Spring Manufacturing
Description
Establishments in the spring manufacturing sector specialize in producing various types of springs, including compression, torsion, extension, and leaf springs. These facilities typically purchase raw materials such as wire, strip, or rod from other industries and process them into finished spring products. The manufacturing process involves shaping, coiling, heat treating, and quality control to ensure durability and performance. Operators in this field often possess specialized machinery designed for precision forming and can operate on an individual contractor or multi-plant basis. The scale of operations varies widely, ranging from small shops producing limited quantities for specific industrial or consumer applications to larger manufacturers supplying high-volume markets for vehicles, machinery, or appliances. Many facilities focus on custom engineering where they design springs to meet exact specifications for unique customer projects, while others maintain standardized product lines. The industry serves as a critical component in broader machinery and vehicle sectors, providing essential mechanical components that ensure movement, tension, and structural integrity. Employment within these establishments often requires technical expertise in metalworking and engineering principles. The geographic footprint includes regions with strong industrial bases, though specific locations depend on access to raw materials and logistical networks. Overall, this sector drives innovation in mechanical design and contributes significantly to the supply chain of diverse industries across the nation.
Hierarchy
| Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 33 | Manufacturing 2-digit sector | The Sector as a Whole The Manufacturing sector comprises establishments engaged in the mechanical, physical, or chemical transformation of materials, substances, or components into new products. The assembling of component parts of manufactured products is considered manufacturing, except in cases where the activity is appropriately classified in Sector 23, Construction. Establishments in the Manufacturing sector are often described as plants, factories, or mills and characteristically use power-driven machines and material handling equipment. However, establishments that transform materials or substances into new products by hand or in the worker's home and those engaged in selling to the general public products made on the same premises from which they are sold, such as bakeries, candy stores, and custom tailors, may also be included in this sector. Manufacturing establishments may process materials or may contract with other establishments to process their materials for them. Both types of establishments are included in manufacturing. Selected industries in the Manufacturing sector are comprised solely of establishments that process materials for other establishments on a contract or fee basis. Beyond these dedicated contract manufacturing industries, establishments that process materials for other establishments are generally classified in the Manufacturing industry of the processed materials. The materials, substances, or components transformed by manufacturing establishments are raw materials that are products of agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining, or quarrying as well as products of other manufacturing establishments. The materials used may be purchased directly from producers, obtained through customary trade channels, or secured without recourse to the market by transferring the product from one establishment to another, under the same ownership. The new product of a manufacturing establishment may be finished in the sense that it is ready for utilization or consumption, or it may be semi-finished to become an input for an establishment engaged in further manufacturing. For example, the product of the alumina refinery is the input used in the primary production of aluminum; primary aluminum is the input to an aluminum wire drawing plant; and aluminum wire is the input for a fabricated wire product manufacturing establishment. The subsectors in the Manufacturing sector generally reflect distinct production processes related to material inputs, production equipment, and employee skills. In the machinery area, where assembling is a key activity, parts and accessories for manufactured products are classified in the industry of the finished manufactured item when they are made for separate sale. For example, an attachment for a piece of metalworking machinery would be classified with metalworking machinery. However, component inputs from other manufacturing establishments are classified based on the production function of the component manufacturer. For example, electronic components are classified in Subsector 334, Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing, and stampings are classified in Subsector 332, Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing. Manufacturing establishments often perform one or more activities that are classified outside the Manufacturing sector of NAICS. For instance, almost all manufacturing has some captive research and development or administrative operations, such as accounting, payroll, or management. These captive services are treated the same as captive manufacturing activities. When the services are provided by separate establishments, they are classified in the NAICS sector where such services are primary, not in manufacturing. The boundaries of manufacturing and the other sectors of the classification system can be somewhat blurry. The establishments in the Manufacturing sector are engaged in the transformation of materials into new products. Their output is a new product. However, the definition of what constitutes a new product can be somewhat subjective. As clarification, the following activities are considered manufacturing in NAICS: <table width=100%><tr><td width=10%> </td><td><dl><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Milk