Iron and Steel Castings: 2003 Issued October 2004

MA331A(03)-1

NOTICE Current 

Industrial

The MA331A annual survey is discontinued as of December 2004. Reports

The 2003 annual report is the last publication for this survey.

Current data are released electronically on Internet short tons, which compares to the 9,268

for all individual surveys as they become avail- thousand short tons shipped in 2002. Ductile

able. Use: http://www.census.gov/mcd/. iron and gray iron castings quantity shipped 

Individual reports can be accessed by choosing were estimated at 3,899 and 4,219 thousand 

"Current Industrial Reports (CIR)," clicking on short tons respectively, from the 4,081 and 

"CIRs by Subsector;" then choose the survey of 4,401 shipped in 2002. Manufacturers of 

interest. Follow the menu to view the PDF file malleable iron castings shipped 115 thousand 

or to download the worksheet file (WK format) short tons in 2003, from the 127 thousand 

to your personal computer. short tons shipped in 2002. The quantity of 

steel castings (except investment) shipped in

These data are also available on Internet 2003 is 739 thousand short tons, from the 

through the U.S. Department of Commerce 659 thousand short tons shipped in 2002.

and STAT-USA by subscription. The Internet The quantity of steel investment castings

address is: www.stat-usa.gov/. Follow the shipped in 2003 is 64 thousand pounds,

prompts to register. Also, you may call compared to 65 thousand pounds shipped

202-482-1986 or 1-800-STAT-USA, for in 2002.

further information. 

For general CIR information, explanation of

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS general terms and historical note, see the

appendix.

In 2003, quantity of iron and steel castings

shipped were estimated at 8,971 thousand 

Address inquiries concerning these data to Primary Goods Industries Branch, Manufacturing and Construction Division (MCD), Washington, DC 20233-

6900, or call Brenda Campbell, 301-763-1031.

For mail or fax copies of this publication, please contact the Information Services Center, MCD, Washington, DC 20233-6900, or call 301-763-4673.

U S C E N S U S B U R E A U U.S. Department of Commerce

 Economics and Statistics Administration

Helping You Make Informed Decisions U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
Table 1. Quantity of Shipments of Iron and Steel Castings: 2003 and 2002

[Thousands of short tons] 

2003 2002

Ductile iron castings:

 Total................................................................................... 3,899 4,081

 For sale............................................................................... 3,630 3,814

 For own use........................................................................ 268 268

Gray iron castings:

 Total................................................................................... 4,219 4,401

 For sale............................................................................... 3,160 3,257

 For own use........................................................................ 1,060 1,144

Malleable iron castings:

 Total................................................................................... 114,632 126,963

 For sale............................................................................... (D) (D)

 For own use........................................................................ (D) (D)

Steel castings:

 Total................................................................................... 739 659

 For sale............................................................................... 726 650

 For own use........................................................................ 12 9

 D Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual companies. 
Table 2. Value of Shipments of Iron and Steel Castings: 2003 and 2002

[Millions of dollars] 

 2003 2002 

Product description Standard Standard

Value of error Value of error

shipments (percent) shipments (percent)

Ductile iron castings.......................... 3,203.1 (Z) 3,301.8 (Z)

Gray iron castings.............................. 3,213.2 1.7 3,335.4 1.6

Malleable iron castings...................... 144.8 0.7 156.8 0.7

Steel castings..................................... 1,416.8 1.8 1,289.9 1.2

Steel investment castings.................. 1,562.3 1.8 r/ 1,439.7 3.4

 r/Revised by 5 percent or more from previously published data. Z Less than half the

unit shown.

 Note: Dollar value represents the value of castings for sale. 
Continued 1

Table 3. Shipments of Iron and Steel Castings by Type of Castings: 2003 and 2002

[Quantity in short tons] 

 2003 2002 

 Product description Standard Standard

Product error error

code Quantity (percent) Quantity (percent)

Iron and steel castings (except investment 

 castings)................................................................ 8,971,005 0.6 9,268,428 0.5

 For sale................................................................ 7,564,768 0.5 7,778,408 0.5

 For own use......................................................... 1,406,237 1.4 1,490,020 1.3

Ductile (nodular) iron castings............................... 3,898,674 (Z) 4,081,344 (Z)

 For sale................................................................ 3,630,408 (Z) 3,813,699 (Z)

