NAICS 332311 Quarterly Industry Report
Prefabricated Metal Building and Component Manufacturing
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 332311Sector: 33Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry profile for Prefabricated Metal Building and Component Manufacturing (NAICS 332311) draws on data from the U.S. Census Bureau 2022 NAICS classification[5], the Small Business Administration size standards[6], and the Bureau of Labor Statistics[7]. Published by Fair Market Value and updated quarterly, it provides valuation professionals, business owners, lenders, and brokers with authoritative industry intelligence. The editorial analysis reflects the independent assessment of FairMarketValue.com's research team, with all quantitative claims sourced to publicly verifiable databases.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the prefabricated metal building and component manufacturing industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Prefabricated Metal Building and Component Manufacturing (NAICS 332311) encompasses establishments engaged in fabricating metal buildings, panels, and sections for commercial, industrial, and warehouse applications. These businesses manufacture complete building systems produced in controlled factory environments and assembled at customer sites, offering reduced erection time, high durability, and cost efficiency compared to conventional construction methods Census Bureau, NAICS 332311[5].
Warehouses, distribution centers, industrial facilities, and commercial structures represent the primary end-markets. Metal building systems have become a standard in construction. Major manufacturers produce thousands of buildings annually, and this sector differs from general structural metal fabrication by focusing specifically on complete, engineered building systems rather than custom-fabricated structural components. Industry participants use mass-customization techniques, employing modular components that allow customers to select specifications such as size, color, door placement, and panel profiles.
Skilled labor availability, fluctuating steel prices, and transportation costs for large prefabricated components present ongoing challenges. Margins depend heavily on steel procurement timing. Most firms maintain long-term supplier relationships to buffer raw material volatility, and regional distribution networks reduce freight costs for these bulky products. Building codes and energy efficiency standards also shape product design, pushing manufacturers toward improved insulation systems and tighter panel tolerances that meet current commercial construction requirements.
What's Included in This Industry
- Manufacturing prefabricated metal buildings and building sections
- Production of metal panels, framing components, and structural sections
- Fabrication of metal building systems with pre-engineered designs
- Production of insulated metal panels and specialized building components
- Manufacturing metal building accessories and fastening systems
- Production of metal roof and wall panels for prefabricated buildings
- Fabrication of pre-engineered building components in factory settings
- Assembly of complete knock-down building kits for shipment to customers
- Manufacturing of metal columns, beams, and trusses for prefabricated buildings
- Production of metal girts, purlins, and secondary structural members
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Subsector | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 332 |
| Industry Group | Architectural and Structural Metals Manufacturing | 3323 |
| NAICS Industry | Plate Work and Fabricated Structural Product Manufacturing | 33231 |
| National Industry | Prefabricated Metal Building and Component Manufacturing | 332311 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 332312 | Fabricated Structural Metal Manufacturing | Fabricated Structural Metal Manufacturing encompasses broader structural metal fabrication work including concrete reinforcing assemblies and bar joists, distinguished from 332311 by focus on custom-made components rather than prefabricated building systems. |
| 332321 | Metal Window and Door Manufacturing | Metal Window and Door Manufacturing specifically produces metal windows and doors that may be incorporated into building systems but focuses narrowly on fenestration products rather than complete building packages. |
| 331110 | Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing | Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing produces raw steel and primary shapes that serve as input materials for metal building manufacturers, representing upstream supply chain operations. |
| 331221 | Rolled Steel Shape Manufacturing | Rolled Steel Shape Manufacturing transforms purchased steel into structural shapes and reinforcing products that may be components in prefabricated buildings but focuses on shape production rather than complete building assembly. |
| 236220 | Commercial and Institutional Building Construction | Commercial and Institutional Building Construction covers on-site assembly and erection of prefabricated building components, representing the construction phase that follows manufacturing and distinguishing manufacturing from installation services. |
| 332431 | Metal Can Manufacturing | Metal Can Manufacturing represents a separate specialty within fabricated metal products that has no direct relationship to building systems or construction applications despite shared metal fabrication processes. |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 16.1% | 127 |
| 2 | California | 8.0% | 63 |
| 3 | Florida | 6.3% | 50 |
| 4 | Georgia | 5.9% | 47 |
| 5 | North Carolina | 4.5% | 36 |
| 6 | Missouri | 4.2% | 33 |
| 7 | Alabama | 3.9% | 31 |
| 8 | Ohio | 3.7% | 29 |
| 9 | Pennsylvania | 3.4% | 27 |
| 10 | Illinois | 2.6% | 21 |
% Of Establishments
0%
16%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
112
Total SBA Loans
$33.4M
Total Loan Volume
$298K
Average Loan Size
11 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.16%
Average Interest Rate
968
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: The SBA size standard for NAICS 332311 is 750 average full-time or part-time employees over the last 24 months SBA Table of Size Standards[6]. Businesses not exceeding this employee threshold qualify as small businesses eligible for SBA-guaranteed loans, government contracts reserved for small business, and other support programs. This size standard places prefabricated metal building manufacturing in the mid-size category of SBA-defined industries, indicating a more fragmented market structure than heavily consolidated sectors. Eligible businesses can access SBA 7(a) loans[8] for working capital, equipment, and acquisition financing, while 504 loans[9] support major fixed-asset purchases including real estate and heavy machinery.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dogwood State Bank | 16 | $12.9M | $804K |
| 2 | Newtek Bank, National Association | 32 | $8.0M | $250K |
| 3 | TD Bank, National Association | 16 | $4.0M | $250K |
| 4 | St. Charles Bank & Trust Company, National Association | 8 | $2.8M | $350K |
| 5 | Lendistry SBLC, LLC | 8 | $2.4M | $300K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses are classified under NAICS 332311?
