Key Facts and Trends in the U.S. Fabricated Metals Industry

If there is a backbone to American manufacturing, fabricated metals would be a strong contender. This industry is where raw sheet, bar, and billet are shaped into the components that hold everything together. From beams and brackets to enclosures, housings, tanks, pipes, and fasteners, fabricated metal products form the physical framework of modern industry.

Fabricated metals manufacturers operate at the intersection of precision and scale. Their work supports construction sites, factory floors, energy infrastructure, defense systems, and transportation networks across the country. While the sector often works behind the scenes, its impact is visible everywhere, from warehouses and bridges to aircraft and industrial machinery.

In this article, we explore key facts about the U.S. fabricated metals industry based on exclusive data collected directly from more than 33,000 companies by MNI, compiler and publisher of the industrial data that powers IndustrySelect.

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Key Statistics and Trends in the U.S. Fabricated Metals Industry

Fabricated metals remain one of the largest and most employment-intensive sectors in U.S. manufacturing. According to verified data collected by MNI, compiler and publisher of the industrial data that powers IndustrySelect, the fabricated metals industry includes:

• 33,367 fabricated metal manufacturers nationwide.
• Approximately 1.3 million employees.
• 540 billion dollars in total reported sales.
• 2 percent women-owned companies and 1 percent minority-owned companies.
• 25 percent of manufacturers reporting international distribution.
• 12 percent importing raw materials.
• An average facility size of 58,775 square feet.

Despite ongoing pressures from tariffs, supply chain shifts, reshoring efforts, and rising input costs, the industry continues to demonstrate resilience. Many companies are adapting by diversifying customers, investing in automation, and strengthening domestic supplier relationships.

What Do Fabricated Metals Manufacturers Make?

The fabricated metals sector supports nearly every corner of U.S. manufacturing. Its diversity reflects the wide range of industries it serves, from construction and infrastructure to aerospace, automotive, and defense.

• Fabricated Structural Metal Products account for 47 percent of companies. This largest segment includes manufacturers of structural steel, metal plate work, and prefabricated building components. These companies produce beams, joists, trusses, and other load-bearing elements that are essential to commercial, industrial, and infrastructure projects.
• Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Products represent 20 percent of the industry. This highly diversified category includes manufacturers of metal ladders, signage, tanks, barrels, fasteners, wire products, and countless custom components. These firms often serve multiple downstream industries and specialize in precision-formed parts and assemblies.
• Metal Services make up 13.9 percent of companies. Metal service providers perform heat treating, plating, polishing, coating, and finishing operations. Their work is critical to improving durability, corrosion resistance, and performance, and they frequently operate as part of just-in-time manufacturing supply chains.
• Screw Machine Products account for 6.9 percent of the sector. Companies in this segment focus on precision turning and high-volume production of small metal components. Typical products include bushings, pins, connectors, and fasteners that require tight tolerances and consistent quality.
• Metal Forgings and Stampings represent 4.5 percent of companies. These manufacturers produce forged, stamped, and spun metal components for machinery, vehicles, tools, and aerospace systems. Their operations rely on specialized tooling, durable materials, and repeatable processes.

Additional segments in the fabricated metals industry include cutlery, hand tools, general hardware, and plumbing and heating equipment, excluding electric products.

Regional Distribution of Fabricated Metal Products Companies

Fabricated metal manufacturers operate in every region of the United States, but production is heavily concentrated in two areas. The Midwest and the South together account for approximately 64 percent of all fabricated metals facilities.

This regional concentration reflects deep industrial traditions, strong transportation networks, and close proximity to both upstream materials and downstream manufacturing customers.

Top States for Fabricated Metals Manufacturing by Employment

Employment in fabricated metals is strongest in states with large construction markets, energy activity, and established industrial bases.

• Texas accounts for 8.4 percent of employment. Texas leads the nation with extensive fabrication activity centered in Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio. Manufacturers serve energy, construction, defense, and infrastructure markets with products ranging from tanks and pipe to aerospace fasteners.

