NAICS 332996 Quarterly Industry Report
Fabricated Pipe and Pipe Fitting Manufacturing
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 332996Sector: 33Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This Fair Market Value industry report covers NAICS 332996 (Fabricated Pipe and Pipe Fitting Manufacturing) using the 2022 North American Industry Classification System. Data sources include the U.S. Census Bureau[5] NAICS classification, Bureau of Labor Statistics[6] employment data for fabricated metal product manufacturing, and SBA size standard documentation. Content addresses industry structure, manufacturing processes, and market dynamics for establishments primarily engaged in secondary fabrication of pipe products from purchased metal pipe stock.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the fabricated pipe and pipe fitting manufacturing industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Fabricated Pipe and Pipe Fitting Manufacturing (NAICS 332996) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in fabricating metal pipes and pipe fittings from purchased pipe through cutting, threading, and bending operations. This industry serves multiple end markets including oil and gas, commercial construction, HVAC systems, plumbing, water treatment, and industrial process piping. According to the Census Bureau[5], this classification specifically excludes establishments manufacturing pipe from purchased steel (NAICS 331210) and cast iron pipe foundries (NAICS 331511).
Manufacturing methods range from basic cutting and threading to complex multi-process fabrication tailored to customer specifications. Standard equipment includes pipe cutting saws, CNC threading machines, hydraulic benders, orbital welding systems, and surface preparation stations. Quality demands vary by application, with oil and gas projects requiring ASME and API certifications while commercial construction follows local plumbing and mechanical codes. Skilled pipefitters and welders form the core workforce.
Geographic distribution follows customer concentration patterns. Facilities cluster near petrochemical corridors along the Gulf Coast, around major construction markets in Texas and California, and throughout the industrial Midwest. Transportation costs for bulky pipe assemblies give local fabricators an advantage over distant competitors. BLS employment data[6] shows fabricated metal manufacturing employment concentrating in the South and Midwest regions, reflecting these demand centers.
What's Included in This Industry
- Cutting, threading, and bending of purchased metal pipe
- Fabrication of metal pipe fittings and couplings
- Welding and joining of pipe sections and assemblies
- Custom pipe spool fabrication to engineering specifications
- Surface finishing and coating of fabricated pipe products
- Pipe support systems, hangers, and clamps
- Threading and tapping operations on metal pipe
- Pressure testing and quality inspection of fabricated assemblies
- Pipe prefabrication for modular construction projects
- Custom piping system assembly for industrial 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 | Fabricated Pipe and Pipe Fitting Manufacturing | 332996 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 332919 | Other Metal Valve and Pipe Fitting Manufacturing | Manufactures metal valves and pipe fittings through broader production methods including casting and machining, distinguished from NAICS 332996 which focuses specifically on fabrication from purchased pipe stock |
| 332913 | Plumbing Fixture Fitting and Trim Manufacturing | Produces plumbing fixture fittings and trim components that connect to fabricated pipe systems, serving overlapping end markets in residential and commercial construction plumbing applications |
| 331210 | Iron and Steel Pipe and Tube Manufacturing from Purchased Steel | Manufactures iron and steel pipes and tubes from purchased steel through welding and drawing processes, producing the primary raw material inputs that NAICS 332996 establishments fabricate into finished products |
| 332311 | Prefabricated Metal Building and Component Manufacturing | Manufactures prefabricated metal plate work for tanks, pressure vessels, and process equipment that connects to fabricated piping systems in industrial installations and process plants |
| 332420 | Metal Tank (Heavy Gauge) Manufacturing | Produces metal tanks for storage applications that integrate with fabricated piping systems for fluid transport, creating complementary product relationships in industrial and commercial installations |
| 332710 | Machine Shops | Provides machine shop services including precision machining of pipe flanges, adapters, and specialty fittings that complement fabricated pipe assemblies produced under NAICS 332996 |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 16.9% | 120 |
| 2 | California | 9.3% | 66 |
| 3 | Pennsylvania | 6.2% | 44 |
| 4 | Ohio | 5.2% | 37 |
| 5 | Michigan | 5.1% | 36 |
| 6 | Illinois | 4.7% | 33 |
| 7 | Oklahoma | 4.1% | 29 |
| 8 | Wisconsin | 3.5% | 25 |
| 9 | Louisiana | 3.5% | 25 |
| 10 | North Carolina | 3.0% | 21 |
% Of Establishments
0%
17%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
72
Total SBA Loans
$53.8M
Total Loan Volume
$747K
Average Loan Size
10 yrs
Average Loan Term
8.49%
Average Interest Rate
1,048
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: The Small Business Administration[7] sets the size standard for NAICS 332996 at 500 employees. Firms averaging 500 or fewer employees over the preceding 12 months qualify as small businesses for SBA loan programs, federal contracting set-asides, and small business certifications. This threshold applies to establishments where fabricated pipe and pipe fitting production represents the primary business activity. 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 | The Huntington National Bank | 24 | $27.5M | $1.1M |
| 2 | Atlantic Union Bank | 16 | $16.9M | $1.1M |
| 3 | Granite Bank | 8 | $4.4M | $548K |
| 4 | Nicolet National Bank | 8 | $4.3M | $543K |
| 5 | Emprise Bank | 16 | $631K | $39K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses are classified under NAICS 332996?
