Idra

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.

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

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

• High pressure die casting
• Die casting machines
• Gigacasting technology
• Light alloy foundry
• Automotive casting presses

Headquarters

HQ city

Travagliato

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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

Core 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

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• PREMA RacingcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 April 2026PREMA 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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundry 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 SolutionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSH 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)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPREMA 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 & AutomationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerG.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.
• NemakmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNemak 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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIdra 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)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner40-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 srlminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated 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)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIM 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

Direct 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

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/idragroup
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/idra-s.r.l.

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Idra