NAICS 331523 Quarterly Industry Report
Nonferrous Metal Die-Casting Foundries
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 331523Sector: 33Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry profile for Nonferrous Metal Die-Casting Foundries (NAICS 331523) draws on data from the U.S. Census Bureau[6], Bureau of Labor Statistics[10], and SBA size standards database[7]. Published by Fair Market Value and updated quarterly, it provides valuation professionals, metals casting analysts, and automotive supply chain investors with current market data. All quantitative claims are sourced to publicly verifiable databases.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the nonferrous metal die-casting foundries industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Nonferrous Metal Die-Casting Foundries (NAICS 331523) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in introducing molten nonferrous metal under high pressure into molds or dies to make die-castings per the U.S. Census Bureau[5]. Activities include aluminum die-casting for automotive and industrial components, zinc die-casting for hardware and electronics housings, magnesium die-casting for lightweight structural parts, die design and maintenance, and casting trimming, machining, and finishing operations.
Die-casting forces molten aluminum, zinc, or magnesium alloys into precision steel dies at pressures ranging from 1,500 to 25,000 PSI, producing high-volume components with excellent dimensional consistency and surface finish. Automotive powertrain and structural components represent the largest end market, with transmission cases, engine brackets, steering housings, and electric vehicle battery enclosures driving production volume. Hot-chamber die-casting handles zinc and magnesium alloys where the injection system remains immersed in molten metal, while cold-chamber machines process aluminum alloys using separate melting and injection operations. Per Census Bureau[6] data, roughly 190 establishments employ over 31,600 workers generating nearly $7.5 billion in annual revenue with payroll exceeding $1.6 billion. Electric vehicle adoption has created new demand for large aluminum structural castings produced on mega-casting machines with 6,000-9,000 ton clamping force.
Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[7], the size standard is 500 employees. The EPA[8] regulates hazardous air pollutant emissions from die-casting under NESHAP standards covering melting furnaces, die lubrication, and metal treatment operations. OSHA[9] enforces safety standards for hydraulic press operation, molten metal handling, and die maintenance procedures in die-casting production environments.
What's Included in This Industry
- Aluminum die-casting production
- Zinc die-casting manufacturing
- Magnesium die-casting operations
- Hot-chamber die-casting processes
- Cold-chamber die-casting processes
- Die design, construction, and maintenance
- Casting trimming and deburring
- Secondary machining of die castings
- Surface finishing and coating operations
- Die-cast component assembly services
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Subsector | Primary Metal Manufacturing | 331 |
| Industry Group | Foundries | 3315 |
| NAICS Industry | Nonferrous Metal Foundries | 33152 |
| National Industry | Nonferrous Metal Die-Casting Foundries | 331523 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 331524 | Aluminum Foundries (except Die-Casting) | Aluminum Foundries produces aluminum castings through sand, permanent mold, and other gravity methods that complement die-casting for lower-volume production runs or components requiring different metallurgical properties |
| 331529 | Other Nonferrous Metal Foundries (except Die-Casting) | Other Nonferrous Metal Foundries produces copper, bronze, and specialty alloy castings through sand and permanent mold methods that serve different end markets from the high-volume aluminum and zinc die-castings in this classification |
| 331314 | Secondary Smelting and Alloying of Aluminum | Secondary Smelting and Alloying of Aluminum provides recycled alloy ingot that die-casting foundries purchase as feedstock, with secondary aluminum specifications tailored to casting alloy requirements for automotive components |
| 336310 | Motor Vehicle Gasoline Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing | Motor Vehicle Gasoline Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing purchases die-cast aluminum transmission cases, engine brackets, and structural components representing the largest single customer segment for automotive die-casting production |
| 336390 | Other Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing | Other Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing consumes die-cast housings, brackets, and structural components for steering systems, braking components, and chassis assemblies in both internal combustion and electric vehicle platforms |
| 333511 | Industrial Mold Manufacturing | Industrial Mold Manufacturing designs and builds the precision steel dies that die-casting foundries use to produce components, with die tooling representing a major capital investment for each new casting program |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michigan | 10.8% | 33 |
| 2 | California | 9.8% | 30 |
| 3 | Ohio | 8.1% | 25 |
| 4 | Illinois | 7.8% | 24 |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 6.5% | 20 |
| 6 | Wisconsin | 5.9% | 18 |
| 7 | Indiana | 4.9% | 15 |
| 8 | Minnesota | 4.2% | 13 |
| 9 | Missouri | 3.9% | 12 |
| 10 | Massachusetts | 3.9% | 12 |
% Of Establishments
0%
11%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
32
Total SBA Loans
$13.1M
Total Loan Volume
$410K
Average Loan Size
9 yrs
Average Loan Term
8.96%
Average Interest Rate
504
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[7], Nonferrous Metal Die-Casting Foundries (NAICS 331523) has a size standard of 500 employees for federal small business contracting purposes. SBA lending programs[11] support qualifying die-casting operations including casting machines, die tooling, melting equipment, and finishing line investments. Eligible businesses can access SBA 7(a) loans[12] for working capital, equipment, and acquisition financing, while 504 loans[13] support major fixed-asset purchases including real estate and heavy machinery.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | KeyBank National Association | 8 | $8.5M | $1.1M |
| 2 | Sullivan Bank | 8 | $2.8M | $350K |
| 3 | U.S. Bank, National Association | 16 | $1.8M | $112K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What is the NAICS code for die-casting?
NAICS 331523 covers nonferrous metal die-casting foundries that produce aluminum, zinc, and magnesium castings by injecting molten metal under high pressure into steel dies per the U.S. Census Bureau[5].
What is the SBA size standard?
Per the SBA size standard[7], the threshold is 500 employees for federal small business contracting eligibility and SBA lending products for nonferrous die-casting foundry operations.
How large is the die-casting industry?
Per Census Bureau[6] data, roughly 190 establishments employ over 31,600 workers generating nearly $7.5 billion in annual revenue with payroll exceeding $1.6 billion across aluminum, zinc, and magnesium die-casting production.
What is the difference between hot and cold chamber?
Hot-chamber machines keep the injection system submerged in molten metal for zinc and magnesium casting, while cold-chamber machines use separate melting for aluminum alloys per Bureau of Labor Statistics[10] process classification.
What is the largest end market?
Automotive powertrain and structural components represent the largest end market per Census Bureau[6] shipment data, with transmission cases, engine brackets, and steering housings accounting for the majority of die-casting production volume.
How has electric vehicle adoption affected die-casting?
Electric vehicle platforms have created demand for large structural aluminum castings produced on mega-casting machines with 6,000-9,000 ton clamping force per Census Bureau[6] industry reports, replacing multiple stamped and welded components.
What environmental regulations apply?
The EPA[8] regulates hazardous air pollutant emissions from die-casting melting furnaces, die lubricant application, and metal treatment operations under NESHAP standards applicable to nonferrous foundry operations.
What safety standards apply?
OSHA[9] enforces workplace safety standards for hydraulic die-casting machine operation, molten metal transfer and handling, die change and maintenance lockout procedures, and noise exposure in high-volume production environments.
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]Census Bureau data.census.gov
- [7]SBA Table of Size Standards sba.gov
- [8]EPA epa.gov
- [9]OSHA osha.gov
- [10]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [11]SBA lending programs sba.gov
- [12]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [13]504 loans sba.gov
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