Clay Product & Refractory Manufacturers NAICS 3271
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Industry Summary
The 868 clay product and refractory manufacturers in the US produce structural products, refractories, whitewares, and technical or engineered goods. Structural products include brick, roofing tiles, pipes, and flooring tiles. Refractories are made to withstand high temperatures - over 1,000 degrees - and include fireplace liner bricks, kiln and forge lining materials, crucibles for metal and glass melting, and gas burner components. Whitewares tend to be more delicate and include dishes, china, wall tiles, lamp bases, statuary, pottery, and sanitary porcelain (sinks, toilets, and urinals). Technical or engineered products include ceramic disk brakes, ballistic protection, biomedical implants, mechanical bearings, and missile nose cones.
Competition from Alternative Materials
Manufacturers of clay products compete for market share against manufacturers making similar products from alternative materials.
Rising Energy Costs
Clay product and refractory manufacturers have high energy expenses because materials are baked or fired to obtain their rigid form.
Recent Developments
Jan 20, 2026 - Job Losses
- The US manufacturing sector logged seven consecutive months (April-November) of job losses following President Trump’s April 2025 “Liberation Day” tariffs, which were intended to boost domestic production and hiring, MSN reported in January. In an interview with CNN, Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, acknowledged the decline, but argued that new factory groundbreakings, about 30 since September, would generate jobs in 2026. However, commentators like Brian Allen note that manufacturing workers continue to face layoffs despite pro‑manufacturing rhetoric, calling the trend economic deterioration rather than renewal. Data cited by CNN reinforces the concern: industries dependent on manual labor have been cutting jobs throughout 2025, with Bureau of Labor Statistics figures showing sustained losses across traditional blue‑collar sectors. Employment by clay product and refractory manufacturers fell 16.7% over the past ten years, much lower than the 13% growth in overall private employment.
- US factory activity shrank in October for an eighth straight month, driven by a pullback in production and tepid demand, The Wall Street Journal reported in November citing the latest data from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM). In October, ISM’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) fell to 48.7 from 49.1 in September (a reading under 50 indicated contraction), with production, new orders, and employment all contracting, reversing short-lived gains seen in previous months. Six manufacturing industries reported growth in October: Primary Metals; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Transportation Equipment; Plastics & Rubber Products; Fabricated Metal Products; and Nonmetallic Mineral Products. Twelve industries reported contraction for the month including Textile Mills; Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Furniture & Related Products; and Machinery. WSJ noted that tariffs and their impact on prices and demand featured highly in respondents’ answers to ISM’s survey.
- The US Small Business Administration has launched what it calls its first-ever loan program dedicated to supporting America’s small manufacturers by providing additional credit for working capital needs. Effective Oct. 1, the Manufacturer’s Access to Revolving Credit (MARC) Loan Program will provide a maximum of $5 million to borrowers engaged in manufacturing (NAICS 31-33), according to the agency. The money must be used for working capital needs, such as inventory purchases or new projects. MARC capital can be structured as a term loan for up to 10 years or a revolving line of credit for up to 20 years and the loan can be used in combination with other SBA and conventional commercial loans. The MARC loan program is part of the Trump administration’s larger effort to strengthen US manufacturing.
- Producer prices for clay product and refractory manufacturers rose 3.6% in September compared to a year ago, after rising 1.5% in the previous September-versus-September annual comparison, according to the latest US Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Industry producer prices are at an all-time high having risen steadily in 2025. Employment by clay product and refractory manufacturers extended its downward trend in August, falling 3.5% year over year, while average wages at nonmetallic mineral product manufacturers jumped 5.8% YoY in September to a new high of $29.11 per hour, BLS data show.
Industry Revenue
Clay Product & Refractory Manufacturers
Industry Structure
Industry size & Structure
A typical clay product and refractory manufacturer operates out of one location, employs 40 workers, and generates about $10.8 million annually.
- The clay product and refractory manufacturing industry consists of about 868 companies which employ about 34,500 workers and generate about $9.4 billion annually.
- Pottery, ceramics, and plumbing fixture manufacturers represent 63% of firms but employ just 35% of workers and generate 29% of industry revenue. Clay building materials and refractory product manufacturers represent 37% of firms and employ 65% of workers and generate 70% of industry revenue.
- Customer industries include building materials distributors, construction firms, utilities (water/sewer/power), oil and gas producers, government (military/law enforcement), hardware and home improvement stores, electrical supplies distributors, electronic component manufacturers, home furnishings wholesalers and retailers, foodservice providers (restaurants, caterers, hotels), kiln manufacturers, and manufacturers of products that requiring kiln-firing or extremely high temperature to cure.
- Large companies include General Shale Brick, Corning, Lenox, CoorsTek, Ortech Ceramics, American Standard, and Mohawk Industries (Daltile, Marazzi).
- The industry is concentrated with the 20 largest firms representing about 54% of industry revenue.
Industry Forecast
Industry Forecast
Clay Product & Refractory Manufacturers Industry Growth
Source: Vertical IQ and Inforum
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