NAICS 332311 includes manufacturers of prefabricated metal buildings and building components. Typical businesses encompass metal building manufacturers producing warehouse systems, industrial facilities, and commercial structures, as well as manufacturers of specialized metal building panels, insulated metal systems, and structural components manufactured in factory settings. The key characteristic is that these establishments primarily produce complete or near-complete building systems designed for assembly at customer sites rather than construction services or custom structural fabrication.
How is the metal building manufacturing industry structured?
The prefabricated metal building industry encompasses both large integrated manufacturers and smaller specialized component producers. Most market includes several major national manufacturers with multiple production facilities serving large geographic areas, as well as regional and specialty producers. Industry Metal Building Manufacturers Association represents building systems members certified to industry standards . Industry participants range from manufacturers focused entirely on complete building systems to producers specializing in specific components such as insulated panels or specialized accessories.
What is the SBA size standard for NAICS 332311?
The Small Business Administration designates 750 average full-time or part-time employees over the last 24 months as the size standard for NAICS 332311. Companies not exceeding this employee threshold qualify as small businesses for federal contracting, SBA-guaranteed loans, and other support programs SBA Table of Size Standards[6].
What NAICS codes are most closely related to NAICS 332311?
The most closely related NAICS codes are NAICS 332312 (Fabricated Structural Metal Manufacturing) and NAICS 332321 (Metal Window and Door Manufacturing). NAICS 332312 distinguishes itself from 332311 through broader focus on custom structural metal fabrication including concrete reinforcing assemblies and bar joists, rather than complete prefabricated building systems. NAICS 332321 specifically manufactures metal windows and doors that may be incorporated into buildings but represents a narrower product focus.
What industries are closely related to prefabricated metal building manufacturing?
Primary related industries include commercial and institutional building construction (NAICS 236220), which purchases and installs prefabricated metal systems; structural metal fabrication (NAICS 332312), which shares manufacturing processes and supply chains; and primary steel production (NAICS 331110), which supplies raw materials. Construction contractors and general contractors specializing in warehouse and industrial projects represent major customers.
What specific activities are included in NAICS 332311?
Establishments classified in NAICS 332311 primarily engage in manufacturing prefabricated metal buildings, metal panels, and building sections in controlled factory environments. Included activities involve cutting and forming steel according to engineered specifications, assembling prefabricated components, manufacturing insulated metal panels, fabricating metal roof and wall panels, producing metal structural members such as columns and trusses, and assembling complete building kits in knock-down condition for shipment Census Bureau NAICS 332311[5].
Are prefabricated metal building manufacturers generally eligible for SBA loans?
Yes, prefabricated metal building manufacturers meeting the SBA size standard of 750 employees generally qualify as small businesses eligible for SBA-guaranteed loans and other support programs. Qualification also depends on meeting other SBA criteria regarding business structure and control. These businesses may qualify for government contracts reserved for small businesses and various training and technical assistance programs SBA Funding Programs[10].
Which states have the highest concentration of prefabricated metal building manufacturers?
Metal fabrication and manufacturing activity concentrates heavily in the Midwest region. Indiana maintains notably high metal manufacturing employment at about twice the national average, with Wisconsin, Ohio, and Michigan also showing substantial employment concentrations in metal fabrication Bureau of Labor Statistics[11]. Western states including Arizona and Washington have experienced growth in fabricated metal product employment in recent years.
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]Census Bureau, NAICS 332311 census.gov
- [6]Small Business Administration size standards sba.gov
- [7]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [8]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [9]504 loans sba.gov
- [10]SBA Funding Programs sba.gov
- [11]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.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.