NAICS 333515 Quarterly Industry Report
Cutting Tool and Machine Tool Accessory Manufacturing
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 333515Sector: 33Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This Fair Market Value industry report covers NAICS 333515 (Cutting Tool and Machine Tool Accessory 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 consumable tooling and accessories for metalworking machine tools.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the cutting tool and machine tool accessory manufacturing industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Cutting Tool and Machine Tool Accessory Manufacturing (NAICS 333515) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing accessories and attachments for metal cutting and metal forming machine tools. Products include metalworking drill bits, taps, threading dies, reamers, end mills, milling cutters, broaches, and machine tool attachments such as tool holders, collets, and arbors. Per the Census Bureau[5], this classification covers consumable and semi-consumable tooling that machine tools require for cutting, drilling, threading, and forming metal workpieces.
Manufacturing processes vary by product type and material composition. High-speed steel tools require precision grinding, heat treating, and surface finishing. Carbide cutting tools involve powder metallurgy processes including pressing, sintering, and diamond grinding to achieve required geometries. Ceramic and cermet inserts demand specialized processing at high temperatures. Coating technologies apply titanium nitride, aluminum oxide, and diamond-like carbon layers to extend tool life. Workforce requirements include metallurgists, grinding machine operators, tool designers, and quality inspectors who verify dimensional accuracy and cutting performance.
Geographic distribution follows metalworking manufacturing activity, with facilities concentrating in the industrial Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast regions. According to BLS data[6], manufacturing employment distributes across states with established machining and metalworking infrastructure. Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Illinois host notable concentrations of cutting tool producers positioned near automotive, aerospace, and general manufacturing customers who consume tooling in daily production operations.
What's Included in This Industry
- Metalworking drill bits (HSS, cobalt, carbide)
- Taps and threading dies for metalworking
- End mills and milling cutters
- Reamers and boring tools
- Broaches for internal and external machining
- Indexable carbide inserts and toolholders
- Machine tool collets, arbors, and chucks
- Measuring attachments and sine bars for machine tools
- Tool grinding and resharpening services
- Custom cutting tool design and manufacturing
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Subsector | Machinery Manufacturing | 333 |
| Industry Group | Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing | 3335 |
| NAICS Industry | Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing | 33351 |
| National Industry | Cutting Tool and Machine Tool Accessory Manufacturing | 333515 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 333511 | Industrial Mold Manufacturing | Manufactures industrial molds sharing precision machining capabilities, tool steel expertise, and metalworking engineering knowledge with cutting tool producers but creating forming tools rather than consumable cutting products |
| 333514 | Special Die and Tool, Die Set, Jig, and Fixture Manufacturing | Produces special dies, jigs, and fixtures sharing tool and die making skills, CNC machining equipment, and metallurgical expertise with cutting tool manufacturers within the metalworking machinery group |
| 333517 | Machine Tool Manufacturing | Manufactures metal cutting and forming machine tools representing the primary equipment platforms that consume cutting tools and accessories produced under NAICS 333515 |
| 333519 | Rolling Mill and Other Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing | Produces rolling mills and other metalworking machinery sharing precision engineering capabilities and metal forming expertise with cutting tool manufacturers in the same industry group |
| 332216 | Saw Blade and Handtool Manufacturing | Manufactures saw blades and hand-operated cutting tools sharing blade materials expertise, heat treatment knowledge, and tool geometry design with machine tool accessory producers |
| 332812 | Metal Coating, Engraving (except Jewelry and Silverware), and Allied Services to Manufacturers | Provides metal coating, engraving, and allied services including tool coating applications that apply wear-resistant surfaces to cutting tools, extending service life in metalworking operations |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michigan | 17.0% | 185 |
| 2 | California | 10.8% | 117 |
| 3 | Ohio | 8.9% | 97 |
| 4 | Illinois | 7.1% | 77 |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 5.5% | 60 |
| 6 | Wisconsin | 4.1% | 45 |
| 7 | Texas | 4.1% | 45 |
| 8 | Indiana | 3.7% | 40 |
| 9 | New York | 3.7% | 40 |
| 10 | Connecticut | 3.1% | 34 |
% Of Establishments
0%
17%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
72
Total SBA Loans
$12.0M
Total Loan Volume
$167K
Average Loan Size
9 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.39%
Average Interest Rate
368
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 333515 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 cutting tool or machine tool accessory 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 | Northeast Bank | 16 | $4.8M | $300K |
| 2 | BayFirst National Bank | 16 | $2.0M | $125K |
| 3 | Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company | 8 | $1.8M | $225K |
| 4 | Five Star Bank | 8 | $1.6M | $200K |
| 5 | Zions Bank, A Division of | 8 | $1.2M | $150K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses are classified under NAICS 333515?
NAICS 333515 classifies establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing cutting tools and accessories for metalworking machine tools. Products include drill bits, taps, dies, reamers, end mills, carbide inserts, tool holders, and collets. The Census Bureau[5] distinguishes this from hand-operated cutting tools (NAICS 332216) and machine tools themselves (NAICS 333517).
How is the cutting tool manufacturing industry structured?
A small number of large multinational companies dominate standard cutting tool markets through extensive product catalogs and global distribution networks. Mid-size firms specialize in specific tool categories such as carbide inserts, threading tools, or aerospace-grade cutters. Smaller manufacturers produce custom tools, resharpening services, and specialty items for niche machining applications requiring non-standard geometries.
What is the SBA size standard for cutting tool manufacturers?
The SBA sets the size standard at 500 employees for NAICS 333515. 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 cutting tool manufacturing?
NAICS 333511 covers industrial molds sharing precision machining skills. NAICS 333514 covers dies and fixtures sharing metalworking expertise. Smaller 333517 covers machine tools consuming cutting products. These adjacent codes reflect shared materials knowledge, precision manufacturing capabilities, and metalworking industry customer relationships.
What industries depend on cutting tool manufacturers?
Automotive manufacturers consume large volumes of cutting tools for engine machining, transmission production, and component fabrication. Aerospace companies purchase specialty tools for titanium and nickel alloy machining. Per BLS data[6], metalworking manufacturing employment spans industries that depend daily on cutting tools from NAICS 333515 producers.
What activities does NAICS 333515 include?
Covered products include drill bits, taps, threading dies, reamers, end mills, milling cutters, broaches, carbide inserts, tool holders, collets, and arbors. Manufacturing activities span precision grinding, powder metallurgy, heat treating, tool coating, and dimensional inspection. Excluded items include saw blades (NAICS 332216), industrial molds (NAICS 333511), and complete machine tools (NAICS 333517).
Are cutting tool 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 grinding equipment, sintering furnaces, and working capital.
Where is cutting tool manufacturing concentrated in the United States?
Ohio hosts the largest concentration of cutting tool manufacturers, with additional clusters in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Illinois near major metalworking customer markets. According to BLS employment data[6], metalworking machinery manufacturing employment concentrates in the industrial Midwest where established supply chains support precision tooling production and distribution.
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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