IndustryNet's latest data depicts positive growth trends for U.S. industrial metal plating companies.
These manufacturers are integral to the metal finishing industry by applying a number of fabrication processes used to coat, plate, polish and heat treat metals.
Manufacturers can also apply plating to plastics and other nonmetallic surfaces. A look at the following data gives a snapshot of what's new in the industry.
Industry overview: U.S. industrial metal plating
During fabrication processes, manufacturers in the metal finishing industry utilize several types of industrial plating:
• Electroplating.
• Hard chrome plating.
• Black oxide plating.
• Cadmium plating.
• Nickel plating.
• Electroless plating.
• Decorative plating.
• Precious metals plating.
In fact, industrial plating is now the second-largest sector in the metal finishing industry in terms of sales and employment. As U.S. manufacturing continues to gain momentum, IndustryNet data suggest that the U.S. industrial plating sector will remain healthy, which may lead to further job growth over the next year.
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Number of companies and jobs
Today, there are 723 U.S. industrial plating companies that employ 22,459 workers. IndustryNet statistics show that 624 companies operate in the domestic distribution space, accounting for 86 percent of all U.S. industrial plating companies.
One hundred seventy-seven (177) U.S. industrial plating companies import raw materials, comprising 24 percent of all plating companies reported to IndustryNet. Ninety-five (95) companies operate in the international distribution space. Overall, U.S. industrial plating sector centers more on domestic distribution than general manufacturing as a whole; 70 percent of companies in general manufacturing is in the domestic distribution space.
Job change over one year
Furthermore, job change in the U.S. industrial plating sector remains steady, which coincides with corroborating data on the metal finishing industry. Employment growth continues to show improvement over recent years.
Job change over one year was reported at 1.33 percent. Last year, U.S. industrial plating companies employed 22,165 workers.
IndustryNet data show that the Midwest by far accounts for the largest growth in employment. In total, 46.15 percent of job change came from the Midwest. Average sales figures reported to IndustryNet are similarly encouraging.
Average sales
With respect to sales data, U.S. industrial metal plating companies continue to outpace general manufacturing as a whole. Average sales one year ago were reported to be $1.95 billion, but today, average sales stand at $1.99 billion, a 1.88 percent increase. In general manufacturing, average sales grew .01 percent over last year. Regional differences add context to these figures.
Regional differences
A majority of industrial metal plating companies operate in the Midwest, which accounts for 36.38 percent of all companies that report data to IndustryNet. The next most populous region for U.S. industrial plating companies is the Pacific region.
Ninety-seven (97) companies operate in IndustryNet's Pacific region, comprising 13.42 percent of all industrial plating manufacturers. IndustryNet's middle Atlantic region also stands out as one of the top three regions of the U.S. for industrial plating companies; 12 percent of all industrial plating manufacturers operate in this region.
For more information
The takeaway from IndustryNet's insights into U.S. industrial metal plating is that this sector continues to expand amid positive growth signs. Those interested in connecting with all U.S. industrial plating companies can start their search on IndustryNet. IndustryNet listings provide comprehensive information on each company, including vital contact information, product and service offerings, ISO ratings, social media links, map and driving directions, catalogs, videos, photos and more.
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