NAICS 332996 classifies establishments primarily engaged in fabricating metal pipes and pipe fittings from purchased pipe through cutting, threading, bending, and welding operations. This includes pipe spool fabricators, custom piping contractors with shop fabrication facilities, and specialty fitting manufacturers. The Census Bureau[5] distinguishes these operations from primary pipe manufacturing (NAICS 331210) and cast iron foundry pipe production (NAICS 331511).
How is the fabricated pipe manufacturing industry structured?
The industry includes large fabrication shops serving oil and gas or industrial process markets alongside smaller operations focused on commercial construction piping. Large shops operate multiple CNC threading stations, automated cutting lines, and orbital welding cells for high-volume production. Smaller firms often specialize in custom fabrication for local contractors and mechanical engineers. Many establishments hold ASME certifications for pressure piping and maintain quality management systems required by end users.
What is the SBA size standard for fabricated pipe manufacturers?
The SBA sets the size standard at 500 employees for NAICS 332996. Firms at or below this threshold qualify as small businesses for federal contracting preferences and SBA lending programs. Size standard details appear in the SBA size standards table[7].
What NAICS codes are closely related to fabricated pipe manufacturing?
NAICS 331210 covers primary pipe manufacturing from purchased steel, producing the raw pipe stock that 332996 establishments fabricate. NAICS 332919 covers broader metal valve and pipe fitting manufacturing. Market 332913 covers plumbing fixture fittings. NAICS 332911 covers industrial valve manufacturing. These codes share overlapping supply chains and customer markets within the piping and flow control sector.
What industries depend on fabricated pipe products?
Oil and gas operations require fabricated piping for drilling, production, and refining installations. Construction contractors install fabricated pipe assemblies in commercial HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection systems. Industrial manufacturers use process piping for chemical, food, and pharmaceutical production. Water and wastewater utilities specify fabricated pipe for treatment plant infrastructure. The Bureau of Labor Statistics[6] tracks employment patterns reflecting these demand sources.
What activities does NAICS 332996 include?
Covered activities include cutting, threading, bending, and welding of purchased metal pipe, fabrication of pipe fittings and couplings, custom spool assembly, pressure testing, and surface finishing. Pipe support hardware including hangers and clamps is also included. Excluded activities include manufacturing pipe from raw steel (NAICS 331210), casting iron pipe (NAICS 331511), and manufacturing valves (NAICS 332911).
Are fabricated pipe manufacturers eligible for SBA loans?
Yes, fabricated pipe manufacturers meeting the 500-employee threshold qualify for SBA 7(a) loans, 504 loans, and federal contracting set-asides. These programs support equipment purchases, facility expansion, and working capital needs. The SBA lending programs[10] page details eligibility criteria and application processes for manufacturing businesses.
Where is fabricated pipe manufacturing concentrated in the United States?
Fabrication shops concentrate along the Gulf Coast near petrochemical and refining operations in Texas and Louisiana. Additional clusters exist in the industrial Midwest near manufacturing centers in Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, and in California near construction and utility markets. Proximity to end users matters because fabricated pipe assemblies are heavy and expensive to ship. According to BLS data[6], fabricated metal manufacturing employment clusters in the South and Midwest.
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 census.gov
- [6]BLS employment data bls.gov
- [7]Small Business Administration sba.gov
- [8]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [9]504 loans sba.gov
- [10]SBA lending programs sba.gov
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