NAICS 332431 Quarterly Industry Report
Metal Can Manufacturing
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 332431Sector: 33Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This report provides industry classification and analysis of NAICS 332431 (Metal Can Manufacturing) based on the U.S. Census Bureau 2022 NAICS system[4] and SBA size standards[6]. Published by Fair Market Value and updated quarterly, it draws from Census Bureau data, Bureau of Labor Statistics manufacturing employment data, and Can Manufacturers Institute industry statistics. The editorial analysis reflects the independent assessment of FairMarketValue.com's research team.
Industry Definition & Overview
Metal Can Manufacturing (NAICS 332431) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing metal cans, lids, and ends from tinplate, aluminum, and other light gauge metals U.S. Census Bureau[4]. This sector produces billions of cans annually across food, beverage, aerosol, and general line applications. Tens of thousands of workers staff operations across more than 33 states. Recycling is central to the business model.
Aluminum dominates the material segment due to its lightweight properties, recyclability, and extensive use in beverage packaging, while steel cans remain critical for food preservation applications. Consumer demand for sustainable packaging continues to drive production, particularly in craft beverages and ready-to-drink functional beverage categories. Per the Can Manufacturers Institute, member companies represent over 81 percent of U.S. can production capacity. A handful of large multinational firms control most output.
Manufacturing plants operate primarily as full-service facilities, combining stamping, forming, and finishing operations to produce both two-piece and three-piece containers. Geographic distribution centers on the Midwest, reflecting proximity to raw material suppliers and major beverage and food processing centers. Per Bureau of Labor Statistics[5], fabricated metals remains one of the largest manufacturing employment sectors nationwide. Metal packaging's infinite recyclability without quality degradation gives cans a structural advantage over competing packaging formats in sustainability-conscious consumer markets.
What's Included in This Industry
- Manufacturing aluminum beverage cans
- Manufacturing tinplate and steel food cans
- Manufacturing aerosol cans and pressurized containers
- Manufacturing can lids and ends components
- Two-piece and three-piece can production
- Can design and engineering services
- Metal container quality control and finishing operations
- Custom can manufacturing for branded products
- Production of general line cans for various industries
- Light gauge metal container stamping and forming
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Subsector | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 332 |
| Industry Group | Boiler, Tank, and Shipping Container Manufacturing | 3324 |
| NAICS Industry | Metal Can, Box, and Other Metal Container (Light Gauge) Manufacturing | 33243 |
| National Industry | Metal Can Manufacturing | 332431 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 332439 | Other Metal Container Manufacturing | Other Metal Container Manufacturing produces light gauge metal containers excluding cans, including specialty containers and component parts for industrial and commercial packaging applications. |
| 332420 | Metal Tank (Heavy Gauge) Manufacturing | Metal Tank (Heavy Gauge) Manufacturing produces heavy gauge metal tanks and shipping containers for industrial storage requiring thicker metal construction than lightweight food and beverage cans. |
| 331315 | Aluminum Sheet, Plate, and Foil Manufacturing | Aluminum Sheet, Plate, and Foil Manufacturing produces aluminum sheet materials that serve as primary raw materials for aluminum can manufacturers requiring specific metal thickness and alloy specifications. |
| 331314 | Secondary Smelting and Alloying of Aluminum | Secondary Smelting and Alloying of Aluminum performs smelting and alloying of aluminum scrap and purchased aluminum, providing recycled aluminum material for sustainable can manufacturing operations. |
| 327213 | Glass Container Manufacturing | Glass Container Manufacturing produces glass bottles and jars for beverage and food packaging, representing direct competition to metal cans in premium and specialty beverage market segments. |
| 326111 | Plastics Bag and Pouch Manufacturing | Plastics Bag and Pouch Manufacturing produces flexible packaging for food and beverage applications, offering alternative packaging solutions competing with rigid metal containers in some markets. |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ohio | 11.9% | 19 |
| 2 | California | 9.4% | 15 |
| 3 | Pennsylvania | 8.8% | 14 |
| 4 | Illinois | 8.8% | 14 |
| 5 | Texas | 7.5% | 12 |
| 6 | Wisconsin | 6.9% | 11 |
| 7 | New York | 4.4% | 7 |
| 8 | Colorado | 3.8% | 6 |
| 9 | South Carolina | 3.1% | 5 |
| 10 | Minnesota | 3.1% | 5 |
% Of Establishments
0%
12%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses are classified under NAICS 332431?
NAICS 332431 includes manufacturing operations producing metal cans, can lids, and can ends from aluminum, tinplate, and light gauge steel Census Bureau NAICS 332431[4]. This encompasses beverage can manufacturers, food can manufacturers producing tinplate cans for preserved goods, and aerosol can manufacturers producing pressurized metal containers.
How is the metal can manufacturing industry structured?
The industry operates through vertically integrated manufacturing facilities combining stamping, forming, coating, and finishing operations. Per the Can Manufacturers Institute, member companies account for over 81 percent of U.S. production. A few large multinational corporations dominate production, while regional manufacturers serve specific geographic markets and product segments.
What is the SBA size standard for metal can manufacturers?
The SBA establishes 1,500 employees[6] as the size standard for NAICS 332431 metal can manufacturing businesses. Establishments with 1,500 or fewer employees qualify as small businesses and are eligible for SBA-guaranteed loans and federal contracting set-asides.
What NAICS codes are related to metal can manufacturing?
Related codes include 332439 (Other Metal Container Manufacturing), 332420 (Metal Tank Heavy Gauge Manufacturing), 331315 (Aluminum Sheet Manufacturing), and 327213 (Glass Container Manufacturing) Census Bureau[10]. These industries share manufacturing processes or compete in packaging markets.
What industries supply materials to or purchase from metal can manufacturers?
Primary material suppliers include aluminum sheet manufacturers (NAICS 331315) and secondary aluminum smelters (NAICS 331314). Major customers include breweries (NAICS 312120), soft drink manufacturers (NAICS 312111), and food processors Bureau of Labor Statistics[5]. Plastic and paperboard container manufacturers represent competing packaging alternatives.
What activities and products are included in NAICS 332431?
Activities include manufacturing two-piece aluminum beverage cans, three-piece tinplate food cans, aerosol cans, and can lids and ends Census Bureau[4]. Operations involve metal coil processing, stamping and forming, coating application, end attachment, and quality testing.
Are metal can manufacturers eligible for SBA loan programs?
Where is metal can manufacturing geographically concentrated?
Manufacturing plants operate in 33 states plus Puerto Rico. Per the Can Manufacturers Institute, the industry maintains distributed operations with concentrations in the Midwest near raw material suppliers, transportation infrastructure, and major beverage and food processing centers. Regional clustering provides manufacturing efficiency advantages.
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]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [6]SBA size standards sba.gov
- [7]SBA federal contracting and assistance programs sba.gov
- [8]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [9]504 loan program sba.gov
- [10]Census Bureau census.gov
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