Hot Forging Press Market Size | Global Report [2033]

Hot Forging Press Market Overview

The Hot Forging Press Market size was valued at USD 1405.11 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 2088.1 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 4.5% from 2025 to 2033.

The hot forging press market serves as a foundational pillar in heavy industrial manufacturing, playing a vital role in the production of automotive parts, aerospace components, hardware tools, and heavy engineering equipment. In 2023, global shipments of hot forging presses exceeded 18,700 units, with Asia-Pacific accounting for more than 52% of installations. These presses, capable of applying force in the range of 5,000 kN to over 150,000 kN, are instrumental in shaping metals like steel, aluminum, titanium, and nickel alloys at temperatures above 1,150°C.

China led the market with over 6,400 units installed across its automotive and railway forging sectors. Hydraulic and mechanical variants dominate, with hybrid-electric systems gaining popularity for their energy efficiency, accounting for 11% of all presses sold in 2023. Industries prefer hot forging presses due to their superior material grain flow, high repeatability, and ability to produce structurally strong components. Germany, Japan, and the United States each produced more than 1,000 units last year for global distribution. Lifecycle productivity, averaging 10 million strokes per unit, positions hot forging presses as essential assets in industrial automation and high-volume production environments.

Key Findings

DRIVER: Expansion of automotive and heavy machinery production lines is accelerating demand for high-capacity forging presses.

COUNTRY/REGION: Asia-Pacific leads the market, with China accounting for over 34% of all global press installations in 2023.

SEGMENT: The 10000-100000 kN segment dominates due to its versatility across automotive and engineering applications.

Hot Forging Press Market Trends

A prominent trend in the hot forging press market is the adoption of smart manufacturing systems. In 2023, over 3,000 forging press units were sold with integrated Industry 4.0 features such as real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and IoT-based control interfaces. Germany and South Korea led in this integration, with over 85% of new presses equipped with smart controllers.

Another evolving trend is the use of energy-efficient servo-hydraulic systems. These presses reduce energy consumption by up to 23% compared to conventional hydraulic variants. Over 1,200 servo-hydraulic presses were installed globally in 2023, mainly in North America and Europe, to meet rising sustainability goals.

Customization of stroke and die design has become increasingly important. In 2023, 62% of customers opted for presses with adjustable stroke lengths and modular die systems to enhance flexibility in multi-part production environments. This trend was most visible in the aerospace sector, where over 180 facilities upgraded presses for aerospace-grade titanium forging.

Automation integration is also growing. Over 40% of newly installed presses in 2023 were paired with robotic arms and automated workpiece loading/unloading systems. This helped reduce cycle times by 12% and improved workplace safety in foundries and forging shops.

Local sourcing and modular construction are trending, especially in India and Brazil, where over 90 hot forging press units were assembled using regionally sourced parts to reduce import dependency and cost.

Hot Forging Press Market Dynamics

Market dynamics are the set of influential factors—both internal and external—that shape the direction, behavior, and growth of the hot forging press market. These dynamics provide insights into what drives demand, what hinders adoption, where future opportunities lie, and what challenges manufacturers and end-users face.

DRIVER

Rising demand for forged automotive and aerospace components

Automotive and aerospace sectors continue to be major drivers for the hot forging press market. In 2023, over 79 million vehicles were produced globally, with forged parts comprising over 70% of chassis and drivetrain components. Each automotive forging plant typically operates 10 to 15 presses, handling workpieces between 1 kg to 150 kg. In the aerospace sector, forged turbine discs and landing gear structures require forces exceeding 100,000 kN. The U.S. and China accounted for over 2,000 new press installations dedicated to these sectors in 2023 alone. This surge is fueled by growing demand for durable, high-load components that withstand mechanical and thermal stress.

RESTRAINT

High capital expenditure and complex maintenance

One of the main restraints in the hot forging press market is the substantial initial investment required. Presses rated above 100,000 kN can cost over $1.2 million per unit. Additionally, lifecycle maintenance—including hydraulic fluid management, seal replacements, and die reconditioning—can account for up to 15% of total ownership cost annually. In 2023, over 540 forging units reported downtime exceeding three weeks due to lack of skilled maintenance personnel or delayed part availability. These factors deter small and medium enterprises from adopting high-capacity forging systems, despite their production efficiency.