bottling and pasteurizing;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Water bottling and processing;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Fresh fish packaging (oyster<br/> shucking, fish filleting);</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Apparel jobbing (assigning<br/> materials to contract<br/> factories or shops for<br/> fabrication or other contract<br/> operations) as well as<br/> contracting on materials<br/> owned by others;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Printing and related activities;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Ready-mix concrete production;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Leather converting;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Grinding lenses to<br/> prescription;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Wood preserving;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Lapidary work for the trade;</dt></dl></td><td width=10%> </td><td><dl><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Electroplating, plating, metal<br/> heat treating, and<br/> polishing for the trade;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Fabricating signs and<br/> advertising displays;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Rebuilding or remanufacturing<br/> machinery (i.e., automotive<br/> parts);</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Making manufactured homes<br/> (i.e., mobile homes) or<br/> prefabricated buildings,<br/> whether or not assembling/<br/> erecting at the customers'<br/> site;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Ship repair and renovation;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Machine shops; and</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Tire retreading.</dt></dl></td><td width=10%> </td></tr></table> Conversely, there are activities that are sometimes considered manufacturing, but which for NAICS are classified in another sector (i.e., not classified as manufacturing). They include: 1. Logging, classified in Sector 11, Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting, is considered a harvesting operation; 2. Beneficiating ores and other minerals, classified in Sector 21, Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction, is considered part of the activity of mining; 3. Constructing structures, assembling prefabricated buildings, and fabricating at the construction site by contractors are classified in Sector 23, Construction; 4. Breaking bulk and reselling in smaller lots, including packaging, repackaging, or bottling products, such as liquors or chemicals; assembling and selling computers on a custom basis; sorting and reselling scrap; mixing and selling paints to customer order; and cutting metals to customer order for resale are classified in Sector 42, Wholesale Trade, or Sector 44-45, Retail Trade; and 5. Publishing and the combined activity of publishing and printing, classified in Sector 51, Information, transform information into a product for which the value to the consumer lies in the information content, not in the format in which it is distributed (i.e., the book or software compact disc). |
| 332 | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing 3-digit subsector | Industries in the Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing subsector transform metal into intermediate or end products, other than machinery, computers and electronics, and metal furniture, or treat metals and metal formed products fabricated elsewhere. Important fabricated metal processes are forging, stamping, bending, forming, and machining, used to shape individual pieces of metal; and other processes, such as welding and assembling, used to join separate parts together. Establishments in this subsector may use one of these processes or a combination of these processes. The NAICS structure for this subsector distinguishes the forging and stamping processes in a single industry. The remaining industries in the subsector group establishments based on similar combinations of processes used to make products. The manufacturing performed in the Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing subsector begins with manufactured metal shapes. The establishments in this subsector further fabricate the purchased metal shapes into a product. For instance, the Spring and Wire Product Manufacturing industry starts with wire and fabricates such items. Within the Manufacturing sector there are other establishments that make the same products made by this subsector; only these establishments begin production further back in the production process. These establishments have a more integrated operation. For instance, one establishment may manufacture steel, draw it into wire, and make wire products in the same establishment. Such operations are classified in the Primary Metal Manufacturing subsector. |
| 3326 | Spring and Wire Product Manufacturing 4-digit industry group | Industries in the Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing subsector transform metal into intermediate or end products, other than machinery, computers and electronics, and metal furniture, or treat metals and metal formed products fabricated elsewhere. Important fabricated metal processes are forging, stamping, bending, forming, and machining, used to shape individual pieces of metal; and other processes, such as welding and assembling, used to join separate parts together. Establishments in this subsector may use one of these processes or a combination of these processes. The NAICS structure for this subsector distinguishes the forging and stamping processes in a single industry. The remaining industries in the subsector group establishments based on similar combinations of processes used to make products. The manufacturing performed in the Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing subsector begins with manufactured metal shapes. The establishments in this subsector further fabricate the purchased metal shapes into a product. For instance, the Spring and Wire Product Manufacturing industry starts with wire and fabricates such items. Within the Manufacturing sector there are other establishments that make the same products made by this subsector; only these establishments begin production further back in the production process. These establishments have a more integrated operation. For instance, one establishment may manufacture steel, draw it into wire, and make wire products in the same establishment. Such operations are classified in the Primary Metal Manufacturing subsector. |
