And the survey says ...

All in the family

As this year's surveys were counted, it became quickly and abundantly clear that the majority of the diemaking operations polled are still relatively small, family-owned companies. Seventy-eight percent are family-run shops, with 45 percent of the shops employing 25 or less workers. The shops have been in the business an average of 22 years with an overwhelming majority (73 percent) reporting earnings in the $1 million-$10 million range.