SIC 3441 Fabricated Structural Metal

Contenidos

• NAICS CODE(S).
• INDUSTRY SNAPSHOT.
• BACKGROUND AND DEVELOPMENT.
• CURRENT CONDITIONS.
• INDUSTRY LEADERS.
• WORKFORCE.
• RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY.
• FURTHER READING.

SIC 3441

This classification includes establishments primarily engaged in fabricating iron and steel or other metal for structural purposes, such as bridges, buildings, and sections for ships, boats, and barges. Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing metal doors, sash, frames, molding, and trim are classified in SIC 3442: Metal Doors, Sash, Frames, Molding, and Trim; and establishments doing fabrication work at the site of construction are classified in the Construction industries.

NAICS CODE(S)

332312

Fabricated Structural Metal Manufacturing

INDUSTRY SNAPSHOT

The fabricated structural metal industry was strong in the mid-2000s. Combined industry shipment values for this industry and the plate work industry exceeded $27 billion in 2003. Since a primary market for fabricated structural metals is the building and construction industry, metal fabricators benefited from the American construction boom going into the middle of the decade. With nearly $200 billion of capital spending projected nationwide in 2004, the industry was looking at a promising future.

The industry's products were divided into five categories by the U.S. Census Bureau. The largest sector—fabricated structural metal bar joist and concrete reinforcing bars—accounted for the vast majority of industry shipments. The other categories—structural metal for bridges; fabricated structural iron for ships, boats, and barges; other fabricated structural metal products; and fabricated structural metal, not specified by kind—together accounted for the remainder. Most companies in the industry were located in California, Texas, and Ohio.

BACKGROUND AND DEVELOPMENT

At first, metals were hammered into shape. Then, when it was found that fire could alter the structure of the ores, furnaces were built to cast metals into useful shapes. The use of ferrous metals, however, did not begin until 7,000 years after copper and bronze were first smelted. Once technology advanced and iron smelting began, iron rapidly replaced copper for tools and weapons. By 100 B.C. the use of iron as a semi-structural material was recognized.

By the 1990s the kiln, hammer, and anvil had been replaced with blast furnaces and multi-ton presses. Structural shapes were continuously cast and forged, later to be cut to...