Saw Blade and Handtool Manufacturing
Description
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in (1) manufacturing saw blades, all types (including those for power sawing machines) and/or (2) manufacturing nonpowered handtools and edge tools.
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. |
| 3322 | Cutlery and Handtool 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. |
| 33221 | Cutlery and Handtool Manufacturing 5-digit NAICS industry | This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in one or more of the following: (1) manufacturing metal kitchen cookware (except by casting (e.g., cast iron skillets) or stamped without further fabrication), utensils, and/or nonprecious and precious plated metal cutlery and flatware; (2) manufacturing saw blades, all types (including those for power sawing machines); and (3) manufacturing nonpowered handtools and edge tools. |
| 332216 | Saw Blade and Handtool Manufacturing 6-digit U.S. detail | This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in (1) manufacturing saw blades, all types (including those for power sawing machines) and/or (2) manufacturing nonpowered handtools and edge tools. |
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Classification References
- 01Manufacturing metal cutting dies, attachments, and accessories for machine tools--are classified in Industry 33351, Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing;
- 02Manufacturing power-driven handtools--are classified in U.S. Industry 333991, Power-Driven Handtool Manufacturing;
- 03Manufacturing electric razors and hair clippers for use on humans--are classified in Industry 335210, Small Electrical Appliance Manufacturing;
- 04Manufacturing electric hair clippers for use on animals--are classified in U.S. Industry 333111, Farm Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing; and
- 05Manufacturing nonelectric household-type scissors and shears--are classified in U.S. Industry 332215, Metal Kitchen Cookware, Utensil, Cutlery, and Flatware (except Precious) Manufacturing.
Index Items
Agricultural handtools (e.g., hay forks, hoes, rakes, spades), nonpowered, manufacturing
Augers, nonpowered, manufacturing
Awls manufacturing
Axes manufacturing
Bearing pullers, handtools, manufacturing
Bits, edge tool, woodworking, manufacturing
Blades, saw, all types, manufacturing
Blow torches manufacturing
Calipers and dividers, machinists' precision tools, manufacturing
Can openers (except electric) manufacturing
Carpenter's handtools, nonelectric, manufacturing
Caulking guns, nonpowered, manufacturing
C-clamps manufacturing
Chain saw blades manufacturing
Chisels manufacturing
Clippers for animal use, nonelectric, manufacturing
Coordinate and contour measuring machines, machinists' precision tools, manufacturing
Counterbores and countersinking bits, woodworking, manufacturing
Cutters, glass, manufacturing
Cutting dies (e.g., paper, leather, textile) manufacturing
Cutting dies (except metal cutting) manufacturing
Dial indicators, machinists' precision tools, manufacturing
Dies, cutting (except metal cutting), manufacturing
Dies, steel rule (except metal cutting), manufacturing
Dividers, machinists' precision tools, manufacturing
Drawknives manufacturing
Drill bits, woodworking, manufacturing
Drills, handheld, nonelectric, manufacturing
Edge tools, woodworking (e.g., augers, bits, countersinks), manufacturing
Engraver's handtools, nonpowered, manufacturing
Files, handheld, manufacturing
Fish wire (i.e., electrical wiring tool) manufacturing
Forks, handtools (e.g., garden, hay, manure), manufacturing
Gauge blocks, machinists' precision tools, manufacturing
Gauges, machinists' precision tools (except optical), manufacturing
Gear pullers, handtools, manufacturing
Gouges, woodworking, manufacturing
Grass mowing equipment, nonpowered lawn and garden, manufacturing
Guns, caulking, nonpowered, manufacturing
Hair clippers for animal use, nonelectric, manufacturing
Hammers, handtools, manufacturing
Handheld edge tools (except scissors-type), nonelectric, manufacturing
Handtool metal blades (e.g., putty knives, scrapers, screwdrivers) manufacturing
Handtools, machinists' precision, manufacturing
Handtools, motor vehicle mechanics', manufacturing
Hatchets manufacturing
Hedge shears and trimmers, nonelectric, manufacturing
Hoes, garden and mason's handtools, manufacturing
Hooks, handtools (e.g., baling, bush, grass, husking), manufacturing
Jacks (except hydraulic, pneumatic) manufacturing
Jeweler's handtools, nonelectric, manufacturing
Knives and bits for woodworking lathes, planers, and shapers manufacturing
Lawn edgers, nonpowered, manufacturing
Lawnmowers, nonpowered, manufacturing
Leaf skimmers and rakes, nonpowered swimming pool, manufacturing
Levels, carpenter's, manufacturing
Machetes manufacturing
Machine knives (except metal cutting) manufacturing
Machinists' precision measuring tools (except optical) manufacturing
Mallets (e.g., rubber, wood) manufacturing
Mason's handtools manufacturing
Mattocks (i.e., handtools) manufacturing
Mauls, metal, manufacturing
Measuring tools, machinist's (except optical), manufacturing
Mechanic's handtools, nonpowered, manufacturing
Metal cutting saw blades manufacturing
Micrometers, machinist's precision tools, manufacturing
Miter boxes manufacturing
Picks (i.e., handtools) manufacturing
Planes, handheld, nonpowered, manufacturing
Pliers, handtools, manufacturing
Plumbers' handtools, nonpowered, manufacturing
Post hole diggers, nonpowered, manufacturing
Precision tools, machinist's (except optical), manufacturing
Pruners manufacturing
Pry (i.e., crow) bars manufacturing
Punches (except paper), nonpowered handtool, manufacturing
Putty knives manufacturing
Rakes, nonpowered handtool, manufacturing
Rasps, handheld, manufacturing
Ratchets, nonpowered, manufacturing
Rulers, metal, manufacturing
Saw blades, all types, manufacturing
Saws, hand, nonpowered, manufacturing
Scoops, metal (except kitchen-type), manufacturing
Screwdrivers, nonelectric, manufacturing
Screwjacks manufacturing
Scythes manufacturing
Shears, nonelectric, tool-type (e.g., garden, pruners, tinsnip), manufacturing
Shovels, handheld, manufacturing
Sickles manufacturing
Sledgehammers manufacturing
Sockets and socket sets manufacturing
Soldering guns and irons, handheld (including electric), manufacturing
Soldering iron tips and tiplets manufacturing
Spades and shovels, handheld, manufacturing
Squares, carpenters', metal, manufacturing
Stone cutting saw blades manufacturing
Stonecutters' handtools, nonpowered, manufacturing
Tape measures, metal, manufacturing
Tinners' snips manufacturing
Tools, hand, metal blade (e.g., putty knives, scrapers, screwdrivers)
Tools, handheld, nonpowered (except kitchen-type), manufacturing
Tools, woodworking edge (e.g., augers, bits, countersinks), manufacturing
Trimmers, hedge, nonelectric, manufacturing
Trowels manufacturing
Vises (except machine tool attachments) manufacturing
Wheel pullers, handtools, manufacturing
Wood cutting saw blades manufacturing
Wrenches, handtools, nonpowered, manufacturing
Yardsticks, metal, manufacturing
How Item Can Help
WMS tracks high-value saw blades precisely while managing frequent small handtool shipments and safety audits.
YMS optimizes yard space for oversized blades and reduces forklift movements during high-volume tool distribution.
Transload enables quick cross-docking of mixed inventory to prevent blade storage damage and speed up handtool orders.
Item.com Tools
External Resources
NAICS Code Definition
Official Census Bureau page defining the Saw Blade and Handtool Manufacturing industry.
NAICS Code Detail
Detailed classification information for NAICS 332216 within the Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing sector.
Saw Blade and Handtool Association
Resources from the industry trade association covering both saw blades and hand tools.