| 33261 | Spring and Wire Product Manufacturing 5-digit NAICS industry | This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in (1) manufacturing steel springs by forming, such as cutting, bending, and heat winding, metal rod or strip stock and/or (2) manufacturing wire springs and fabricated wire products from wire drawn elsewhere (except watch and clock springs). |
| 332613 | Spring Manufacturing 6-digit U.S. detail | Establishments in the spring manufacturing sector specialize in producing various types of springs, including compression, torsion, extension, and leaf springs. These facilities typically purchase raw materials such as wire, strip, or rod from other industries and process them into finished spring products. The manufacturing process involves shaping, coiling, heat treating, and quality control to ensure durability and performance. Operators in this field often possess specialized machinery designed for precision forming and can operate on an individual contractor or multi-plant basis. The scale of operations varies widely, ranging from small shops producing limited quantities for specific industrial or consumer applications to larger manufacturers supplying high-volume markets for vehicles, machinery, or appliances. Many facilities focus on custom engineering where they design springs to meet exact specifications for unique customer projects, while others maintain standardized product lines. The industry serves as a critical component in broader machinery and vehicle sectors, providing essential mechanical components that ensure movement, tension, and structural integrity. Employment within these establishments often requires technical expertise in metalworking and engineering principles. The geographic footprint includes regions with strong industrial bases, though specific locations depend on access to raw materials and logistical networks. Overall, this sector drives innovation in mechanical design and contributes significantly to the supply chain of diverse industries across the nation. |
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Classification References
- 01Manufacturing watch and clock springs--are classified in U.S. Industry 334519, Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing; and
- 02Producing wire, strip, or rod and further fabricating springs--are classified in Subsector 331, Primary Metal Manufacturing.
Index Items
Automobile suspension springs, heavy gauge metal, manufacturing
Coiled springs (except clock, watch), light gauge, made from purchased wire or strip, manufacturing
Coiled springs, heavy gauge metal, manufacturing
Disk and ring springs, heavy gauge metal, manufacturing
Flat springs (except clock, watch), light gauge, made from purchased wire or strip, manufacturing
Flat springs, heavy gauge metal, manufacturing
Furniture springs, light gauge, unassembled, made from purchased wire or strip
Gun springs, light gauge, made from purchased wire or strip, manufacturing
Hairsprings (except clock, watch), light gauge, made from purchased wire or strip, manufacturing
Helical springs, hot wound heavy gauge metal, manufacturing
Helical springs, light gauge, made from purchased wire or strip, manufacturing
Instrument springs, precision (except clock, watch), light gauge, made from purchased wire or strip, manufacturing
Leaf springs, heavy gauge metal, manufacturing
Mattress springs and spring units, light gauge, made from purchased wire or strip
Sash balance springs, light gauge, made from purchased wire or strip
Springs and spring units for seats, light gauge, made from purchased wire or strip
Springs, heavy gauge metal, manufacturing
Springs, light gauge (except clock, watch), made from purchased wire or strip
Springs, precision (except clock, watch), light gauge, made from purchased wire or strip
Torsion bar, heavy gauge metal, manufacturing
Upholstery springs and spring units, light gauge, made from purchased wire or strip
How Item Can Help
Spring Manufacturing WMS optimizes high-volume order fulfillment by tracking raw metal stock and finished spring coils, reducing picking errors in crowded warehouses. It enables real-time inventory visibility to prevent stockouts during peak production schedules.
Spring Manufacturing OMS automates order routing to balance processing loads across multiple facilities based on inventory levels and delivery urgency. This ensures timely shipment of spring components and prevents bottlenecks in the distribution network.
Spring Manufacturing Data Intelligence analyzes production metrics to predict machine downtime and forecast raw material demand for spring coiling and heat treatment. These insights allow planners to adjust manufacturing schedules proactively, minimizing waste and maximizing output efficiency.
Item.com Tools
External Resources
Census.gov NAICS Detail
Official US Census Bureau definition and scope for NAICS 332613.
National Association of Spring Manufacturers
The primary trade association for the spring industry that provides resources, advocacy, and member benefits to manufacturers.
U.S. Census Bureau - NAICS 332613
The official government page providing detailed industry statistics, economic data, and definitions for Spring Manufacturing.
Manufacturing.com Spring Industry Directory
An industry directory offering listings, news, and supplier information specifically for spring manufacturers and related metalworking processes.
