Die Casting Industry Statistics 2026
Current US die casting industry statistics. How big is the industry, how many die casters, aluminum vs zinc vs magnesium mix, top end markets, and 2026 outlook.
Die casting is the high-volume metal forming process behind most aluminum engine blocks, transmission housings, structural automotive components, appliance housings, and hardware parts.
How big is the US die casting industry?
Most US die casters operate fewer than 100 employees, with a handful of large publicly traded or PE-backed shops at the upper end serving major automotive programs.
What's the metal mix in US die casting?
Zinc die casting holds about 10% of volume but serves higher-value applications including hardware, decorative fittings, and electronics enclosures. Magnesium die casting fills specialized lightweighting applications.
What end markets drive die casting demand?
US die casting end-market mix concentrates heavily in automotive, with appliance, hardware, and electronics making up most of the remaining demand.
Which states have the most die casters?
| State | Die casting employment | Demand drivers |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 5,500 | Automotive (Detroit Three + suppliers) |
| Ohio | 4,800 | Automotive, appliance, machinery |
| Indiana | 3,400 | Automotive (transplants), RV, machinery |
| Wisconsin | 2,900 | Heavy equipment, machinery, automotive |
| Illinois | 2,500 | Machinery, automotive, hardware |
| Pennsylvania | 1,900 | Industrial machinery, hardware |
| Tennessee | 1,500 | Automotive transplant supply base |
| Alabama | 1,400 | Automotive transplants, defense |
| North Carolina | 1,200 | Furniture, machinery, automotive |
| Texas | 1,100 | Industrial, automotive |
What are typical die casting machine sizes?
North American die casting capacity has increased meaningfully since 2020 as automakers move toward larger structural castings, with single-press investments above $50 million now common.
What does this mean for die casters in 2026?
Three forces define the picture. First, the EV transition is reshaping the parts mix, with new opportunities in battery enclosures, motor housings, and structural castings. Second, the giga-casting trend concentrates major-program work among the few shops with massive press capacity. Third, AI-driven supplier research is becoming common at the procurement engineer level.
Sources
- 01
- 02Foundries (NAICS 3315) US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024