NAICS 332991

Overview

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) organizes establishments by similar production processes to support consistent statistical collection and analysis across the U.S. economy. Established in 1997 to replace SIC, NAICS is maintained by the Office of Management and Budget and jointly developed with Canada and Mexico. The current 2022 vintage is being implemented across Census economic programs on a rolling timeline through 2027. ¹

NAICS 332991 covers establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing ball and roller bearings of any material. Census cross-references clarify that “plain” bearings (bushings) are not included here; they are classified in 333613. ²

What this NAICS covers

• Manufacture of ball bearings. ²
• Manufacture of roller bearings. ²
• Bearing production regardless of material (e.g., metallic or nonmetallic); NAICS explicitly states “of all materials.” ²
• Bearing manufacturing activities performed by the establishment necessary to produce ball or roller bearings. ²
• Excludes plain bearings (bushings), which fall under 333613. ²

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Type	Code	Descriptor
NAICS	333613	Mechanical Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing (plain bearings are classified here). 2
NAICS	333612	Speed Changer, Industrial High-Speed Drive, and Gear Manufacturing (related power-transmission equipment; bearings remain in 332991). 2
PSC	3110	Bearings, Antifriction, Unmounted. 3
PSC	3130	Bearings, Mounted. 3

Cross-references and scope notes

• Census defines 332991 as “manufacturing ball and roller bearings of all materials.” Plain bearings are classified in 333613. ²
• “All Other Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing” 332999 explicitly excludes ball and roller bearings; such establishments should be in 332991. ²
• Related machinery subsectors (e.g., 333612) reference bearings but classify non-bearing components elsewhere; ball and roller bearings themselves stay in 332991. ²

Defense acquisition considerations

• DFARS 225.7009-2 restricts acquisition of ball and roller bearings to items manufactured in the United States or Canada and requires that more than 50 percent of the bearing components’ cost be U.S./Canadian. ⁴
• Specialty metals rules may also apply when bearing steel qualifies as a specialty metal; see DFARS 225.7003-2 for applicable restrictions. ⁵

Frequently asked questions

• What does 332991 include?
  Establishments that manufacture ball and roller bearings of any material composition. NAICS distinguishes these from “plain” (non-rolling-element) bearings, which are classified in 333613. ²

• How is 332991 different from plain bearing manufacturing?
  Plain bearings (bushings without rolling elements) are not in 332991; they are classified under 333613 per Census cross-references. ²

• Which PSCs often align with federal buys under 332991?
  Common product PSCs include 3110 (Bearings, Antifriction, Unmounted) and 3130 (Bearings, Mounted). Selection depends on the predominant item in the purchase action and the mounting configuration. ³

• Are there special sourcing rules for DoD bearing purchases?
  Yes. DFARS 225.7009-2 requires ball and roller bearings to be manufactured in the U.S. or Canada, with at least 50 percent of component cost from the U.S. or Canada. Specialty metals restrictions may also apply depending on materials. ⁴

• Did the 2022 NAICS update change 332991?
  Census describes 2022 NAICS as a vintage with broad updates and a staged implementation through 2027, but does not specify an industry-level change for 332991 on the overview page. Not specified by official sources. ¹

Useful resources

• Census: Implementation of 2022 NAICS and adoption timeline. ¹
• Census: Industry definition for Ball and Roller Bearing Manufacturing 332991. ²
• DFARS 225.7009-2: Restriction on ball and roller bearings. ⁴

References

1. U.S. Census Bureau — The Census Bureau’s Implementation of the 2022 NAICS: https://www.census.gov/library/reference/code-lists/naics/2022/implementation-timeline.html
2. U.S. Census Bureau — NAICS 2022 Search: 332991 Ball and Roller Bearing Manufacturing: https://www.census.gov/naics/?input=332991&year=2022&details=332991
3. U.S. General Services Administration — Product and Service Codes (PSC) Manual: https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual
4. Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement — 225.7009-2 Restriction on ball and roller bearings: https://www.acquisition.gov/dfars/225.7009-2-restriction
5. Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement — 225.7003-2 Restrictions (specialty metals): https://www.acquisition.gov/dfars/225.7003-2-restrictions