 For own use......................................................... 268,266 0.6 267,645 0.6

 Ductile iron pressure pipe: 

3315111201 Under 14 inches (inside diameter) 1/............. 1,202,460 - r/ 1,252,909 -

3315111107 14 to 24 inches 1/........................................... 454,163 - r/ 465,112 -

3315111108 25 inches and over 1/..................................... 251,217 - r/ 240,879 -

 Ductile iron fittings: 

3315111111 Under 14 inches (inside diameter) 1/............. 70,491 2.4 82,350 2.4

3315111117 14 to 24 inches 1/........................................... 16,332 - r/ 17,050 -

3315111118 25 inches and over 1/..................................... 12,285 - r/ 11,335 -

3315113206 Construction and utility castings 2/................... 69,539 (Z) 67,648 (Z)

3315113101 Automotive uses 2/............................................. 936,831 (Z) 1,031,167 (Z)

3315113216 Machinery uses 2/............................................... 70,307 2.8 81,643 2.4

3315113221 Other ductile iron castings (except pressure

 pipe and fittings): 

 For sale............................................................ 546,783 0.7 r/ 563,606 0.6

 For own use..................................................... 64,830 1.8 64,974 1.0

Gray iron castings................................................... 4,219,186 1.1 4,401,306 1.0

 For sale................................................................ 3,159,526 1.0 3,257,480 1.0

 For own use......................................................... 1,059,660 1.8 1,143,826 1.7

331511E200 Molds and stools for heavy steel ingots 2/........ 28,855 - 25,990 -

 Gray iron pressure pipe fittings: 3/ 

3315115121 Under 14 inches (inside diameter ) 1/............ 6,054 (Z) r/ 6,287 (Z)

3315115125 14 inches and over (inside diameter) 1/......... 385 2.8 518 2.8

3315117114 Gray iron soil pipe 1/.......................................... 216,948 - 229,967 -

3315117133 Gray iron soil pipe fittings 1/3/......................... 60,542 - 61,902 -

3315119206 Automotive uses 2/............................................. 867,530 0.9 908,238 0.8

3315119111 Construction and utility castings 2/................... 403,103 0.9 432,746 1

3315119116 All other gray iron castings, including 

 white iron castings: 

 For sale............................................................ 1,576,111 1.9 1,591,834 1.9

 For own use..................................................... 266,678 6.1 262,607 6.1

Malleable iron castings........................................... 114,632 (Z) 126,963 (Z)

 For sale................................................................ (D) (NA) (D) (NA)

 For own use......................................................... (D) (NA) (D) (NA)

331511A100 Standard malleable 2/......................................... (D) (NA) (D) (NA)

331511C300 Pearlitic malleable 2/.......................................... (D) (NA) (D) (NA)

 Steel castings (except investment).......................... 738,513 (Z) 658,815 (Z)

 For sale................................................................ 726,284 (Z) 650,093 (Z)

 For own use......................................................... 12,229 7.7 8,722 11.7

 Carbon steel 2/................................................... 471,633 (Z) 415,463 (Z)

 Railroad specialties 2/.................................... (D) (NA) (D) (NA)

3315131102 Side frames, bolsters, couplers, yokes, 

 draft gear, snubbers (self-contained 

 unit type), hopper doors and frames

 and break beams 2/.................................. (D) (NA) (D) (NA)

3315131103 Other carbon steel railway and transit 

 rolling stock castings 2/........................... (D) (NA) (D) (NA)

3315131215 Other carbon steel castings, including 

 rolls for rolling mills: 

 For sale........................................................ 114,963 0.8 131,071 0.7

 For own use................................................. 2,228 2.5 2,125 2.8
Continued 2

Table 3. Shipments of Iron and Steel Castings by Type of Castings: 2003 and 2002

[Quantity in short tons] 

 2003 2002 

 Product description Standard Standard

Product error error

code Quantity (percent) Quantity (percent)

 Alloy (except high alloy) steel castings............... 177,201 1.0 157,216 3.0

3315135101 Railway specialties 2/..................................... 14,945 3.2 17,760 3.0

3315135113 Other alloy steel castings, including rolls

 for rolling mills 2/........................................ 162,256 1.0 139,456 1.0

3315133113 High alloy steel castings: 

 For sale........................................................... 87,362 1.4 84,799 1.5

 For own use.................................................... 2,317 5.9 1,337 8.2

Steel investment castings 4/................................... 63,920 (Z) 64,655 0.6

 For sale 4/........................................................... 61,214 0.6 61,952 0.6

 For own use 4/.................................................... 2,706 0.8 2,702 -

3315120101 Carbon, including low alloy 2/4/........................ 29,249 (Z) 27,300 0.7

3315120106 Alloy, including stainless 2/4/........................... 34,671 0.8 37,354 0.7

 - Represents zero. D Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual companies. NA Not available.

r/Revised by 5 percent or more from previously published data. Z Less than half the unit shown. 

