawing, and Ex
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 331491Sector: 33Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry profile for Nonferrous Metal (except Copper and Aluminum) Rolling, Drawing, and Extruding (NAICS 331491) draws on data from the U.S. Census Bureau[5], Bureau of Labor Statistics[9], and SBA size standards database[6]. Published by Fair Market Value and updated quarterly, it provides valuation professionals, specialty metals analysts, and nonferrous sector investors with current market data. All quantitative claims are sourced to publicly verifiable databases.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the nonferrous metal (except copper and aluminum) rolling, drawing, and ex industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Nonferrous Metal (except Copper and Aluminum) Rolling, Drawing, and Extruding (NAICS 331491) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in rolling, drawing, or extruding shapes from purchased nonferrous metals other than copper and aluminum, or recovering these metals from scrap and processing shapes in integrated mills per the U.S. Census Bureau[4]. Activities include zinc strip and sheet rolling, nickel alloy bar and rod production, lead sheet and pipe forming, titanium billet rolling and forging, precious metal wire drawing, and magnesium extrusion. This classification covers fabrication of specialty nonferrous metals serving aerospace, defense, electronics, chemical processing, and medical device industries that require specific corrosion resistance, temperature tolerance, or mechanical properties unavailable from steel, copper, or aluminum. Titanium and nickel superalloy processing serves jet engine, airframe, and chemical plant applications requiring high strength-to-weight ratios and extreme temperature performance. Zinc rolling produces sheet for stamping into battery casings, building hardware, and corrosion-resistant components. Lead sheet production serves radiation shielding, roofing, and acid-resistant lining applications. Per Census Bureau[5] data, over 140 establishments employ roughly 14,500 workers processing diverse nonferrous metals into bar, plate, sheet, strip, tube, and wire forms. Based on the SBA Table of Size Standards[6], the size standard is 750 employees. The EPA[7] regulates air emissions, wastewater, and hazardous waste from metal processing operations, with particular attention to lead and cadmium exposure controls. OSHA[8] enforces permissible exposure limits for toxic metals and safety standards for heavy rolling and drawing equipment in processing facilities.
What's Included in This Industry
- Zinc strip and sheet rolling
- Nickel alloy bar and rod production
- Lead sheet and pipe forming
- Titanium billet rolling and processing
- Precious metal wire drawing
- Magnesium extrusion operations
- Specialty alloy tube drawing
- Nonferrous metal foil production
- Integrated scrap recovery and shape processing
- Refractory metal rolling and forming
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Subsector | Primary Metal Manufacturing | 331 |
| Industry Group | Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Production and Processing | 3314 |
| NAICS Industry | Nonferrous Metal (except Copper and Aluminum) Rolling, Drawing, Extruding, and Alloying | 33149 |
| National Industry | Nonferrous Metal (except Copper and Aluminum) Rolling, Drawing, and Extruding | 331491 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 331410 | Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Smelting and Refining | Nonferrous Metal Smelting and Refining produces refined zinc, lead, nickel, and other metals that rolling and drawing mills purchase as primary raw material for fabrication into mill products |
| 331492 | Secondary Smelting, Refining, and Alloying of Nonferrous Metal (except Copper and Aluminum) | Secondary Smelting, Refining, and Alloying of Nonferrous Metal recovers zinc, lead, and other metals from scrap for sale to fabricators alongside primary refined metal from smelting operations |
| 331420 | Copper Rolling, Drawing, Extruding, and Alloying | Copper Rolling, Drawing, Extruding, and Alloying operates parallel nonferrous fabrication using copper as its primary metal, with both classifications converting refined metal into bar, sheet, tube, and wire mill products |
| 331318 | Other Aluminum Rolling, Drawing, and Extruding | Other Aluminum Rolling, Drawing, and Extruding processes aluminum through rolling, drawing, and extrusion alongside zinc, nickel, and titanium processors in this classification within the broader nonferrous metals manufacturing sector |
| 336412 | Aircraft Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing | Aircraft Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing purchases titanium and nickel superalloy mill products for jet engine components requiring high-temperature performance and fatigue resistance properties |
| 339113 | Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing | Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing uses titanium, cobalt-chrome, and specialty alloy mill products for implant devices and surgical instruments requiring biocompatibility and corrosion resistance |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 11.1% | 23 |
| 2 | Pennsylvania | 9.7% | 20 |
| 3 | Ohio | 8.2% | 17 |
| 4 | New York | 7.3% | 15 |
| 5 | Texas | 6.8% | 14 |
| 6 | Connecticut | 6.3% | 13 |
| 7 | Illinois | 5.3% | 11 |
| 8 | Indiana | 4.8% | 10 |
| 9 | Michigan | 4.3% | 9 |
| 10 | Rhode Island | 4.3% | 9 |
% Of Establishments
0%
11%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What is the NAICS code for specialty metals fabrication?
NAICS 331491 covers nonferrous metal rolling, drawing, and extruding for metals other than copper and aluminum, including zinc, nickel, lead, titanium, and precious metals per the U.S. Census Bureau[4].
What is the SBA size standard?
Per the SBA size standard[6], the threshold is 750 employees for federal small business contracting eligibility and SBA lending products for nonferrous metal rolling and extruding operations.
How large is this industry?
Per Census Bureau[5] data, over 140 establishments employ roughly 14,500 workers processing diverse nonferrous metals into bar, plate, sheet, strip, tube, and wire forms for aerospace, defense, and industrial markets.
What metals are processed in this classification?
Per Bureau of Labor Statistics[9] industry data, processed metals include zinc, nickel, titanium, lead, magnesium, precious metals, and refractory metals such as tungsten, molybdenum, and tantalum.
What industries use these products?
Aerospace, defense, chemical processing, medical devices, and electronics represent primary end markets per Census Bureau[5] shipment data, with specialty alloy requirements driving demand for titanium, nickel, and precious metal mill products.
What environmental regulations apply?
The EPA[7] regulates air emissions, wastewater discharges, and hazardous waste from metal processing operations, with particular attention to lead, cadmium, and chromium exposure controls at nonferrous fabrication facilities.
How does this differ from copper and aluminum fabrication?
What safety standards apply?
OSHA[8] enforces permissible exposure limits for lead, cadmium, nickel, and chromium in metal processing workplaces, along with machine guarding, noise control, and heavy equipment safety standards for rolling and drawing operations.
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]Census Bureau data.census.gov
- [6]SBA Table of Size Standards sba.gov
- [7]EPA epa.gov
- [8]OSHA osha.gov
- [9]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [10]SBA lending programs sba.gov
- [11]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [12]504 loans sba.gov
- [13]NAICS 331420 census.gov
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