Spring and Wire Product Manufacturers NAICS 3326

Sep 18, 2025 - New SBA Loan Program for Working Capital

• 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.
• US manufacturers have much to lose in a trade war between the US and its largest trading partner Mexico, The New York Times reports. During his campaign, President-elect Donald Trump vowed to slap 25% tariffs (or higher) on all goods from Mexico unless it stopped the flow of migrants and drugs to the US. While Mexico depends heavily on trade with the US – exporting some 80% of its goods to America – it accounted for nearly 16% of overall US exports in 2022, according to the Office of the US Trade Representative. Tariffs on Mexico and China, another Trump target, would have widespread ramifications for manufacturers, making it more expensive to produce goods that use foreign materials and components. And if other countries respond with retaliatory tariffs, it could also make it more expensive for manufacturers to export goods to foreign markets, according to Manufacturing Dive.

• Shop floor injuries needn’t be serious to be costly. In its 2024 Injury Impact Report, the insurer The Travelers Companies found the most common workplace accidents accounted for the majority of claim costs. The most frequent causes of injury identified in the report included overexertion (29% of claims analyzed); slips, trips, and falls (23%); being struck by an object (12%). Those injuries were also the top drivers of severe claims, defined as $250,000 or more. Slips, trips, and falls, which include falls from height, topped that list. Injuries related to overexertion can result in extended absences with injuries like dislocations having the highest number of average lost-time days at 142 days, followed by fractures (92 days), and inflammation (85 days). Improving shop floor ergonomics, eliminating trip/fall hazards, and material handling mishaps are three areas metal fabricators can focus on to reduce injuries and time lost.
• Producer prices for spring and wire product manufacturers rose 1.2% in August compared to a year ago after climbing 7.3% in the previous August-versus-August annual comparison, according to the latest US Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The industry producer price is at a record high amid increases in input costs, including metals and labor. In August, the average wage at fabricated metal manufacturers rose 3.9% year over year to a new high of $27.46 per hour, BLS data show. Employment by hardware, spring, and wire product manufacturers continued to trend in the opposite direction, down 4% YoY in July.