Idra
Idra is an Italian industrial machinery manufacturer, founded in 1946, that designs and builds high-pressure die casting machines for light alloys, including the world's largest Giga Press platform (up to 9,000 tons). It serves global automotive OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, motorsport, and aerospace via direct enterprise sales and five regional subsidiaries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1946
- HeadquartersTravagliato, Italy
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Idra does
Idra Group (IDRA S.r.l.) is an Italian industrial machinery manufacturer founded in 1946 by the Pasotti family, headquartered in Travagliato, Brescia. The company designs and builds high-pressure die casting (HPDC) machines for light alloys (aluminum and magnesium), marketed under four core platforms: NEO (high-end efficiency), OL CS (high-performance production), XPress (compact class), and Giga Press (the world's largest die casting presses, available in 5,500-, 6,200-, and 9,000-ton clamping-force variants). Giga Press is paired with the proprietary 5S Injection System, co-invented by Fiorenzo Dioni and Richard Oberle and awarded the European Inventor Award 2024 by the European Patent Office. Complementary technologies include SSR (Semi Solid Rheocasting), NoX high-vacuum die cavity technology, and the Inject Computer control platform.
The company's commercial model is direct enterprise sales of capital equipment to global automotive OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers, supported by five wholly-owned regional subsidiaries in Italy, the United States (Kokomo, IN), Mexico, Germany, and China. Revenue is generated primarily through hardware sales of HPDC machines, with a recurring after-sales stream covering original spare parts, refurbishment, retrofitting, remote teleservice, and the Idra Technical Center training programs. The Giga Press value proposition centers on replacing dozens of assembled vehicle components with single large aluminum castings — reducing complexity, scrap, and cycle time while improving EV range through lightweighting. As of 2026, Idra has sold 25 Giga Press machines worldwide and operates an installed base of 9,200 machines across 2,000+ customer locations in automotive, Tier-1 supply, motorsport, and aerospace end markets.
Idra firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Idra
- Legal name
- IDRA S.r.l.
- Website
- https://idragroup.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1946
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Idra is an Italian industrial machinery manufacturer, founded in 1946, that designs and builds high-pressure die casting machines for light alloys, including the world's largest Giga Press platform (up to 9,000 tons). It serves global automotive OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, motorsport, and aerospace via direct enterprise sales and five regional subsidiaries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Idra industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Die Casting Machinery
- NAICS
- Special Die and Tool, Die Set, Jig, and Fixture Manufacturing (333514)
- SIC
- Special Industry Machinery, Nec (3559)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Metal Forming & Fabrication Machines (Presses, Bending, Shearing, Stamping) (IMAHADAC)
Keywords
Where Idra is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Travagliato
- HQ country
- Italy
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices5 records
Markets served
Idra business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- HPDC Machine Sales: Sale of high-pressure die casting machines including NEO, OL CS, Giga Press, and XPress series. Machines range from standard mid-tones to ultra-large gigapresses (up to 9,000 ton clamping force). Sales are direct to automotive OEMs and tier-1 suppliers worldwide. Capital equipment sales represent the primary revenue stream.
- After-Sales Service, Spare Parts & Modernization: Comprehensive after-sale services including general refurbishment, retrofitting, original spare parts, remote support, and teleservice. Idra offers machine modernization programs (updating controls, drives) to extend machine lifecycle. Services provided through qualified technicians and official service dealers globally with 24-hour response capability.
- Training & Technical Services: Idra Technical Center offers training courses on products and process innovation, seminars, and product-specific technical training to customers. Contributes to customer retention and long-term partnership.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
Idra product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Idra designs and manufactures high-pressure die casting (HPDC) machines for light alloys such as aluminum and magnesium, operating from Travagliato (Brescia), Italy. The product range spans from compact presses (XPress) to the world's largest die casting machines, the Giga Press, available in 5,500, 6,200, and 9,000 ton clamping force variants. The company also provides after-sales services including refurbishment, spare parts, teleservice, and technical training for global automotive manufacturers and tier-1 suppliers.
Product overview
Idra Group is an Italian manufacturer of high-pressure die-casting (HPDC) machines founded in 1946. Their product portfolio centers on four main machine lines: NEO (high-end efficient machines), OL CS (high-performance machines), Giga Press (world's largest die-casting machines up to 9,000 tons), and XPress (compact solutions). The product line is complemented by the Inject Computer control system for machine parameter management, Industry 4.0 connectivity solutions, and comprehensive service offerings including training, refurbishment, spare parts, and remote teleservice. The company also operates the Foreco sustainability initiative and participates in the Foundry Star Alliance (FSA) to support the HPDC light alloy markets globally.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- FORECO: Forward thinking Eco Complimentary Commitment - IDRA's sustainability initiative focused on reducing environmental impact and promoting energy-efficient production in the die casting industry.
- Foundry Star Alliance (FSA)
- Giga Press
- XPress
- NEO
- OL CS
- Inject Computer
Products and services
- Giga Press The world's largest die casting machine, available in 5,500, 6,200, and 9,000 ton clamping force variants. Produces large structural automotive components in single shots, replacing dozens of individual parts with one or few castings for EV underbody and structural parts production. Sold to automotive OEMs.
- NEO Machine Series
Quantifiable outcome
- Three vehicles can be produced in the time it takes to make one vehicle using conventional die casting processes
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Idra
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Idra technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
Idra partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- PREMA RacingcorePREMA Racing and Idra Group renewed their partnership for the 2026 European rounds of the FIA Formula 2 and Formula 3 championships. Idra also sponsored PREMA for the 2025 Indy 500 where driver Robert Shwartzman won pole position. The partnership is described as a strategic alliance uniting two leaders driven by a shared passion for excellence, innovation, and engineering. Motorsport's demands for speed, reliability, and technological innovation mirror Idra's commitment to pushing die casting boundaries.