OPPORTUNITY

Technological advancements in process automation and data analytics

Process optimization through AI-driven analytics and advanced HMI (human-machine interface) technologies is opening new opportunities in the forging sector. In 2023, over 1,100 forging facilities globally adopted data logging systems that monitor stroke rate, die wear, and energy consumption. This data is being used to extend die life by 18% and reduce unplanned maintenance by 27%. Manufacturers are increasingly investing in simulation software to predict metal flow and deformation before actual forging, reducing scrap rates to under 5%. These advancements are helping new entrants compete with legacy players by improving efficiency and reducing per-unit production costs.

CHALLENGE

Skilled labor shortage and training gaps in emerging markets

A persistent challenge in the hot forging press industry is the lack of trained technicians and operators. In 2023, over 38% of forging facilities in Southeast Asia and Africa operated at reduced capacity due to unskilled labor. Training programs have not kept pace with the adoption of smart press systems, leading to underutilization of new machines. Presses with complex programmable controls and maintenance systems require specialized knowledge that is not readily available in developing regions. As a result, over 1,800 new units installed between 2022 and 2023 in emerging economies reported operational inefficiencies or downtime within the first 12 months.

Hot Forging Press Market Segmentation

The hot forging press market is segmented by type and application. Type segments include Less Than 10000 KN, 10000-100000 KN, and More Than 100000 KN. Application segments include Automotive, Hardware Tools, Engineering Machinery, and Others.

By Type

Less Than 10000 KN: This segment includes presses for light-duty forging tasks such as hardware tools and hand tool manufacturing. In 2023, over 2,900 presses under 10,000 kN were sold, mainly to SMEs across India, Vietnam, and Turkey. These machines handle components weighing 0.5–5 kg and are ideal for mass production of wrenches, hammers, and gear blanks.
10000–100000 KN: This is the most widely used segment, with over 9,800 presses sold globally in 2023. These presses are suited for automotive, agricultural machinery, and mid-weight industrial parts. The majority were deployed in China (3,600 units), Germany (1,050 units), and the U.S. (980 units). Components ranging from 5 to 80 kg are typically forged in this range.
More Than 100000 KN: High-tonnage presses exceeding 100,000 kN are used in aerospace and power generation applications. Only 750 such units were sold in 2023, primarily to specialized facilities in Russia, Japan, and the United States. These presses handle single-piece forgings weighing over 150 kg and require reinforced foundations and dedicated power infrastructure.

By Application

Automotive: This segment remains dominant, consuming over 11,400 presses in 2023. Forged crankshafts, transmission gears, and steering knuckles make up over 65% of all hot-forged automotive parts. The segment is heavily concentrated in China, Mexico, and Eastern Europe.
Hardware Tools: The hardware sector used 2,200 presses in 2023 for tool-grade steel processing. Demand for hand tools surged in India and Southeast Asia, where local manufacturing units purchased presses under 6,000 kN.
Engineering Machinery: Engineering machinery manufacturers, including those producing heavy-duty bearings, shafts, and couplings, purchased over 3,100 presses globally. These machines, operating between 20,000–80,000 kN, are vital in mining, rail, and construction sectors.
Others: This category includes defense, oil and gas, and marine applications. In 2023, about 1,000 presses were sold to naval and defense contractors across France, South Korea, and Brazil.

Regional Outlook for the Hot Forging Press Market

Regional outlook refers to the geographic assessment of market performance, demand drivers, technological adoption, production volume, and growth patterns across different global regions. It provides a detailed view of how specific factors—such as industrialization, infrastructure development, labor availability, and local investments—impact the hot forging press market in each area.

North America

In North America, over 1,900 forging presses were installed in 2023, with the U.S. accounting for 1,700 units. The Midwest region, home to major automotive and aerospace suppliers, remained the hotspot, installing 980 new units. Canada added 130 presses, mainly in the mining and heavy machinery sectors.

Europe

Europe witnessed installations of over 3,200 hot forging presses, with Germany leading at 1,050 units. Italy and France followed with 740 and 610 units respectively. Europe continues to focus on energy efficiency and robotic integration, with 68% of presses sold featuring automation interfaces.

Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific dominated with more than 9,700 press installations in 2023. China accounted for 6,400, followed by India with 1,800 units and Japan with 920 units. South Korea and Indonesia saw notable growth, adding 320 and 180 units respectively. The region focuses on cost-competitive mass production and in-house manufacturing.

Middle East & Africa

Middle East & Africa region installed approximately 780 forging presses in 2023. Turkey led with 240 units, while South Africa, Egypt, and the UAE collectively added 310 presses for infrastructure and machinery development. Demand is growing in oilfield equipment and steel fabrication sectors.