 1/Represents data "For sale" only.

 2/Represents data "For sale" and "For own use."

 3/Does not include machined, threaded, or assembled fittings.

 4/Shipments are in thousands of pounds
Table 4. Manufacturers Shipments, Exports, and Imports of Iron and Steel Castings: 2003

[Quantity in short tons] 

Product Product description 1/ Manufacturers' Exports of domestic Imports for

 code shipments merchandise 1/2/ consumption 1/3/

3315111107, Ductile iron pressure pipe 4/.................... 1,907,840 5,635 12,693

1108, 1201

3315111111, Ductile iron fittings 4/.............................. 99,108 222 252

 1117, 1118

331511E200 Molds for heavy steel ingot 4/.................. 28,855 684 7,459

 

3315115121, Gray iron pressure pipe fittings 4/........... 6,439 8,339 18,433

 5125 

3315117114 Gray iron soil pipe 4/................................ 216,948 60,653 9,540

 

3315117133 Gray iron soil pipe fittings 4/................... 60,542 4,930 17,262

3315113101, Iron and steel castings, n.e.c. 4/............... 5,718,777 79,776 346,136

 3206, 3216,

 3221, 9111,

 9116, 9206,

 A100, C300,

 3315120101,

 0106

 3315131102,

 1103, 1215,

 3113, 5101,

 5113

 n.e.c. Not elsewhere classified.

 1/For comparison of North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)-based product codes with 

Schedule B export codes, and import codes, see Table 5. 

 2/Source: Census Bureau report FT 446, U.S. Exports. 

 3/Source: Census Bureau report IM 145, U.S. Imports for Consumption. 

 4/See Table 3 for data representing "For sale" and "For own use."
Table 5. Comparison of North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)-Based Product Codes

 with Schedule B Export Codes and HTSUSA Import Codes: 2003 

Product 

code Product description Export codes 1/ Import codes 2/

 

3315111107, Ductile iron pressure pipe.......................................... 7303.00.0060 7303.00.0060

 1108, 1201 7303.00.0090 7303.00.0090

3315111111, Ductile iron fittings..................................................... 7307.19.3000 7307.19.3040

 1117, 1118 7307.19.3060

7307.19.3080

331511E200 Molds for heavy steel ingots....................................... 8454.20.0010 8454.20.0010

 

3315115121, Gray iron pressure pipe fittings................................. 7307.11.0030 7307.11.0030

 5125 7307.11.0060 7307.11.0060

3315117114 Gray iron soil pipe...................................................... 7303.00.0030 7303.00.0030

3315117133 Gray iron soil pipe fittings.......................................... 7307.11.0045 7307.11.0045

3315113101, Iron and steel castings, n.e.c. .................................... 7307.19.9030 7307.19.9030

 3206, 3216, 7307.19.9090 7307.19.9040

 3221, 9111, 7325.10.0000 7307.19.9060

 9116, 9206, 7325.91.0000 7307.19.9080

 A100, C300, 7325.99.0000 7325.10.0010

 3315120101, 7325.10.0025

 0106 7325.10.0020

 3315131102, 7325.10.0035

 1103, 1215, 7325.10.0030

 3113, 5101, 7325.10.0080

 5113 7325.91.0000

7325.99.1000

7325.99.5000

 n.e.c. Not elsewhere classified. 

 1/Source: 2003 edition, Harmonized System-based Schedule B, Statistical Classification of Domestic

and Foreign Commodities Exported from the United States. 

 2/Source: Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, Annotated (2003). 
Current Industrial Reports A-1

Appendix. 