- Foundry Star Alliance (FSA)coreFoundry Star Alliance is an industry alliance created to support the very rapid growth of the global HPDC light alloy markets. Idra leads the FSA, collaborating with partners to develop energy-efficient production solutions, recover energy, reduce contamination, and sponsor R&D for secondary alloys. The FSA hosted the Advanced Light Metal Solutions Forum (2nd edition at Villa Baiana) and includes partners across the die casting supply chain for collaborative market development and new industrial collaborations.
- SH SolutionmajorSH Solution is Idra's partner in South Korea for the installation and support of the 9,000 ton Giga Press at Hyundai. SH Solution was instrumental in achieving the under-10-month delivery-to-production timeline for the first Giga Press 9000 at Hyundai South Korea. Represents Idra's regional collaboration model for large-scale machine installation.
- Robert Shwartzman (PREMA Racing Driver)minorPREMA Racing driver Robert Shwartzman achieved pole position at the 2025 Indy 500 under Idra Group sponsorship. The achievement was cited by Idra GM John Stokes as demonstrating what can be accomplished when winning teams collaborate.
- G.Engineering - Process Development & AutomationmajorG.Engineering co-presented the Supercar Seminar on The Revolution of Automotive Manufacturing alongside Idra Group. The event brought together leaders from prestigious supercar brands to showcase the 9,000 ton Giga Press with 5S Injection System as a groundbreaking technology for automotive manufacturing.
- NemakmajorNemak awarded Idra 'Preferred Supplier' status based on performance, business position, and strategic alignment. Nemak is a major automotive components manufacturer and represents a key customer relationship for Idra's die casting machines.
- Amafond (Associazione Italiana Fornitori Fonderie)coreIdra Group General Manager Riccardo Ferrario served as President of Amafond, the Italian Association of Foundry Suppliers with nearly 100 member companies and €1,350 million turnover. Amafond membership enables industry advocacy, standards development, and collaboration across the Italian foundry supply chain.
- LK (Longyu)major40-year partnership between Idra Group and LK (Longyu). Riccardo Ferrario helped LK Group founder and CEO celebrate 40 years of success in the foundry business. The partnership exemplifies Idra's long-term collaborative relationships in the global die casting industry.
- MECCANICA PI.ERRE srlminorCollaborated with Idra Group and AIM High Pressure Die Casting Technical Committee to host the Introductory Day of the AIM Master in Die Design. Event took place across Idra's Travagliato plant and Mecchanica PI.ERRE's Bedizzole facility, under Assofond patronage.
- AIM (High Pressure Die Casting Technical Committee)minorAIM organizes the Master in Die Design, with Idra hosting introductory day events at its facility. Represents Idra's engagement with academic and industry training programs.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Idra competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Bühler Group: Swiss multinational with a long-established die casting equipment business. Bühler is Idra's closest direct competitor in HPDC presses globally, serving overlapping automotive OEM and Tier-1 customers across Europe and Asia with comparable technology stacks.
- UBE Machinery Corporation: Japanese industrial machinery maker producing die casting machines as part of its broader industrial systems portfolio. Competes with Idra in Asia-Pacific HPDC markets, particularly serving Japanese and Korean automotive OEMs with comparable press technology.
- LK Group (LK Machinery): Chinese die casting machinery manufacturer with significant scale and a long-standing collaborative relationship with Idra (noted 40-year partnership). Primary competitive threat in Asia and a credible challenger in larger-tonnage press technology as Chinese equipment makers scale capability.
- Shibaura Machine: Japanese precision industrial machinery manufacturer (formerly Toshiba Machine) that produces die casting machines alongside injection molding and machine tools. A direct competitor to Idra in HPDC equipment serving global automotive customers with established presence in Asia.
- Italpresse: Italian manufacturer of high-pressure and gravity die casting machines, also based in the Brescia industrial cluster. Direct domestic competitor to Idra, sharing similar customers and competing on mid- and large-tonnage HPDC press lines for European automotive foundries.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Idra social profiles
Digital presenceIdra compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Idra financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Idra leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Idra subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Idra funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Idra M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Idra
What does Idra do?
Idra designs and manufactures high-pressure die casting (HPDC) machines for light alloys such as aluminum and magnesium, operating from Travagliato (Brescia), Italy. The product range spans from compact presses (XPress) to the world's largest die casting machines, the Giga Press, available in 5,500, 6,200, and 9,000 ton clamping force variants. The company also provides after-sales services including refurbishment, spare parts, teleservice, and technical training for global automotive manufacturers and tier-1 suppliers.
Is Idra a public or private company?
Idra is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Idra founded?
Idra was founded in 1946. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Idra based?
Idra is headquartered in Travagliato, Italy, in the Europe region.
How does Idra make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. HPDC Machine Sales are the primary driver. The others are after-Sales Service, Spare Parts & Modernization and training & Technical Services.
Who are Idra's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Bühler Group, UBE Machinery Corporation, LK Group (LK Machinery), Shibaura Machine and Italpresse.
Does Idra have an API?
No public API is recorded for Idra.
What industry is Idra in?
Idra's product category is Industrial Die Casting Machinery. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHADAC, Metal Forming & Fabrication Machines (Presses, Bending, Shearing, Stamping). Its NAICS code is 333514 and its SIC code is 3559.