NAICS 333511 Quarterly Industry Report
Industrial Mold Manufacturing
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 333511Sector: 33Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This Fair Market Value industry report covers NAICS 333511 (Industrial Mold 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] manufacturing employment data, and SBA size standard tables. Content addresses industry structure, product scope, and market dynamics for establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing precision molds for casting and forming applications.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the industrial mold manufacturing industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Industrial Mold Manufacturing (NAICS 333511) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing industrial molds for casting metals or forming materials such as plastics, glass, and rubber. Products include injection molds, die casting molds, blow molds, compression molds, and rotational molds used across automotive, medical device, consumer electronics, and packaging industries. Per the Census Bureau[5], this classification covers precision tooling that shapes raw materials into finished components through casting, molding, and forming processes.
Manufacturing processes require advanced CNC machining, electrical discharge machining (EDM), precision grinding, and surface finishing to achieve tolerances within thousandths of an inch. Mold makers design cavity geometry using CAD/CAM software, then machine hardened tool steel, aluminum, or beryllium copper into complex multi-cavity tools. Quality verification uses coordinate measuring machines and 3D scanning systems. Workforce requirements include tool and die makers, CNC programmers, mold designers, and metallurgists who select appropriate steel grades for specific molding applications.
Geographic distribution follows automotive and plastics manufacturing activity. Facilities concentrate in the upper Midwest, particularly Michigan and Ohio, near major automotive OEMs and tier-one suppliers. According to BLS data[6], manufacturing employment distributes across states with established metalworking infrastructure. Additional clusters exist in Pennsylvania, Illinois, and California serving medical device, aerospace, and consumer product markets. Lead times for complex molds range from weeks for simple tools to months for large multi-cavity automotive molds.
What's Included in This Industry
- Injection molds for plastics and rubber components
- Die casting molds for metal forming operations
- Blow molds for container and bottle production
- Compression molds for thermoset materials
- Rotational molds for large hollow parts
- Glass forming molds and related tooling
- Precision mold machining and finishing operations
- Mold design and engineering services
- Mold repair, refurbishment, and modification services
- Custom prototype molds for product development
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Subsector | Machinery Manufacturing | 333 |
| Industry Group | Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing | 3335 |
| NAICS Industry | Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing | 33351 |
| National Industry | Industrial Mold Manufacturing | 333511 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 333514 | Special Die and Tool, Die Set, Jig, and Fixture Manufacturing | Manufactures special dies, die sets, jigs, and fixtures for metalworking operations, sharing precision machining capabilities and tool steel expertise with mold manufacturers but producing stamping and forming tools rather than casting molds |
| 333515 | Cutting Tool and Machine Tool Accessory Manufacturing | Produces cutting tools and machine tool accessories including drill bits, taps, and reamers, sharing metalworking precision and tool material knowledge with mold makers but manufacturing consumable tooling |
| 333517 | Machine Tool Manufacturing | Manufactures metal cutting and metal forming machine tools that mold shops use to produce industrial molds, representing a key capital equipment supply relationship for mold manufacturing operations |
| 333519 | Rolling Mill and Other Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing | Produces rolling mills and other metalworking machinery sharing precision engineering and heavy metal fabrication capabilities with mold manufacturers but serving metal processing applications |
| 332112 | Nonferrous Forging | Manufactures nonferrous metal forgings providing forged mold bases and components, sharing metallurgical expertise and heat treatment capabilities with industrial mold producers |
| 332811 | Metal Heat Treating | Provides metal heat treating services essential for hardening mold steel to required Rockwell hardness specifications, representing a critical outsourced processing step in mold manufacturing |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michigan | 14.1% | 180 |
| 2 | Ohio | 10.0% | 128 |
| 3 | California | 8.1% | 103 |
| 4 | Illinois | 7.8% | 99 |
| 5 | Wisconsin | 6.2% | 79 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | 6.0% | 76 |
| 7 | Minnesota | 4.8% | 61 |
| 8 | Indiana | 4.7% | 60 |
| 9 | New York | 3.6% | 46 |
| 10 | Texas | 3.4% | 43 |
% Of Establishments
0%
14%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
48
Total SBA Loans
$40.8M
Total Loan Volume
$850K
Average Loan Size
13 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.17%
Average Interest Rate
544
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 333511 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 industrial mold 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 | University Bank | 8 | $27.8M | $3.5M |
| 2 | U.S. Bank, National Association | 8 | $7.8M | $973K |
| 3 | Independent Bank | 8 | $2.8M | $350K |
| 4 | Northeast Bank | 16 | $1.2M | $78K |
| 5 | Newtek Bank, National Association | 8 | $1.2M | $150K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses are classified under NAICS 333511?
NAICS 333511 classifies establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing precision molds for casting metals and forming plastics, rubber, and glass. Products include injection molds, die casting molds, blow molds, and compression molds. The Census Bureau[5] distinguishes this from special dies and fixtures (NAICS 333514) and cutting tools (NAICS 333515).
How is the industrial mold manufacturing industry structured?
Most establishments operate as small to mid-size job shops producing custom molds for specific customer applications. Large integrated mold builders serve automotive OEMs with complex multi-cavity tools. Regional shops specialize in particular mold types such as blow molds for packaging or medical device molds requiring cleanroom standards. Few firms manufacture standard catalog molds given the custom nature of tooling design.
What is the SBA size standard for industrial mold manufacturers?
The SBA sets the size standard at 500 employees for NAICS 333511. Firms at or below this threshold qualify as small businesses for federal contracting preferences and SBA lending programs. Details appear in the SBA size standards table[7].
What NAICS codes are closely related to industrial mold manufacturing?
NAICS 333514 covers special dies, jigs, and fixtures sharing precision machining capabilities. NAICS 333515 covers cutting tools sharing tool material expertise. Industry 333517 covers machine tools used to manufacture molds. These adjacent codes reflect shared workforce skills, equipment requirements, and metalworking engineering capabilities.
What industries depend on industrial mold manufacturers?
Automotive manufacturers purchase injection molds and die casting molds for interior trim, body panels, and engine components. Medical device companies require precision molds for surgical instruments and diagnostic housings. Per BLS data[6], manufacturing employment spans diverse sectors that each depend on custom tooling from NAICS 333511 producers.
What activities does NAICS 333511 include?
Covered products include injection molds, die casting molds, blow molds, compression molds, rotational molds, glass forming molds, and prototype tooling. Manufacturing activities span CNC machining, EDM processing, precision grinding, surface finishing, and mold design engineering. Excluded items include special dies for stamping (NAICS 333514) and cutting tools (NAICS 333515).
Are industrial mold manufacturers eligible for SBA loans?
Yes, manufacturers meeting the 500-employee threshold qualify for SBA 7(a) loans, 504 loans, and federal contracting set-asides. The SBA funding programs[10] page details eligibility for manufacturing businesses seeking capital for CNC equipment, facility expansion, and working capital.
Where is industrial mold manufacturing concentrated in the United States?
Michigan and Ohio host the largest concentration of mold manufacturers, positioned near automotive OEMs and tier-one suppliers in the upper Midwest. Pennsylvania and Illinois maintain additional manufacturing clusters. According to BLS employment data[6], metalworking employment concentrates in states with established tool and die infrastructure and proximity to major manufacturing 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 census.gov
- [6]BLS data bls.gov
- [7]Small Business Administration sba.gov
- [8]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [9]504 loans sba.gov
- [10]SBA funding programs sba.gov
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