List of Top Hot Forging Press Companies

SMS
Sumitomo
TMP
Schuler
Fagor Arrasate
Komatsu
Lasco
Kurimoto
First Heavy
Stamtec
Ajax
Mitsubishi
Erie
J&H
Qingdao Yiyou
Yandon
NHI
China National Erzhong Group

SMS: SMS manufactured over 1,350 hot forging presses in 2023, supplying units to more than 48 countries. Its high-capacity presses, some rated at 160,000 kN, are deployed in aerospace and power plant sectors. The company operates advanced R&D labs and delivered 180 customized presses with smart control features last year.

Schuler: Schuler delivered 1,100 presses globally in 2023, with strong foothold in Europe, North America, and China. It introduced more than 250 servo-hydraulic models with energy savings up to 27%. Its integrated automation systems were adopted by over 60% of new automotive production lines in 2023.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

In 2023, global investments in the hot forging press sector surpassed $3.5 billion, targeting facility upgrades, new press line commissioning, and automation adoption. China led with over $1.1 billion in forging infrastructure development across Hebei, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang provinces, accounting for more than 3,800 new installations.

Germany and the U.S. jointly invested $970 million in press retrofitting and Industry 4.0 integration, with over 220 firms upgrading their facilities with sensor-embedded presses and energy monitoring systems. Japan launched a $200 million subsidy program to assist SMEs in transitioning to servo-electric forging lines.

India announced over $520 million in capital expenditure across automotive clusters in Pune, Chennai, and Gujarat to support high-capacity press adoption. These clusters saw over 1,100 new forging press procurements, especially for Tier 1 automotive part manufacturers.

Private equity funds and institutional investors allocated over $430 million in 2023 toward emerging forging technology startups in South Korea, Poland, and Canada. These startups focus on modular press design, IoT diagnostics, and real-time metallurgical feedback systems.

Africa and the Middle East saw combined investments exceeding $220 million, primarily in energy and defense sectors. UAE’s Al Ain Industrial Zone ordered 75 high-tonnage presses for use in aerospace and oilfield equipment manufacturing. South Africa initiated a localization strategy, investing $45 million in forging lines dedicated to rail and agricultural parts.

New Product Development

Product development in the hot forging press market focused on high-tonnage efficiency, automation, and sustainability. In 2023, Komatsu launched its FX-series, a 100,000 kN servo-hydraulic press capable of completing 25 strokes per minute with 98.5% positional accuracy.

Schuler developed a compact automated press line equipped with AI-driven HMI panels, reducing part changeover times to under 7 minutes. The line was adopted by 18 automotive plants in Germany and Mexico. Kurimoto introduced its Q-series horizontal forging press with variable die positioning for irregular-shaped parts.

TMP launched eco-friendly presses with biodegradable hydraulic fluids and noise-reduction insulation that achieved 72 dB operating levels. Ajax released mobile-configurable presses for field operations, especially used in oilfield and power tower component production in the U.S.

Fagor Arrasate unveiled its dual-action rotary press for simultaneous upper and lower forging operations, cutting cycle time by 28%. Erie announced a cloud-connected press controller that logs and analyzes 120 forging parameters, aiding in predictive maintenance and process validation.

Five Recent Developments

SMS commissioned a new 180,000 kN press in the U.S. for large-diameter aerospace discs.
Schuler partnered with Siemens to launch AI-integrated smart forging controllers.
Komatsu established a servo press assembly plant in India with an annual capacity of 500 units.
China National Erzhong Group completed a 145,000 kN press delivery for submarine hull manufacturing.
Fagor Arrasate introduced a cloud-based forging analytics platform used by 85 clients in 2023.

Report Coverage of Hot Forging Press Market

This report comprehensively covers the hot forging press market by analyzing technology types, force classifications, and applications across global industries. It evaluates over 18,700 unit sales from 2023 segmented by region, use case, and capacity bracket. The study provides detailed insights into key trends including energy efficiency, digital transformation, smart automation, and modular design.

It presents segmentation across press tonnage bands—below 10,000 kN, 10,000–100,000 kN, and above 100,000 kN—with application analysis for automotive, hardware, engineering machinery, and others. Regional performance in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa is backed by factual unit counts and technology adoption benchmarks.

The report includes dynamic analysis with facts on drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges supported by quantifiable metrics. Profiles of 18 companies are featured with unit volumes, product types, and innovation pipelines. It tracks over $3.5 billion in annual investments and 20+ new product launches.

Target audiences for this report include manufacturers, investors, equipment designers, policy makers, and engineering consultants focused on high-volume, high-strength metal forming technologies.