NAICS 333514 Quarterly Industry Report
Special Die and Tool, Die Set, Jig, and Fixture Manufacturing
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 333514Sector: 33Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This Fair Market Value industry report covers NAICS 333514 (Special Die and Tool, Die Set, Jig, and Fixture 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 tooling for production manufacturing applications.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the special die and tool, die set, jig, and fixture manufacturing industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Special Die and Tool, Die Set, Jig, and Fixture Manufacturing (NAICS 333514) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing special tools, dies, die sets, jigs, and fixtures used in cutting, forming, and stamping metal and other materials. Products include progressive dies, transfer dies, blanking dies, forming dies, die sets, production jigs, welding fixtures, and assembly fixtures. Per the Census Bureau[5], this classification covers custom precision tooling that enables high-volume manufacturing operations across automotive, aerospace, appliance, and general industrial sectors.
Tool and die shops operate as highly specialized precision manufacturers. Manufacturing processes require CNC milling, wire EDM, surface grinding, and hand fitting to produce tools with tolerances measured in thousandths of an inch. Die makers develop designs using CAD software, select appropriate tool steels based on production volume and material requirements, then machine and assemble complete die assemblies. Heat treating, surface coating, and tryout testing complete the production process. Skilled tool and die makers represent the core workforce, supported by CNC programmers, apprentices, and design engineers.
Geographic distribution concentrates in the industrial Midwest near major stamping and forming operations. Michigan, Ohio, and Illinois host the largest clusters of tool and die shops positioned near automotive manufacturing customers. According to BLS data[6], metalworking machinery manufacturing employment distributes across states with established industrial infrastructure. Additional clusters exist in Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Wisconsin serving diverse manufacturing markets requiring custom tooling for production operations.
What's Included in This Industry
- Progressive dies for high-speed stamping operations
- Transfer dies and blanking dies for metal forming
- Die sets including die shoes and guide components
- Jigs for drilling, boring, and production machining
- Welding fixtures and assembly fixtures
- Checking fixtures and inspection gauges
- Special tools for cutting and forming operations
- Die tryout and testing services
- Tool and die repair and modification services
- Custom fixture design and engineering
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Subsector | Machinery Manufacturing | 333 |
| Industry Group | Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing | 3335 |
| NAICS Industry | Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing | 33351 |
| National Industry | Special Die and Tool, Die Set, Jig, and Fixture Manufacturing | 333514 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 333511 | Industrial Mold Manufacturing | Manufactures industrial molds for casting metals and forming plastics, sharing precision machining capabilities, tool steel expertise, and skilled workforce with die and fixture manufacturers |
| 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 die manufacturers but producing consumable tooling |
| 333517 | Machine Tool Manufacturing | Manufactures metal cutting and forming machine tools including stamping presses that use dies produced under NAICS 333514, representing a key equipment supply relationship |
| 333519 | Rolling Mill and Other Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing | Produces rolling mills and other metalworking machinery sharing heavy precision engineering and metal forming expertise with die and fixture manufacturers serving metalworking industries |
| 332215 | Metal Kitchen Cookware, Utensil, Cutlery, and Flatware (except Precious) Manufacturing | Operates metal stamping facilities that purchase progressive dies, transfer dies, and blanking dies from NAICS 333514 manufacturers as essential production tooling |
| 332811 | Metal Heat Treating | Provides metal heat treating services essential for hardening die steels to required specifications, representing a critical outsourced processing step in die manufacturing |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michigan | 20.6% | 411 |
| 2 | Ohio | 9.8% | 196 |
| 3 | Illinois | 6.9% | 138 |
| 4 | Indiana | 6.5% | 130 |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 6.5% | 129 |
| 6 | California | 6.3% | 125 |
| 7 | Wisconsin | 5.9% | 117 |
| 8 | Tennessee | 3.4% | 67 |
| 9 | Texas | 2.9% | 58 |
| 10 | Connecticut | 2.8% | 55 |
% Of Establishments
0%
21%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
56
Total SBA Loans
$65.4M
Total Loan Volume
$1.2M
Average Loan Size
11 yrs
Average Loan Term
9.00%
Average Interest Rate
912
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 333514 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 special die, tool, jig, or fixture 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 | 16 | $34.0M | $2.1M |
| 2 | Huron Community Bank | 16 | $18.0M | $1.1M |
| 3 | Comerica Bank | 8 | $8.2M | $1.0M |
| 4 | Northeast Bank | 8 | $4.0M | $500K |
| 5 | Lendistry SBLC, LLC | 8 | $1.2M | $150K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses are classified under NAICS 333514?
NAICS 333514 classifies establishments commonly known as tool and die shops that manufacture special dies, die sets, jigs, and fixtures for production manufacturing. Products include progressive stamping dies, transfer dies, welding fixtures, and assembly fixtures. The Census Bureau[5] distinguishes this from industrial molds (NAICS 333511) and cutting tools (NAICS 333515).
How is the tool and die industry structured?
Most establishments operate as small independent job shops with fewer than 50 employees, producing custom tooling for specific customer applications. Some larger shops employ hundreds of workers and serve major automotive OEMs with complete die lines. Captive tool rooms within large manufacturers also perform die work internally. The industry remains fragmented with thousands of small shops competing on precision quality, lead time, and technical expertise.
What is the SBA size standard for tool and die manufacturers?
The SBA sets the size standard at 500 employees for NAICS 333514. 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 tool and die manufacturing?
NAICS 333511 covers industrial molds sharing precision machining capabilities. NAICS 333515 covers cutting tools sharing metalworking expertise. Larger 333517 covers machine tools used in die production. These adjacent codes reflect shared workforce skills, equipment requirements, and the broader metalworking machinery manufacturing sector.
What industries depend on tool and die manufacturers?
Automotive stamping operations purchase progressive and transfer dies for body panel and component production. Appliance manufacturers buy forming dies for sheet metal housings. Per BLS data[6], manufacturing employment across metalworking sectors depends on custom tooling produced by NAICS 333514 establishments.
What activities does NAICS 333514 include?
Covered products include progressive dies, transfer dies, blanking dies, die sets, production jigs, welding fixtures, assembly fixtures, and checking gauges. Manufacturing activities span CNC machining, wire EDM, grinding, hand fitting, and die tryout. Excluded items include industrial molds (NAICS 333511), cutting tools (NAICS 333515), and machine tools (NAICS 333517).
Are tool and die 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, EDM machines, and working capital.
Where is tool and die manufacturing concentrated in the United States?
Michigan hosts the largest concentration of tool and die shops, positioned near Detroit-area automotive stamping operations. Ohio and Illinois maintain significant clusters serving automotive and appliance markets. According to BLS employment data[6], metalworking employment concentrates in the industrial Midwest where decades of automotive manufacturing built deep tooling supply chains.
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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