--- title: "American Metal Manufacturing: Growth, Trends in 2016 and Beyond" description: What's the state of the American metal manufacturing & metal fabrication industry? Here are some stats and projections for this year and beyond. image: https://www.mchoneind.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/DSC_0369-2-1024x459.jpg --- [![mchone industries](https://www.mchoneind.com/hs-fs/hubfs/mchonecolors.png?width=300&name=mchonecolors.png "mchone industries")](https://www.mchoneind.com/) - [Blog](https://www.mchoneind.com/blog/) - [Downloadable Resources](https://blog.mchoneind.com/free-manufacturing-resources) - [Portfolio](https://www.mchoneind.com/portfolio/) - [Careers](https://www.mchoneind.com/careers/) - [Contact Us](https://www.mchoneind.com/contact-us/) - [Services](https://www.mchoneind.com/services/) - [Tube Production](https://www.mchoneind.com/services/tube-production/) - [Tube Bending & Tube Fabrication](https://www.mchoneind.com/services/tube-bending-fabrication/) - [Metal Weldments & Assemblies](https://www.mchoneind.com/services/weldments-and-assemblies/) - [Roll Forming](https://www.mchoneind.com/services/roll-forming/) - [Sheet Metal Fabrication](https://www.mchoneind.com/services/sheet-metal-fabrication/) - [Laser Cutting](https://www.mchoneind.com/services/laser-cutting-sheet-metal/) - [Robotic Welding](https://www.mchoneind.com/services/robotic-welding/) - [Bead Blasting](https://www.mchoneind.com/services/bead-blasting/) - [Powder Coating](https://www.mchoneind.com/services/powder-coating-services/) - [Ring Rolling](https://www.mchoneind.com/services/metal-rolling-service/) - [About](https://www.mchoneind.com/about/) [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mchoneind.com%2Fblog%2Famerican-metal-manufacturing-trends%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mchoneind.com%2Fblog%2Famerican-metal-manufacturing-trends%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mchoneind.com%2Fblog%2Famerican-metal-manufacturing-trends%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mchoneind.com%2Fblog%2Famerican-metal-manufacturing-trends%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=American%20Metal%20Manufacturing%3A%20Growth%2C%20Trends%20in%202016%20and%20Beyond) [![Share on Pinterest](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/pinterest-24x24.png)](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mchoneind.com%2Fblog%2Famerican-metal-manufacturing-trends%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dpinterest&media=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn2.hubspot.net%2Fhubfs%2F1629394%2FImported_Blog_Media%2Fpexels-photo-13-1024x672.jpg) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mchoneind.com%2Fblog%2Famerican-metal-manufacturing-trends%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mchoneind.com%2Fblog%2Famerican-metal-manufacturing-trends%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) # American Metal Manufacturing: Growth, Trends in 2016 and Beyond - June 22, 2016 - McHone Industries, Inc. - [Comments Off](https://www.mchoneind.com/blog/american-metal-manufacturing-trends#comments-listing) ![Fabricated metal components engineered with holes](https://www.mchoneind.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/DSC_0369-2-1024x459.jpg?width=660&height=296&name=DSC_0369-2-1024x459.jpg) Although the manufacturing industry took a nosedive at the turn of the century, the outlook has been positive over the last few years. In 2013, [fabricated metals were the third largest U.S. manufacturing industry](http://esa.gov/sites/default/files/made-in-america-fabricated-metals.pdf). 12% of all manufacturing employees in the U.S. are employed in this industry. Fabricated metal shipments totaled $345.1 billion. In 2014, [IndustryWeek](http://www.industryweek.com/global-economy/mapi-says-manufacturing-will-outpace-us-growth) predicted a **3-4% increase in manufacturing production** (slightly higher than the GDP growth of 2.8%) and an addition of **356,000 manufacturing jobs**. Figures from [PR Newswire](http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/economic-growth-continues-in-2016-manufacturing-growth-expected-in-2016-revenue-to-increase-41-capital-expenditures-to-increase-10-capacity-utilization-currently-at-816-non-manufacturing-growth-projected-in-2016-revenu-300189385.html) forecast a continuation of this upward trend for 2016. ## American Metal Manufacturing Outlook What about metal manufacturing in particular? When we talk about metal manufacturing, we're most commonly referring to **metal fabrication**. Metal fabrication covers everything from metal forming to cutting to assembly. Some manufacturers that offer fabrication services will also provide engineering assistance, finishing services, and inventory management - so, those services may also fall under the umbrella of metal manufacturing. ### Metal Fabrication Industry According to [TheFabricator](http://www.thefabricator.com/article/shopmanagement/2015-metal-fabrication-forecast-steady-as-she-grows-article), 2015 saw steady growth in metal fabrication. The vast majority of manufacturers anticipated a higher operating level than the previous year, and 84% reported stable or expanding new order activity. The biggest gains for 2016 are in **bending** and **welding** fabrications. Metal bending surpassed laser cutting services for the first time in 2015 ([current projected spending is $328 million for bending and $231 million for laser cutting](http://www.thefabricator.com/article/shopmanagement/2016-capital-spending-forecast-in-metal-fabrication-the-growth-continues)). Overall, welding is seeing the largest jump in spending - far surpassing the growth of bending. Total spend on welding is expected to reach $600 million. ### The Future of American Metal Fabrication Most experts predict positive growth for metal manufacturing in the USA over the next 5-10 years. As [foreign wages continue to rise](http://www.inboundlogistics.com/cms/article/is-us-manufacturing-coming-back/) and [market volatility increases](http://www.iedp.com/articles/re-shoring-should-we-stay-or-should-we-go/), more and more companies will be moving their fabrications back to the U.S. Reshoring is also expected to increase as the [risks of offshoring](https://www.mchoneind.com/lp/hidden-costs-offshoring-ebook/) continue to outweigh the minimal benefits. Although [the steel industry is facing some instability](https://www.zacks.com/commentary/81506/steel-industry-stock-outlook---may-2016), metal fabrications continue to be in high demand. ## Overall, the outlook is positive for metal manufacturing. Manufacturers and their clients should be able to look forward to a stable, profitable future over the next few years. Want to know more about metal manufacturing? [Call or email us](https://www.mchoneind.com/contact-us/) for more information! 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