NAICS 332215 Quarterly Industry Report
Metal Kitchen Cookware, Utensil, Cutlery, and Flatware (except Preciou
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 332215Sector: 33Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry profile for Metal Kitchen Cookware, Utensil, Cutlery, and Flatware Manufacturing (NAICS 332215) 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, consumer products analysts, and housewares industry investors with current market data. All quantitative claims are sourced to publicly verifiable databases.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the metal kitchen cookware, utensil, cutlery, and flatware (except preciou industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Metal Kitchen Cookware, Utensil, Cutlery, and Flatware (except Precious) Manufacturing (NAICS 332215) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing metal kitchen cookware, utensils, and nonprecious metal cutlery and flatware per the U.S. Census Bureau[5]. Activities include stainless steel cookware production, aluminum pot and pan manufacturing, kitchen knife and cutlery forging, flatware stamping and finishing, kitchen utensil fabrication, and bakeware production from steel and aluminum sheet.
Cookware manufacturers produce pots, pans, skillets, and specialty cooking vessels in stainless steel, aluminum, copper-clad, and cast iron materials using deep drawing, spinning, and stamping processes. Kitchen knife manufacturing involves forging or stamping blade blanks, heat treatment for edge hardness, grinding and polishing blade profiles, and handle attachment. Flatware production stamps spoon, fork, and knife blanks from stainless steel strip before grinding, buffing, and plating to final finish. Per Census Bureau[6] data, roughly 200 establishments employ over 7,000 workers with annual payroll exceeding $430 million. Import competition from lower-cost Asian manufacturers has consolidated domestic production toward premium and professional-grade product segments where brand reputation, material quality, and manufacturing heritage support higher price points.
Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[7], the size standard is 750 employees. The FDA[8] regulates food contact surface materials and coatings used in cookware and utensils. OSHA[9] enforces safety standards for press operations, grinding equipment, and polishing wheels in cookware and cutlery manufacturing environments.
What's Included in This Industry
- Stainless steel cookware production
- Aluminum pot and pan manufacturing
- Kitchen knife and cutlery forging
- Flatware stamping and finishing
- Kitchen utensil fabrication
- Bakeware manufacturing from steel and aluminum
- Cookware handle attachment and assembly
- Blade heat treatment and grinding
- Buffing, polishing, and plating operations
- Nonstick coating application
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Subsector | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 332 |
| Industry Group | Cutlery and Handtool Manufacturing | 3322 |
| NAICS Industry | Cutlery and Handtool Manufacturing | 33221 |
| National Industry | Metal Kitchen Cookware, Utensil, Cutlery, and Flatware (except Precious) Manufacturing | 332215 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 332216 | Saw Blade and Handtool Manufacturing | Saw Blade and Handtool Manufacturing produces cutting tools and hand implements that share metallurgical heat treatment, grinding, and edge finishing processes with kitchen cutlery manufacturing operations |
| 332119 | Metal Crown, Closure, and Other Metal Stamping (except Automotive) | Metal Crown, Closure, and Other Metal Stamping provides stamping and deep drawing capabilities used in cookware and bakeware body forming, with stamping operations producing the blank shapes that cookware manufacturers finish and assemble |
| 339910 | Jewelry and Silverware Manufacturing | Jewelry and Silverware Manufacturing produces precious metal flatware and serving pieces that compete in the premium tableware market alongside nonprecious metal flatware covered in this classification |
| 331315 | Aluminum Sheet, Plate, and Foil Manufacturing | Aluminum Sheet, Plate, and Foil Manufacturing supplies aluminum sheet used in cookware and bakeware production, with alloy grade and temper specifications affecting forming characteristics and thermal conductivity performance |
| 332431 | Metal Can Manufacturing | Metal Can Manufacturing shares metal forming technology including deep drawing and stamping with cookware production, with both industries converting flat sheet into three-dimensional metal containers through progressive forming operations |
| 335220 | Major Household Appliance Manufacturing | Major Household Appliance Manufacturing produces cooking appliances that create demand for compatible cookware, with induction-ready stainless steel cookware growing alongside induction cooktop adoption in residential kitchens |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 12.9% | 25 |
| 2 | Ohio | 7.8% | 15 |
| 3 | Florida | 7.8% | 15 |
| 4 | Texas | 5.2% | 10 |
| 5 | New York | 4.7% | 9 |
| 6 | Montana | 4.2% | 8 |
| 7 | Pennsylvania | 4.2% | 8 |
| 8 | Oregon | 4.2% | 8 |
| 9 | Wisconsin | 3.6% | 7 |
| 10 | North Carolina | 3.6% | 7 |
% Of Establishments
0%
13%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
64
Total SBA Loans
$26.5M
Total Loan Volume
$414K
Average Loan Size
13 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.97%
Average Interest Rate
296
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], Metal Kitchen Cookware, Utensil, Cutlery, and Flatware Manufacturing (NAICS 332215) has a size standard of 750 employees for federal small business contracting purposes. SBA lending programs[11] support qualifying cookware and cutlery operations including forming equipment, finishing lines, and production facility 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 | Celtic Bank Corporation | 8 | $11.2M | $1.4M |
| 2 | JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association | 16 | $6.6M | $415K |
| 3 | Northeast Bank | 24 | $4.7M | $196K |
| 4 | Hinsdale Bank & Trust Company, National Association | 8 | $2.0M | $250K |
| 4 | Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company | 8 | $2.0M | $250K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What is the NAICS code for cookware manufacturing?
NAICS 332215 covers metal kitchen cookware, utensil, cutlery, and flatware manufacturing excluding precious metal items per the U.S. Census Bureau[5].
What is the SBA size standard?
Per the SBA size standard[7], the threshold is 750 employees for federal small business contracting eligibility and SBA lending products for cookware and cutlery manufacturing operations.
How large is this industry?
Per Census Bureau[6] data, roughly 200 establishments employ over 7,000 workers with annual payroll exceeding $430 million across cookware, utensil, cutlery, and flatware manufacturing operations.
What materials are used in cookware?
Stainless steel, aluminum, copper-clad stainless, and carbon steel serve as primary cookware materials per Bureau of Labor Statistics[10] product data, with each offering different thermal conductivity and durability characteristics.
How are kitchen knives manufactured?
Knife production involves forging or stamping blade blanks from high-carbon or stainless steel, heat treating for hardness, grinding blade profiles, polishing surfaces, and attaching handles per Census Bureau[6] process classification.
What FDA regulations apply?
The FDA[8] regulates materials and coatings used on food contact surfaces in cookware and utensils, including nonstick coatings, ceramic glazes, and metal alloy compositions that may transfer substances to food during cooking.
How has import competition affected the industry?
Lower-cost Asian manufacturing has consolidated domestic production toward premium and professional-grade segments per Census Bureau[6] trade data, with established brands competing through material quality, design innovation, and heritage positioning.
What safety standards apply?
OSHA[9] enforces workplace safety standards for stamping press operations, grinding wheel and buffing equipment guarding, chemical exposure during plating and coating, and ergonomic hazards from repetitive assembly tasks in manufacturing 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]FDA fda.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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