General CIR Survey Information, Explanation of General Terms

and Historical Note

GENERAL

The CIR program has been providing monthly,

quarterly, and annual measures of industrial activity for

many years. Since 1904, with its cotton and fats and oils

surveys, the CIR program has formed an essential part

of an integrated statistical system involving the quinquennial economic census, manufacturing sector, and

the annual survey of manufactures. The CIR surveys,

however, provide current statistics at a more detailed

product level than either of the other two statistical

programs.

The primary objective of the CIR program is to

produce timely, accurate data on production and

shipments of selected products. The data are used to

satisfy economic policy needs and for market analysis,

forecasting, and decision making in the private sector.

The product-level data generated by these surveys are

used extensively by individual firms, trade associations,

and market analysts in planning or recommending

marketing and legislative strategies, particularly if their

industry is significantly affected by foreign trade.

Although production and shipments information are the

two most common data items collected, the CIR

program collects other measures also such as

inventories, orders, and consumption. These surveys

measure manufacturing activity in important commodity

areas such as textiles and apparel, chemicals, primary

metals, computer and electronic components, industrial

equipment, aerospace equipment, and consumer

goods.

The CIR program uses a unified data collection,

processing, and publication system. The U.S. Census

Bureau updates the survey panels for most reports

annually and reconciles the estimates to the results of

the broader-based annual survey of manufactures and

the economic census, manufacturing sector. The manufacturing sector provides a complete list of all

producers of the products covered by the CIR program

and serves as the primary source for CIR sampling.

Where a small number of producers exist, CIR surveys

cover all known producers of a product. However, when

the number of producers is too large, cutoff and

random sampling techniques are used. Surveys are

continually reviewed and modified to provide the most

up-to-date information on products produced. The CIR

program includes a group of mandatory and voluntary

surveys. Typically the monthly and quarterly surveys are

conducted on a voluntary basis. Those companies that

choose not to respond to the voluntary surveys are

required to submit a mandatory annual counterpart

corresponding to the more frequent survey.

NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION

SYSTEM (NAICS), 1997 

The adoption of the North American Industry

Classification System (NAICS) in the 1997 Economic

Census has had a major impact on the comparability of

current and historic data. Approximately half of the

industries in the manufacturing sector of NAICS do not

have comparable industries in the Standard Industrial

Classification (SIC) system that was used in the past.

While most of the change affecting the

manufacturing sector was change within the sector,

some industries left manufacturing and others came into

manufacturing. Prominent among those that left

manufacturing are logging and portions of publishing.

Prominent among the industries that came into the

manufacturing sector are bakeries, candy stores where

candy is made on the premises, custom tailors, makers

of custom draperies, and tire retreading. The net effect

of the classification changes are such that if the 1997

value of shipments data for all manufacturers were

tabulated on an SIC basis, it would be approximately 3

percent higher.

Listed below are the NAICS sectors:

21 Mining

22 Utilities

23 Construction

31-33 Manufacturing

42 Wholesale Trade

44-45 Retail Trade

48-49 Transportation and Warehousing

51 Information

52 Finance and Insurance

53 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing

54 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

55 Management of Companies and Enterprises

56 Administrative and Support and Waste Management

and Remediation Services

61 Educational Services

62 Health Care and Social Assistance

71 Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation

72 Accommodation and Food Services

81 Other Services (except Public Administration)

(Not listed above are the Agriculture, Forestry,

Fishing, and Hunting sector (NAICS 11), partially covered

by the census of agriculture conducted by the U.S.

Department of Agriculture, and the Public

Administration sector (NAICS 92), covered by the census

of governments conducted by the Census Bureau.)
Current Industrial Reports A-2

The 20 NAICS sectors are subdivided into 96

subsectors (three-digit codes), 313 industry groups

(four-digit codes), and, as implemented in the United

States, 1170 industries (five- and six-digit codes).

FUNDING

The Census Bureau funds most of the surveys.

However, a number of surveys are paid for either fully

or partially by other Federal Government agencies or

private trade associations. A few surveys are mandated,

but all are authorized by Title 13 of the United States

Code.

RELIABILITY OF DATA

Survey error may result from several sources

including the inability to obtain information about all

cases in the survey, response errors, definitional

difficulties, differences in the interpretation of

questions, mistakes in recording or coding the reported

data, and other errors of collection, response,

coverage, and estimation. These nonsampling errors

also occur in complete censuses. Although no direct

measurement of the biases due to these nonsampling

errors has been obtained, precautionary steps were

taken in all phases of the collection, processing, and

tabulation of the data in an effort to minimize their

influence.

