Frech

What Frech does

Frech (Oskar Frech GmbH + Co. KG) is a family-owned German manufacturer of die-casting machines and complete die-casting cells, founded by Oskar Frech in 1949 in Schorndorf, Baden-Württemberg, and now led by managing directors Dr.-Ing. Thomas Franco and Dr.-Ing. Alexander Marks under the FRECH Group parent entity. The company operates twenty wholly-owned subsidiaries and service centers spanning Germany, Europe, Asia (including Shanghai manufacturing and Singapore regional headquarters), India, Mexico, and the United States, with approximately 800 employees worldwide.

Its core product platform covers two die-casting machine families: the W-Series hot chamber machines (90kN-6,500kN) for zinc, magnesium, and aluminum work, and the K-Series cold chamber machines (3,800kN-48,000kN) for aluminum and magnesium applications, supplemented by tooling engineering, automation systems (via subsidiary ROBAMAT), industrial furnaces (via MELTEC), control-system retrofits (DATALOGIC 4), training (castFEX), and digital analytics (insightfabrix). Technical differentiation centers on a patented mechanical 3-plate closing unit delivering a claimed 99.9% machine availability, the next-generation GDKnext cold chamber architecture unveiled in March 2025, semi-autonomous operator assistance systems on hot chamber machines, and the FRECH Remote Service platform for remote hydraulic and sensor diagnostics.

Revenue mechanics combine one-time capital equipment sales with recurring after-sales service, spare parts, overhauls, repairs, retrofits, training, and second-hand machine sales (via lagermaschinen.de). Go-to-market is direct enterprise field sales through the wholly-owned subsidiary network, supported by the Velbert service and sales center in North Rhine-Westphalia for the German Mittelstand customer base. The customer base is horizontal: industrial manufacturers of die-cast components serving automotive, electronics, consumer goods, and industrial equipment end-markets. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. The company is ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 50001 certified and self-reports as a top SME employer in 2026.

Name

Frech

Legal name

Oskar Frech GmbH + Co. KG

Website

https://frech.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1949

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Frech (Oskar Frech GmbH + Co. KG) is a German family-owned manufacturer of W-Series hot chamber and K-Series cold chamber die-casting machines for zinc, magnesium, and aluminum, serving industrial manufacturers globally across twenty wholly-owned locations, supplemented by tooling, automation, service, and training.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Die Casting Machinery

NAICS

Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing (33351)

akta.pro primary industry

Metal Forming & Fabrication Machines (Presses, Bending, Shearing, Stamping) (IMAHADAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Tool & Die Making (EDAOAGAC)

Keywords

• Die casting machines
• Hot chamber diecasting
• Cold chamber diecasting
• Die casting tooling
• Industrial machinery manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Schorndorf

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices20 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Revenue model

1. Die Casting Machines (Hot & Cold Chamber): Sale of new die casting machines — hot chamber machines (W-Series, 90kN–6,500kN) and cold chamber machines (K-Series, 3,800kN–48,000kN). Machines range from compact precision systems to large-scale high-performance machines for zinc, magnesium, and aluminum die casting.
2. Tooling Technology and Engineering: Design, engineering, and supply of die casting tooling and tool technology as part of the complete die casting cell offering.
3. After-Sales Service, Spare Parts & Support: Comprehensive lifecycle service including spare parts, repairs, overhauls, retrofits, training, and preventative maintenance contracts. FRECH states it is the only company in the die casting industry delivering all services from within its own corporate group.
4. Second-hand / Reconditioned Machines: Sale of FRECH second-hand and refurbished die casting machines with proven quality, newly tested functionality and technology, including custom retrofitting services. Sold via online shop (lagermaschinen.de).
5. Training and Seminars: Training programs and seminars for machine and process technology (via castFEX GmbH & Co. KG), including a published seminar program (e.g., Seminar Program 2026).

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

FRECH manufactures and globally supplies hot chamber (W-Series, 90kN–6,500kN) and cold chamber (K-Series, 3,800kN–48,000kN) die casting machines for zinc, magnesium, and aluminum alloys, along with tooling technology and complete die casting cells. The company provides end-to-end lifecycle services — spare parts, overhauls, repairs, retrofits, second-hand/refurbished machines, training, and 24-hour remote support — delivered entirely through the in-house FRECH Group.

