What Firth Rixson does

Firth Rixson is a Sheffield, United Kingdom-based producer of engineered metal components specializing in seamless rolled rings, closed die forgings, and open die forgings. It was founded in 1991 and operates as a for-profit, privately held business, with a global footprint that now extends through its corporate parent across approximately 13 countries including the UK, US, Germany, France, Czech Republic, Hungary, Netherlands, China, Japan, Australia, Canada, Mexico, and Morocco. Since 2013, Firth Rixson has been owned by Alcoa (subsequently by Arconic Inc. and now by Howmet Aerospace Inc., NYSE: HWM), and its capabilities are integrated with the parent's broader aerospace-engine and structural components portfolio.

Its product portfolio — conveyed through the Howmet Aerospace marketing umbrella — spans thermal barrier coatings, precision turbine engine blades and vanes, fastening systems, structural airframe components, and aluminum forged wheels (under the retained Alcoa Wheels sub-brand). These components serve three end markets: aerospace (the primary segment), defense and space, and commercial transportation. The underlying technology base rests on advanced metallurgical processes and manufacturing scale (forging, rolling, coating), with the business model structured around direct sales and long-term qualification-based supply relationships to global engine OEMs, airframers, defense primes, and commercial-vehicle OEMs.

The pricing model is not publicly disclosed and unit economics rely on engineered-specification components that command aerospace-grade premiums. Pricing is negotiated under multi-year programs with major OEMs, and the company's competitive position depends on certification status, metallurgical IP, and qualified presence on incumbent engine and airframe platforms. Company headcount is reported in the 1,001–5,000 range based on legacy Firth Rixson firmographic data; specific consolidated revenue is not disclosed in the source material.

Name

Firth Rixson

Legal name

Howmet Aerospace Inc.

Website

https://firthrixson.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Firth Rixson is a UK-based manufacturer of seamless rolled rings and closed/open die forgings for aerospace, defense, and commercial transportation customers, now operating within Howmet Aerospace. Its portfolio of metallurgical components serves global engine, airframe, defense, and commercial-vehicle programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Sheffield

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices13 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Core offering

Firth Rixson is a world-leading manufacturer of Seamless Rolled Rings, Closed Die Forgings, and Open Die Forgings. The company produces advanced engineered metal components used in aerospace, defense, space, and commercial transportation applications, operating as part of the Howmet Aerospace corporate structure with a global manufacturing footprint across 13 countries.

Product overview

Howmet Aerospace (parent of Firth Rixson) offers a platform of advanced engineered solutions for aerospace and commercial transportation industries. The portfolio includes thermal barrier coatings, precision engine components (blades and vanes), Alcoa Wheels for transportation, and fastening systems. These products work together to serve the aerospace sector from nose to tail applications, providing differentiated technologies for aircraft and sustainable travel solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Alcoa Wheels: Aluminum forged wheels providing lightweight solutions for commercial transportation

Products and services

• Seamless Rolled Rings World-leading supply of seamless rolled rings used as forged metal components in aerospace, defense, space, and commercial transportation applications.
• Closed Die Forgings Precision closed die forgings engineered for aerospace and commercial transportation applications, produced to demanding metallurgical specifications.
• Open Die Forgings Open die forgings produced for large-scale industrial and aerospace applications where custom forging geometry and material performance are required.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Scot Forge: US-based custom open-die and rolled-ring forging manufacturer serving aerospace, defense, power generation, and industrial markets. Directly comparable to Firth Rixson in core product capabilities and end-market exposure.
• FRISA Forjados: Mexican manufacturer of seamless rolled rings and open-die forgings serving aerospace and industrial markets. Highly comparable to Firth Rixson's core rolled-ring product line and aerospace customer base.
• Doncasters Group: UK-based precision engineering group producing aerospace forgings, castings, and fabricated components. Comparable to Firth Rixson in product offering, UK heritage, and aerospace OEM customer base.
• Aubert & Duval: French manufacturer of specialty steel forgings and high-performance alloys serving aerospace, defense, and energy markets. Directly comparable in forged product offering and European aerospace customer base.
• Ellwood Group: US-based specialty steel and iron manufacturer producing forgings and castings for aerospace, defense, oil & gas, and industrial customers. Comparable in specialty forged products and aerospace/defense end markets.
• Lehigh Heavy Forge: US-based specialty open-die forging manufacturer serving aerospace, defense, power generation, and industrial markets. Directly comparable in forged product capabilities and customer profile.

Broad incumbents

• Precision Castparts Corp: Berkshire Hathaway-owned major aerospace components manufacturer producing forgings, castings, and fasteners. Overlaps with Firth Rixson in aerospace forgings but operates a much broader product portfolio serving similar OEM customers.
• Allegheny Technologies (ATI): US-based specialty materials manufacturer producing nickel-based alloys, titanium, and forgings for aerospace and defense markets. Has a broader materials portfolio but overlapping aerospace forged-products business.
• Carpenter Technology: US-based specialty alloy manufacturer producing high-performance materials including forging-quality bar and billet for aerospace and medical applications. Operates upstream of Firth Rixson in the forging supply chain with related aerospace exposure.
• Bharat Forge: India-based global forging and metallurgical company serving automotive, aerospace, oil & gas, and industrial markets. Has broader end-market exposure but overlapping aerospace forging capabilities and global scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks3 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Firth-Rixson-128410923875073
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/firth-rixson

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A1 record

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Firth Rixson