A major source of bias in the published estimates is

the imputing of data for nonrespondents, for late

reporters, and for data that fail logic edits. Missing

figures are imputed based on period-to-period

movements shown by reporting firms. A figure is

considered to be an impute if the value was not directly

reported on the questionnaire, directly derived from

other reported items, directly available from

supplemental sources, or obtained from the respondent

during the analytical review phase. Imputation generally

is limited to a maximum of 10 percent for any one data

cell. Figures with imputation rates greater than 10

percent are suppressed or footnoted. The imputation

rate is not an explicit indicator of the potential error in

published figures due to nonresponse, because the

actual yearly movements for nonrespondents may or

may not closely agree with the imputed movements.

The range of difference between the actual and

imputed figures is assumed to be small. The degree of

uncertainty regarding the accuracy of the published

data increases as the percentage of imputation

increases. Figures with imputation rates above 10

percent should be used with caution.

DATA REVISIONS

Statistics for previous years may be revised as the

result of corrected figures from respondents, late

reports for which imputations were originally made, or

other corrections. Data that have been revised by more

than 5 percent from previously published data are

indicated by footnotes.

DISCLOSURE

The Census Bureau collects the CIR data under the

authority of Title 13, United States Code, which

specifies that the information can only be used for

statistical purposes and cannot be published or released

in any manner that would identify a person, household,

or establishment. "D" indicates that data in the cell have

been suppressed to avoid disclosure of information

pertaining to individual companies.

EXPLANATION OF GENERAL TERMS

Capacity. The maximum quantity of a product that can

be produced in a plant in 1 day if operating for 24

hours. Includes the capacity of idle plants until the plant

is reported to be destroyed, dismantled, or abandoned.

Consumption. Materials used in producing or

processing a product or otherwise removing the

product from the inventory.

Exports. Includes all types of products shipped to

foreign countries, or to agents or exporters for

reshipment to foreign countries.

Gross shipments. The quantity or value of physical

shipments from domestic establishments of all products

sold, transferred to other establishments of the same

company, or shipped on consignment, whether for

domestic or export sale or use. Shipments of products

purchased for resale are omitted. Shipments of

products made under toll arrangements are included.

Interplant transfers. Shipments to other domestic

plants within a company for further assembly,

fabrication, or manufacture.

Inventories. The quantity or value of finished goods,

work in progress, and materials on hand.

Machinery in place. The number of machines of a

particular type in place as of a particular date whether

the machinery was used for production, prototype, or

sampling, or was idle. Machinery in place includes all

machinery set up in operating positions.

Net receipts. Derived by subtracting the materials held

at the end of the previous month from the sum of

materials used during the current month.

Production. The total volume of products produced,

including: products sold; products transferred or added

to inventory after adjustments for breakage, shrinkage,

and obsolescence, plus any other inventory adjustment;

and products that undergo further manufacture at the

same establishment. 

Quantities produced and consumed. Quantities of

each type of product produced by a company for

internal consumption within that same company.
Current Industrial Reports A-3

Quantity and value of new orders. The sales value

of orders received during the current reporting period

for products and services to be delivered immediately

or at some future date. Also represents the net sales

value of contract change documents that increase or

decrease the sales value of the orders to which they are 

related, when the parties concerned are in substantial

agreement as to the amount involved. Included as

orders are only those that are supported by binding

legal documents such as signed contracts or letter

contracts.

Quantity and value of shipments. The figures on

quantity and value of shipments represent physical

shipments of all products sold, transferred to other

establishments of the same company, or shipped on

consignment, whether for domestic or export sale. The

value represents the net sales price, f.o.b. plant, to the

customer or branch to which the products are shipped,

net of discounts, allowances, freight charges, and

returns. Shipments to a company's own branches are

assigned the same value as comparable appropriate

allocation of company overhead and profit. Products

bought and resold without further manufacture are

excluded.

Stocks. Total quantity of ending finished inventory.

Unfilled orders (backlog). Calculated by adding net

new orders and subtracting net sales from the backlog

at the end of the preceding year.

HISTORICAL NOTE

Data on iron and steel castings have been collected

by the Census Bureau since 1943. Historical data may

be obtained from Current Industrial Reports (called

Facts for Industry before 1959) available at your local

Federal Depository Library.