• California accounts for 7.1 percent of employment. California’s fabricated metals sector is anchored in aerospace, architectural metals, and high-precision fabrication. Southern California hosts thousands of firms supplying defense and consumer-facing industries.

• Ohio accounts for 6.5 percent of employment. Ohio remains a historic metals powerhouse, with strengths in stamping, forging, fasteners, and heavy industrial components. Cleveland and Columbus anchor much of the state’s employment.

• Illinois accounts for 6.1 percent of employment. Illinois supports a broad range of fabricated metal specialties, including precision machining, industrial enclosures, and fabricated steel components. Activity is concentrated around Chicago and central industrial corridors.

• Michigan accounts for 5.3 percent of employment. Closely tied to automotive manufacturing, Michigan’s metal fabricators produce stamped parts, tubing, brackets, and assemblies that support vehicle production and supplier networks.

• Pennsylvania accounts for 4.7 percent of employment. Pennsylvania continues its long tradition in metalworking, with strong concentrations in fabricated steel, tanks, and OEM components, particularly around Pittsburgh and eastern manufacturing regions.

• Wisconsin accounts for 4.7 percent of employment. Wisconsin manufacturers specialize in metal containers, food-grade tanks, and custom structures, serving industrial and processing markets across the Midwest.

• Florida accounts for 4.5 percent of employment. Florida has emerged as a growing fabricated metals hub, driven by defense, marine, and aerospace suppliers located in and around Miami, Tampa, and Orlando.

• Indiana accounts for 4.0 percent of employment. Indiana supports a robust fabricated metals supply chain tied to agriculture, transportation, and construction, with strong manufacturing centers in Indianapolis and Fort Wayne.

• North Carolina accounts for 3.8 percent of employment. North Carolina’s metal shops produce architectural metals, plumbing fixtures, and heat exchangers that serve both industrial and residential markets throughout the Southeast.

Ownership Structure in the Fabricated Metals Industry

The fabricated metals sector is overwhelmingly privately held. Private corporations represent the largest share of companies, followed by limited liability companies and private Subchapter S corporations. This ownership structure reflects a strong entrepreneurial foundation and a large population of small and mid-sized manufacturers operating independently or within closely held organizations.

Publicly traded companies represent a much smaller share of total firms, while sole proprietorships, partnerships, and government-owned entities make up the remainder.

Market Trends in the U.S. Fabricated Metals Sector

The U.S. labor shortage impacts this industry very strongly. Many fabricators find the skilled craftsmen they require in short supply and expect the situation to worsen. Most of these workers are above 50 and will be retiring. The pandemic accelerated the move toward early retirement. While some fabricators attempt to hire younger workers, the skill and experience to produce quality work are often lacking. It’s taken companies weeks or more to find these younger workers and many months to train them. Even with that effort, the labor force is insufficient.

Some companies have jumped on the automation bandwagon to compensate for the lack of human hands. Others are investing in new technology, such as fiber lasers. If you sell equipment that will increase production without additional workers, you’re ahead of the game.

You may be aware that many companies experience declining profits due to inflation. Inflation is exacerbated by the higher wages required to combat the labor shortage. Supply chain disruptions have also increased costs. Many fabricators have chosen to lose money rather than lose customers. If you can offer solutions that will return them to profitability, you’ll be welcomed with open arms.

The Takeaway

Few industries are as essential to the physical economy as fabricated metals. With tens of thousands of facilities, deep regional specialization, and a strong base of privately owned manufacturers, the sector continues to quietly shape the built environment and industrial supply chains across the United States.

For professionals involved in sourcing, sales, research, or business development, understanding where these manufacturers operate and what they produce is critical to identifying real opportunity.

Finding Prospects in the U.S. Fabricated Metals Industry

Are you looking to build your prospect list with contacts at fabricated metals facilities? In these fast-moving industries, you need the most up-to-date information on company locations, positions and executive emails. An IndustrySelect subscription can provide these and the services you need to ride the wave of these developing markets. To learn more about using IndustrySelect to generate the reliable, high-quality leads you need, set up your free demo account of IndustrySelect, pre-loaded with 500 free leads to get you started!