A metalworking facility is a place where raw metals are shaped into usable parts or objects through physical manipulations other than heavy-duty forging. Metalworking encompasses various cutting processes (drilling, machining, turning, threading, filing, grinding, etc.) and joining processes (welding, soldering, riveting, brazing, etc.). This also includes die casting, plating, extrusion, and rolling processes.

The work can remove material, join pieces, form metal, or apply a surface treatment. The resulting item can be a component rather than a complete finished product.

Heavy-duty forging remains excluded. Foundry casting forms metal in a mold and is a different process from forging; the listed die-casting operation remains part of this metalworking scope.