Product overview

FRECH is a leading manufacturer of diecasting machines offering two core machine series: the W-Series hot chamber machines (90kN to 6,500kN) for zinc, magnesium, and aluminum diecasting, and the K-Series cold chamber machines (3,800kN to 48,000kN) for aluminum and magnesium applications. The company provides comprehensive in-house services including spare parts, overhauls, repairs, second-hand machines, training, and remote service. FRECH also offers control system modernization solutions and exchange clamping parts. All services are delivered through the FRECH Group's own corporate structure, providing development, manufacturing, automation, and full-service capabilities from a single source.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• K-Series Cold Chamber Diecasting Machines Cold chamber diecasting machines with closing forces from 3,800 kN to 48,000 kN for aluminum and magnesium components, featuring patented mechanical 3-plate closing technology designed for maximum availability and resource-conserving operation. Sold to industrial manufacturers worldwide.
• W-Series Hot Chamber Diecasting Machines Hot chamber diecasting machines ranging from 90 kN to 6,500 kN for zinc, magnesium, and aluminum diecasting, equipped with modern assistance systems for semi-autonomous operation, high reproducibility, and maximum dynamics. Sold to industrial manufacturers.
• FRECH GDKnext Cold Chamber Machine Technology Next-generation cold chamber diecasting machine technology announced as a new era of machine technology, to be showcased at open house events at the FRECH plant in Plüderhausen. Targeted at industrial diecasting manufacturers.
• FRECH Spare Parts & Support Original spare and wear parts for FRECH diecasting machines with worldwide availability and rapid delivery through a globally established service network. Sold to existing FRECH machine customers.
• FRECH Overhauls General overhauls and modernization of drives and controls to extend the service life of FRECH diecasting machines and start new lifecycle cycles. Sold to existing FRECH customers.
• FRECH Repairs Comprehensive repair services for diecasting machines including crucible repair, injection cylinder restoration, and refurbishment of machine components. Sold to existing FRECH customers.
• FRECH Second-hand Machines Pre-owned FRECH diecasting machines and refurbished machines with proven quality, tested functionality, and customized cost-effective retrofitting services. Sold via the online shop lagermaschinen.de.
• FRECH Training Training and seminar programs for machine and process technology, including the annual Seminar Program 2026 offered through castFEX. Targeted at customers, operators, and industry professionals.
• FRECH Remote Service Secure remote maintenance capability allowing FRECH specialists to check hydraulic systems and controls, analyze pumps, sensors, or valves using modern analysis software. Sold to existing FRECH customers as part of the 24-hour worldwide service.
• FRECH Control System Modernization (DATALOGIC 4) Control system upgrade service allowing DATAMAT, DATAVARIO, and DATACONTROL controls to be retrofitted to the DATALOGIC 4 standard without additional operator training requirements. Sold to existing FRECH customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99.9% machine availability with mechanical 3-plate closing unit technology
• +1 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• MELTEC Industrieofenbau GmbHcoreTechnology or IntegrationMELTEC is an industrial furnace builder based in Vorchdorf, Austria. Part of the FRECH Group ecosystem, providing complementary industrial furnace technology for die casting cells and production lines.
• ROBAMAT Automatisierungstechnik GmbHcoreTechnology or IntegrationROBAMAT is an automation technology company based in Gmunden, Austria. Part of the FRECH Group ecosystem, providing automation solutions integrated into die casting cells.
• castFEX GmbH & Co. KGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnercastFEX is a training and seminar provider based in Winterbach, Germany, offering die casting technology education programs and the annual seminar program. FRECH Group ecosystem partner for knowledge transfer and professional development.
• VDS / SA Vacuum Diecasting ServiceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVacuum Diecasting Service based in Clarens, Switzerland. Service partner providing specialized vacuum die casting services for FRECH customers in the Swiss market.
• FRECH GroupcoreOthersFRECH Group is the parent organization. Oskar Frech GmbH + Co. KG is the core operating company within the FRECH Group, which provides development, manufacturing, automation, and comprehensive service in-house across all group entities.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Bühler Group: Swiss-based global manufacturer of die-casting equipment and complete die-casting cells. Bühler's Die Casting division is the most direct competitor to FRECH in cold-chamber and hot-chamber die-casting machines for aluminum and magnesium, serving the same automotive and industrial customer base.
• Idra Group: Italian manufacturer of cold-chamber die-casting machines with high clamping forces for automotive structural components. Idra is a direct competitor in the high-tonnage aluminum die-casting segment that FRECH targets with its K-Series and GDKnext machines.
• Italpresse Gauss: Italian manufacturer of die-casting machines and complete cells for aluminum, zinc, and magnesium. Italpresse Gauss competes directly with FRECH in both hot-chamber and cold-chamber die-casting equipment across Europe and global automotive customers.
• UBE Machinery: Japanese manufacturer of die-casting machines, particularly strong in cold-chamber aluminum die-casting for automotive applications. UBE is a direct competitor with comparable large-tonnage machine offerings and a global service footprint.
• Toshiba Machine (now Shibaura Machine): Japanese manufacturer of die-casting machines and injection molding equipment. Shibaura Machine competes directly with FRECH in cold-chamber die-casting machines for aluminum and magnesium, serving automotive and industrial customers globally.
• Colosio (Presse Colosio): Italian manufacturer of die-casting machines specializing in high-pressure die casting for nonferrous alloys. Colosio is a direct European competitor in cold-chamber and hot-chamber die-casting equipment serving similar industrial customer segments.

Emerging players

• Yizumi: Chinese manufacturer of die-casting machines and molding equipment that has rapidly expanded into mid- and high-tonnage aluminum die-casting. Yizumi competes with FRECH on price-sensitive global opportunities, particularly in Asia and emerging markets.

Broad incumbents

• ABB: Swiss-Swedish industrial conglomerate supplying automation, robotics, and digital solutions to manufacturing industries including die-casting cells. ABB is an adjacent incumbent whose automation and robotics offerings compete with or integrate into FRECH die-casting cells.
• Siemens: Global industrial conglomerate whose Digital Industries division supplies automation, drives, and controls used in die-casting machine systems. Siemens is a broad incumbent providing components that complement or compete with portions of FRECH's automation and control offerings.
• KUKA: German manufacturer of industrial robots and automated production systems widely integrated into die-casting cells. KUKA is a broad incumbent whose automation solutions are commonly paired with or compete against the robotic integration FRECH offers through its die-casting cells.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCykQWXqHR9XbmHpulqCI-qA

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Frech