NAICS 333511

Overview

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is the federal standard for classifying business establishments to produce statistical data about the U.S. economy. It was developed under the Office of Management and Budget with Canada and Mexico and replaced the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system in 1997. ¹

NAICS is reviewed and updated on a five-year cycle; the current vintage is 2022. Federal agencies phase in each update according to the official implementation timeline. ²

NAICS 333511 covers establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing industrial molds used to cast metals or to form materials such as plastics, glass, rubber, or plaster. It sits within the Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing subsector and distinguishes mold manufacturers from related tool, die, and machine tool industries for statistical and contracting purposes. ³

See also on G2X:

• G2X — NAICS 333514
• G2X — NAICS 331511

What this NAICS covers

• Industrial molds for casting metals, including foundry and die‑casting molds. ³
• Metal molds for plastics‑forming machinery. ³
• Metal molds for rubber‑working machinery. ³
• Metal molds for glass‑forming machinery. ³
• Metal molds for plaster‑working machinery. ³
• Manufacturing of industrial molds used to form nonmetal materials (e.g., plastics, glass, rubber). ³

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Type	Code	Descriptor
NAICS	333514	Special die and tool, die set, jig, and fixture manufacturing (molds are classified in 333511).
NAICS	331511	Iron foundries (steel ingot casting molds are classified here, not in 333511).
NAICS	333512	Machine tool (metal cutting types) manufacturing.
NAICS	333513	Machine tool (metal forming types) manufacturing.

Source: Census NAICS cross‑references for the Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing group. ³

Key cross-references and exclusions

• Molds for die‑casting and foundry casting, and metal molds for plaster, rubber, plastics, and glass working machinery belong in 333511; related special dies, jigs, and fixtures without molds are classified in 333514. ⁴
• Casting molds for heavy steel ingots are excluded from 333511 and classified in 331511. ⁵
• Industrial molds are distinct from metal‑cutting and metal‑forming machine tools, which are covered by 333512 and 333513, respectively. ³

Frequently asked questions

• What products fall under 333511?
  Industrial molds used to cast metals or to form plastics, glass, rubber, or plaster, including foundry and die‑casting molds. The scope is the manufacturing of the mold itself, not general machine tools or accessories. ³

• How does 333511 differ from 333514?
  Code 333514 covers special dies, die sets, jigs, and fixtures typically produced by tool‑and‑die shops. When the product is a mold (for casting or forming materials), it is classified in 333511. ⁴

• Are steel ingot molds included in 333511?
  No. Casting molds for heavy steel ingots are classified under 331511 Iron Foundries. ⁵

• Does 333511 cover mold design or repair services?
  Not specified by official sources. ³

• Is 333511 eligible for the SBA Women‑Owned Small Business (WOSB) program?
  Yes. SBA lists NAICS 333511 as an eligible WOSB industry. Program participation depends on meeting SBA requirements. ⁶

Useful resources

• G2X — NAICS 333511 overview
• Census NAICS description for Industrial Mold Manufacturing (2022 page). ³
• Census: Implementation of the 2022 NAICS (review cycle and adoption timeline). ²
• Census: NAICS Codes & Understanding Industry Classification Systems (2022 guidance). ⁷

References

1. U.S. Census Bureau — 2017 NAICS Manual. https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2017/econ/2017-naics-manual.html
2. U.S. Census Bureau — Implementation of the 2022 NAICS. https://www.census.gov/library/reference/code-lists/naics/2022/implementation-timeline.html
3. U.S. Census Bureau — NAICS 333511: Industrial Mold Manufacturing (2022). https://www.census.gov/naics/?input=333511&year=2022&details=333511
4. U.S. Census Bureau — NAICS 333514: Special Die and Tool, Die Set, Jig, and Fixture Manufacturing (2022). https://www.census.gov/naics/?input=333514&year=2022&details=333514
5. U.S. Census Bureau — NAICS 331511: Iron Foundries (2022). https://www.census.gov/naics/?input=331511&year=2022&details=331511
6. U.S. Small Business Administration — Eligible NAICS for the Women‑Owned Small Business Federal Contracting Program. https://www.sba.gov/document/support-eligible-naics-women-owned-small-business-federal-contracting-program
7. U.S. Census Bureau — Economic Census 2022: NAICS Codes & Understanding Industry Classification Systems. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/economic-census/year/2022/technical-documentation/code-lists/understanding-naics-redirect.html