NAICS 331524 Quarterly Industry Report
Aluminum Foundries (except Die-Casting)
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 331524Sector: 33Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry profile for Aluminum Foundries (except Die-Casting) (NAICS 331524) 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 aerospace supply chain investors with current market data. All quantitative claims are sourced to publicly verifiable databases.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the aluminum foundries (except die-casting) industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Aluminum Foundries (except Die-Casting) (NAICS 331524) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in pouring molten aluminum into molds to manufacture aluminum castings using methods other than die-casting per the U.S. Census Bureau[5]. Activities include aluminum sand casting, permanent mold casting, investment casting of aluminum, centrifugal aluminum casting, lost foam aluminum casting, and aluminum casting heat treatment and machining operations. Aluminum foundries using gravity-fed and low-pressure casting methods produce components for aerospace structural parts, automotive suspension and chassis assemblies, industrial pump and valve bodies, marine engine and hardware components, and military vehicle applications. Sand casting handles large, complex, and low-to-medium volume production where tooling costs must remain manageable, while permanent mold casting delivers better surface finish and tighter tolerances for moderate-volume automotive and industrial parts. Lost foam and investment methods serve applications requiring complex internal passages or near-net-shape precision. Per Census Bureau[6] data, aluminum foundries in this classification serve a diverse customer base spanning aerospace, defense, automotive, and industrial equipment markets where aluminum casting provides weight savings and corrosion resistance advantages over ferrous alternatives. Based on the SBA Table of Size Standards[7], the size standard is 500 employees. The EPA[8] regulates air emissions from melting furnaces, core baking ovens, and sand handling systems at aluminum foundry operations. OSHA[9] enforces safety standards for molten aluminum handling, furnace operations, and chemical exposure in foundry production environments.
What's Included in This Industry
- Aluminum sand casting production
- Permanent mold aluminum casting
- Aluminum investment casting operations
- Centrifugal aluminum casting
- Lost foam aluminum casting
- Low-pressure aluminum casting
- Aluminum casting heat treatment
- Pattern and core making operations
- Casting cleaning, grinding, and finishing
- Secondary machining of aluminum castings
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Subsector | Primary Metal Manufacturing | 331 |
| Industry Group | Foundries | 3315 |
| NAICS Industry | Nonferrous Metal Foundries | 33152 |
| National Industry | Aluminum Foundries (except Die-Casting) | 331524 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 331523 | Nonferrous Metal Die-Casting Foundries | Nonferrous Metal Die-Casting Foundries produces aluminum castings through high-pressure injection methods that handle higher volumes at faster cycle times compared to the gravity and low-pressure methods used in this classification |
| 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 alongside aluminum foundries within the broader nonferrous casting sector |
| 331314 | Secondary Smelting and Alloying of Aluminum | Secondary Smelting and Alloying of Aluminum provides recycled alloy ingot tailored to foundry casting specifications, with secondary aluminum feedstock serving both die-casting and gravity casting foundries across the aluminum supply chain |
| 336413 | Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing | Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing purchases aluminum castings for airframe structural fittings, control system housings, and auxiliary equipment components requiring aerospace-grade metallurgical quality and certification |
| 332919 | Other Metal Valve and Pipe Fitting Manufacturing | Other Metal Valve and Pipe Fitting Manufacturing uses aluminum castings for valve bodies, pump housings, and fluid handling components where aluminum provides weight savings and corrosion resistance over ferrous casting alternatives |
| 336414 | Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing | Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing consumes precision aluminum castings for aerospace structural and electronic housing applications requiring tight dimensional tolerances and radiographic inspection quality levels |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ohio | 16.3% | 41 |
| 2 | Pennsylvania | 8.4% | 21 |
| 3 | California | 8.4% | 21 |
| 4 | Michigan | 7.2% | 18 |
| 5 | Illinois | 6.4% | 16 |
| 6 | Texas | 6.0% | 15 |
| 7 | Wisconsin | 5.2% | 13 |
| 8 | New York | 4.0% | 10 |
| 9 | Iowa | 3.6% | 9 |
| 10 | Missouri | 3.2% | 8 |
% Of Establishments
0%
16%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
8
Total SBA Loans
$12.7M
Total Loan Volume
$1.6M
Average Loan Size
25 yrs
Average Loan Term
6.61%
Average Interest Rate
56
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], Aluminum Foundries (except Die-Casting) (NAICS 331524) has a size standard of 500 employees for federal small business contracting purposes. SBA lending programs[11] support qualifying aluminum foundry operations including melting equipment, molding systems, heat treatment furnaces, and quality inspection 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 | U.S. Bank, National Association | 8 | $12.7M | $1.6M |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What is the NAICS code for aluminum sand casting?
NAICS 331524 covers aluminum foundries using sand, permanent mold, investment, and other casting methods excluding high-pressure die-casting 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 aluminum foundry operations excluding die-casting.
What casting methods are included?
Sand casting, permanent mold, investment (lost-wax), centrifugal, lost foam, and low-pressure casting methods per Bureau of Labor Statistics[10] process classification, each suited to different volume, tolerance, and complexity requirements.
What industries use aluminum castings?
Aerospace, defense, automotive, marine, industrial pump and valve, and construction equipment per Census Bureau[6] shipment data represent primary markets where aluminum castings provide weight savings, corrosion resistance, and design flexibility.
What is the difference from die-casting?
What aluminum alloys are commonly cast?
A356 and A357 silicon-aluminum alloys dominate sand and permanent mold casting for their castability and mechanical properties, with 535 and 713 alloys serving applications requiring different strength or corrosion characteristics per industry specification standards.
What environmental regulations apply?
The EPA[8] regulates air emissions from aluminum melting furnaces, core baking ovens, and sand reclamation systems at foundry operations, with NESHAP standards addressing particulate and organic hazardous air pollutant releases.
What safety standards apply?
OSHA[9] enforces safety standards for molten aluminum handling and pouring, furnace operation procedures, sand system dust exposure, and heat stress prevention in aluminum foundry production environments where metal temperatures exceed 1,300 degrees Fahrenheit.
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
- [14]NAICS 331523 census.gov
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