Architectural & Structural Metals Mfrs

The 13,179 metal manufacturers in the US produce structural, ornamental, and architectural metal products, primarily for use in the construction industry. Major product categories include sheet metal work; fabricated structural metal products; ornamental and architectural products; plate work; windows and doors; and prefabricated building and component products. Sheet metal work includes air conditioning ducts and stove pipe; electronic enclosures; roofing and roof drainage equipment; flooring and siding; and culverts, flumes, and irrigation pipe. Fabricated structural metal products include bar joists, concrete reinforcements, and structural metal for bridges.

Seasonal Sales

Sales are seasonal and driven by construction activity, which typically peaks during warmer weather.

Capital-Intensive Operations

Historically, architectural and structural metals manufacturing has been a capital-intensive industry and is becoming more so as the pace of technological change accelerates.

Sep 18, 2026 - Canada Raises Tariffs on US Metals

• More than 300 US steel and aluminum products and derivatives became subject to new Canadian tariffs beginning September 8, Manufacturing Dive reports. US steel and aluminum products previously facing 25% duties were raised to 50%, while steel and aluminum derivative products face 25% tariffs. The measures followed an escalation in trade restrictions between the two countries. Architectural and structural metals manufacturers that export finished or semifinished products to Canada may face weaker price competitiveness and greater uncertainty over cross-border orders. Domestic metal producers have generally supported stronger US trade enforcement, according to Manufacturing Dive, while Canada's government says its measures are intended to provide a level playing field for Canadian businesses.
• US raw steel production totaled 1.9 million net tons in the week ending September 12, up 7% from the same week a year earlier, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute. Capability utilization reached 82.3%, compared with 78.4% a year earlier, while year-to-date production was 5.5% above the comparable 2025 period. Higher domestic steel production could improve material availability for architectural and structural metals manufacturers that rely on steel plate, shapes, and other inputs. Increased mill output could also help fabricators manage lead times as they contend with volatile metal prices and changing trade conditions.
• US construction spending fell 0.5% from June to July and 3.8% compared with July 2025, according to an Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) analysis of government data. AGC said power, data center, and highway projects were the primary areas supporting construction activity, although the association cited worker shortages, tariffs, and other risks to continued growth. Private nonresidential spending increased 0.4% for the month but remained 3.3% below its year-earlier level. Manufacturing construction fell 21.7% from July 2025, while power construction rose 6.5%, and office construction, which includes data centers, increased 21.3%. The uneven construction market may shift demand for architectural and structural metals manufacturers toward stronger project categories. Fabricators serving multiple end markets may benefit from flexibility as weaker manufacturing construction contrasts with growth in power and office-related projects.
• Fabricated metal products was among 15 manufacturing industries reporting growth in August, according to the Institute for Supply Management. Overall, US manufacturing activity expanded for an eighth consecutive month, with the Manufacturing PMI registering 54.6%. A reading of 50 or more indicates an expansion in manufacturing activity. New orders also remained in expansion territory at 53.7%, although the index declined from 56.7% in July. Continued growth in fabricated metals and broader manufacturing could support demand and production activity for architectural and structural metals manufacturers. The moderation in new orders, however, suggests manufacturers may continue to watch incoming demand closely when making purchasing, hiring, and capacity decisions.

Industry size & Structure

The average architectural and structural metals manufacturer operates out of a single location, employs about 31 workers, and generates $11.4 million annually.

• The architectural and structural metals manufacturing industry consists of about 13,179 companies, employs 413,900 workers, and generates about $150.8 billion annually.
• The industry is highly fragmented; the top 50 firms account for only 29% of industry sales.
• Some large companies are vertically integrated and own and operate raw steel manufacturing facilities, such as mini-mills.
• Large companies include Valmont Industries, Cornerstone Building Brands, OmniMax International (formerly Euramax International), Quanex Building Products, and Gibraltar Industries.
• Commercial construction accounts for the majority of industry sales.
• Structural steel is the most commonly used framing material in the US, and accounts for over half of framing used in non-residential and multi-story (more than four stories) residential construction, according to the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC).