331511 - Iron Foundries
Iron foundries play a vital role in manufacturing industries, providing essential iron castings that support machinery, automotive parts, and construction. If you're researching or involved in this manufacturing niche, understanding NAICS Code 331511—Iron Foundries—is crucial. This blog post dives deep into what this code entails, the sector it represents, business examples, size standards, and more.
What is NAICS Code 331511?
NAICS Code 331511 represents establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing iron castings by melting and casting iron. These iron foundries produce a wide array of iron products, including brake shoes, railroad car wheels, pipe fittings, and cooking utensils. The iron castings serve critical functions across multiple industries such as automotive, infrastructure, and heavy machinery.
Sector and Typical Business Activities
- Sector: Manufacturing
- Primary Activities:
- Melting and casting various types of iron, including ductile, gray, malleable, semisteel, and compacted graphite iron.
- Producing finished and unfinished iron castings for industrial, automotive, and construction applications.
- Manufacturing specialty cast iron products like manhole covers, sewer pipes, soil pipes, and rolling mill rolls.
Typical businesses under this NAICS include:
- Gray iron foundries
- Ductile iron foundries
- Iron casting manufacturers
Size Standards for NAICS 331511
To qualify under NAICS Code 331511 for small business purposes, establishments typically must have 1,000 or fewer employees. This size standard helps determine eligibility for government contracts, loans, and other programs aimed at supporting smaller manufacturing enterprises.
Code Details: Products and Activities Covered
The following table outlines the specific products and manufacturing processes encompassed by NAICS Code 331511:
| Product / Activity | Description |
|---|---|
| Cast iron brake shoes, railroad, manufacturing | Brake components for railroads |
| Cast iron pipe and pipe fittings manufacturing | Pipes and fittings for plumbing and industry |
| Cast iron railroad car wheels manufacturing | Production of iron wheels for railroad cars |
| Castings, compacted graphite iron, unfinished, manufacturing | Unfinished castings of compacted graphite iron |
| Castings, malleable iron, unfinished, manufacturing | Unfinished malleable iron castings |
| Castings, unfinished iron (ductile, gray, malleable, semisteel) | Various unfinished iron castings |
| Cooking utensils, cast iron, manufacturing | Cookware made from cast iron |
| Ductile iron castings, unfinished, manufacturing | Unfinished castings made from ductile iron |
| Ductile iron foundries | Foundries specializing in ductile iron castings |
| Fittings, soil and pressure pipe, cast iron, manufacturing | Specialized pipe fittings for soil and pressure systems |
| Foundries, iron (ductile, gray, malleable, semisteel) | Foundry services for multiple iron types |
| Gray iron foundries | Foundries focused on gray iron casting |
| Industrial molds, steel ingot, manufacturing | Molds used for casting steel ingots |
| Iron castings, unfinished, manufacturing | Manufacturing of unfinished iron castings |
| Iron foundries | General iron casting foundries |
| Malleable iron foundries | Foundries producing malleable iron castings |
| Manhole covers, cast iron, manufacturing | Production of cast iron manhole covers |
| Molds for casting steel ingots manufacturing | Manufacturing molds for steel ingot casting |
| Pearlitic castings, malleable iron, unfinished, manufacturing | Unfinished pearlitic malleable iron castings |
| Pipe and pipe fittings, cast iron, manufacturing | Cast iron pipes and pipe fittings |
| Pipe couplings, cast iron, manufacturing | Couplings made from cast iron |
| Rolling mill rolls, iron, manufacturing | Iron rolls for rolling mills |
| Semisteel foundries | Foundries specializing in semisteel castings |
| Sewer pipe, cast iron, manufacturing | Cast iron sewer pipe production |
| Soil pipe, cast iron, manufacturing | Cast iron pipes for soil drainage |
| Water pipe, cast iron, manufacturing | Manufacturing of cast iron water pipes |
Examples of Businesses Under NAICS Code 331511
- Gray Iron Foundries: Focused on producing gray iron castings used in automotive and industrial applications.
- Ductile Iron Foundries: Specialize in producing ductile iron components that require high strength and durability.
- Iron Casting Manufacturers: Businesses offering a broad range of cast iron parts for construction, transportation, and other sectors.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What industries commonly use products from NAICS 331511?
A1: The automotive, construction, railroad, plumbing, and machinery industries heavily rely on iron castings produced by iron foundries.
Q2: What types of iron castings are covered under this NAICS code?
A2: Ductile iron, gray iron, malleable iron, semisteel, and compacted graphite iron castings.
Q3: How can knowing the NAICS code 331511 benefit my business?
A3: It helps in identifying your industry classification for government procurement, applying for small business support programs, and improving marketing strategies.
Q4: What is the employee size standard for a small business under this NAICS code?
A4: 1,000 or fewer employees.
Q5: Are cooking utensils included in NAICS 331511?
A5: Yes, cast iron cooking utensils manufacturing falls under this code.
Conclusion
NAICS Code 331511 - Iron Foundries covers a critical segment of the manufacturing sector dedicated to producing diverse iron castings essential across many industries. Understanding this classification can help businesses streamline compliance, enhance marketing, and seize contracting opportunities.
For manufacturers in the iron casting space, leveraging this knowledge is key to growing and thriving in a competitive market.
Keywords: NAICS 331511, iron foundries, iron castings, ductile iron castings, gray iron foundries, manufacturing sector, iron pipe fittings, iron casting manufacturers
