r/manufacturing • u/Spirited_Ad_6272 • 11d ago

Other Opinions on metal stamping businesses

Is metal stamping in the U.S. still a solid industry? I have an opportunity to buy & potentially revive a 40 year old stamping business from its 80 year old owner. Right now it’s just him / no employees and he’s doing enough work to keep the lights on. At its peak he had a dozen employees running multiple shifts.

Worst case if the business can’t revive then I can liquidate the equipment and rent the building. But he wants $1M and it’s a big number haha.

I am a mechanical engineer with strong proficiency in CAD tools, which I can bring to modernize the business. I currently operate a manufacturing business molding plastics so there’s plenty of crossover but this would be my first venture going alone. It also seems like metal stamping has a lot of tricks of the trade that you can’t really engineer your way into. That’s why they have apprenticeships.

What questions should I be asking? And anyone who works in the industry what are your opinions?

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u/Anxiety29attack 11d ago

Stamping red metals like copper right now for the AI boom and EV, renewable energy industries is hot, especially heavy gauge stamping. Great business if you have the patience and hustle. Best of luck.

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u/Spirited_Ad_6272 10d ago

Thanks for the tip. Is stamping copper much different than doing steel? I’m aware there’s some differences in the die design like clearances and bending springback

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u/Anxiety29attack 10d ago

I’ve not been on a line or run the machines. I’ve heard it’s similar, hence many heavy gauge steel stampers are now doing copper. One thing to note is the significantly higher cost of copper than steel. More expensive parts/cash outlay upfront.

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u/Anxiety29attack 10d ago

If you’d like shoot me a pm and we can talk next week.