For SBA lenders
Short answer
For manufacturing businesses, eligibility is typically determined by the number of employees, with specific thresholds varying by NAICS code, often around 500 or 1,500 employees.
The SBA establishes specific size standards for various industries, primarily based on NAICS codes. For manufacturing, these standards are usually based on the average number of employees over the past 12 months. Lenders must consult the SBA Table of Size Standards to determine the exact threshold for a given NAICS code.
A company with NAICS code 333210 (Mining and Oil and Gas Field Machinery Manufacturing) has 700 employees. The lender consults the SBA Table of Size Standards and finds the threshold for this NAICS is 1,000 employees. Therefore, the company is considered a small business.
SBA Table of Size Standards
13 CFR Part 121 - Small Business Size Regulations
SOP 50 10 - Lender and Development Company Loan Programs
Last checked 2026-06-13. Official sources control — verify before relying on any rule for a live deal.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 · SBA sources checked through 2026-06-13. DealRoom analysis of public SBA 7(a) lending records (FY2020–present). Grounded in the current SBA rulebook; verify against the official sources above before relying on it for a live deal. Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an approval decision.
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