NAICS 332991 Quarterly Industry Report
Ball and Roller Bearing Manufacturing
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 332991Sector: 33Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This report covers NAICS 332991 (Ball and Roller Bearing Manufacturing) compiled by Fair Market Value using data from the U.S. Census Bureau[5], Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED)[7], and the American Bearing Manufacturers Association[6]. Industry data reflects 2022 NAICS classifications verified against government sources. This report is updated quarterly as new statistical releases become available. Additional data is drawn from Bureau of Labor Statistics[8], SBA[9].. NAICS 332991 analysis supports business valuations, M&A comparables, and lending assessments.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the ball and roller bearing manufacturing industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Ball and Roller Bearing Manufacturing (NAICS 332991) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing ball and roller bearings of all materials. Per the Census Bureau 2022 NAICS classification[5], this industry falls within Industry Group 3329 (Other Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing). Major product categories include unmounted ball bearings, tapered roller bearings, spherical roller bearings, cylindrical roller bearings, needle roller bearings, and bearing parts sold separately. Precision engineering defines this sector.
The American Bearing Manufacturers Association (ABMA)[6] represents member companies manufacturing 85 percent of all bearings produced in the United States. Production requires specialized grinding, honing, and heat treatment equipment capable of achieving sub-micron tolerances on hardened steel races and rolling elements. Chrome steel, stainless steel, and ceramic hybrid materials serve different application requirements. Capital intensity is high.
Automotive applications consume the largest market share, with bearings used in engine assemblies, wheel hubs, transmissions, and climate systems. Aerospace, industrial machinery, medical devices, and consumer electronics represent additional end markets. Geographic concentration clusters in the Southeast, Great Lakes, and Mid-Atlantic regions near downstream manufacturing customers. Per FRED producer price data[7], bearing prices reflect raw material costs, energy inputs, and demand cycles. Import competition from Japan, China, and Europe pressures commodity bearing segments while domestic producers maintain advantages in custom and application-engineered products.
What's Included in This Industry
- Ball bearings, unmounted, all sizes and materials
- Tapered roller bearings and assemblies
- Spherical roller bearings
- Cylindrical roller bearings
- Needle roller bearings
- Bearing balls and rollers sold separately
- Parts and components for ball and roller bearings
- Bearing assembly and custom configuration services
- Ceramic hybrid bearings for high-speed applications
- Miniature and instrument bearings for precision applications
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Subsector | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 332 |
| Industry Group | Other Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 3329 |
| NAICS Industry | All Other Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 33299 |
| National Industry | Ball and Roller Bearing Manufacturing | 332991 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 332999 | All Other Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | All Other Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing includes metal products not classified elsewhere, while NAICS 332991 specifically covers ball and roller bearing production requiring specialized grinding and heat treatment. |
| 332710 | Machine Shops | Machine Shops provide contract CNC machining and grinding services for bearing races, housings, and mounting components, serving as subcontractors to bearing manufacturers. |
| 332811 | Metal Heat Treating | Metal Heat Treating provides thermal processing (carburizing, hardening, tempering) essential to achieving the metallurgical properties required in bearing races and rolling elements. |
| 331110 | Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing | Iron and Steel Mills supply chrome steel bar stock, specialty alloy steels, and through-hardened bearing steel grades that serve as primary material inputs for bearing production. |
| 333111 | Farm Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing | Farm Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing is a major downstream customer for bearings used in combine harvesters, tractors, tillage equipment, and agricultural implement drivetrain systems. |
| 333611 | Turbine and Turbine Generator Set Units Manufacturing | Turbine and Turbine Generator Set Units Manufacturing requires high-precision bearings rated for extreme temperatures, speeds, and loads in power generation turbine applications. |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Carolina | 9.4% | 15 |
| 2 | Illinois | 9.4% | 15 |
| 3 | California | 8.8% | 14 |
| 4 | Indiana | 7.5% | 12 |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 7.5% | 12 |
| 6 | Ohio | 7.5% | 12 |
| 7 | Connecticut | 6.9% | 11 |
| 8 | North Carolina | 5.0% | 8 |
| 9 | Kentucky | 5.0% | 8 |
| 10 | Georgia | 5.0% | 8 |
% Of Establishments
0%
9%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
8
Total SBA Loans
$2.0M
Total Loan Volume
$250K
Average Loan Size
10 yrs
Average Loan Term
9.50%
Average Interest Rate
16
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: The SBA size standard for NAICS 332991 is 1,250 employees[10]. Bearing manufacturers with fewer than 1,250 employees qualify as small businesses for federal contracting and SBA loan programs. Manufacturers can access SBA 7(a) loans[11] for equipment and working capital. SBA 504 loans provide fixed-rate financing for major capital investments in grinding, heat treatment, and inspection equipment. Federal defense procurement creates additional opportunities for qualified small bearing producers.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association | 8 | $2.0M | $250K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses are classified under NAICS 332991?
NAICS 332991 includes manufacturers of ball bearings, tapered roller bearings, spherical and cylindrical roller bearings, needle bearings, and bearing parts. Businesses range from large multinational bearing companies (Timken, SKF, RBC Bearings) to specialized producers of miniature, ceramic hybrid, or application-specific bearings.
How is NAICS 332991 structured within the manufacturing sector?
NAICS 332991 falls within Industry Group 3329 (Other Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing), part of Subsector 332 (Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing). Per the Census Bureau[5], this classification specifically covers ball and roller bearing manufacturing, distinguished from other fabricated metal products.
What is the SBA size standard for NAICS 332991?
The SBA size standard for Ball and Roller Bearing Manufacturing is 1,250 employees[10]. Businesses averaging fewer than 1,250 employees qualify as small businesses for SBA loan programs and federal contracting.
How does NAICS 332991 differ from related manufacturing codes?
NAICS 332991 specifically covers ball and roller bearing production. NAICS 332999 covers miscellaneous fabricated metal products. Regional 332710 covers general machine shop services. Bearing manufacturing requires specialized grinding, honing, and heat treatment equipment not typical of general metalworking operations.
What industries are the primary customers for bearings?
Primary customers include automotive manufacturers (wheel hubs, transmissions, engines), aerospace companies (jet engines, flight controls), industrial machinery producers, medical device manufacturers, and electronics companies. Per the ABMA[6], member companies serve all major industrial sectors requiring rotational motion components.
What activities are included in NAICS 332991?
Activities include bearing race grinding and honing, rolling element production, heat treatment (carburizing, hardening, tempering), bearing assembly, quality inspection, and custom bearing engineering. Materials processing includes chrome steel, stainless steel, and ceramic hybrid component production.
Are bearing manufacturers eligible for SBA loans?
Yes, manufacturers meeting the 1,250-employee threshold qualify for SBA 7(a) loans[11] and 504 loans for equipment, facility, and working capital financing. Defense bearing procurement creates additional opportunities through federal small business set-aside programs.
Where is bearing manufacturing geographically concentrated?
Production clusters in the Southeast, Great Lakes, and Mid-Atlantic regions. Per BLS data[12], states with strong manufacturing bases (Ohio, Michigan, South Carolina, Connecticut, Pennsylvania) support bearing production facilities near automotive, aerospace, and industrial machinery customers.
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 2022 NAICS classification census.gov
- [6]American Bearing Manufacturers Association (ABMA) americanbearings.org
- [7]FRED producer price data fred.stlouisfed.org
- [8]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [9]SBA sba.gov
- [10]SBA size standard for NAICS 332991 is 1,250 employees sba.gov
- [11]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [12]BLS data bls.gov
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