Brass Aluminum Forging Enterprises

What Brass Aluminum Forging Enterprises does

Brass Aluminum Forging Enterprises (BAFE, d/b/a BA Forging) is a family-owned, U.S.-based custom metal forging manufacturer founded in 1934 and headquartered at 965 Wanda Street, Ferndale, Michigan. The company produces impression-die (closed-die) hot forgings in aluminum, brass, copper, and bronze alloys, with parts up to 10 pounds forged on 1000–2750 ton presses (with 4000+ ton capacity in development), holding precision tolerances of ±0.010" for forging and ±0.001" for machining. Its core technology stack pairs proprietary forging and heat-treatment processes (T-4/T-6/T-61/T-73 tempers with alternative quenchant solutions) with Transvalor forge-simulation software for die-design optimization and SolidWorks for engineering, supported by in-house CNC machining, tool-and-die making, surface finishing, and NDT inspection (liquid dye penetrant, CMM, blue-light laser scanning, hardness, and metallurgical testing).

BAFE operates a fully integrated forge-to-finish production model under one roof, eliminating multi-vendor coordination and delivering finished components in weeks rather than months, with detailed quotes returned within 48 business hours. Its customer base is concentrated in four enterprise verticals: Tier 1 automotive suppliers (suspension, transmission, safety-critical parts), defense contractors (ITAR-compliant weapon components), powersports OEMs (ATVs, UTVs, motorcycles, snowmobiles), and safety/industrial equipment manufacturers (fire suppression, marine fittings, emergency response). The company carries ISO 9001:2015, IATF 16949, ITAR/DoD-vetted, CQI-9, ASNT, and AS9100 certifications, enabling qualification across these regulated end markets.

The business model is B2B custom manufacturing rather than catalog or subscription: revenue is generated per order from engineering/design services, tooling, forging, heat treatment, CNC machining, finishing, and quality testing, with sales led by direct enterprise engagement initiated through the website's Request a Quote funnel. The firm is privately held and family-owned (transitioned in 1998 under CEO Jeff Denha), with no disclosed institutional investors, M&A activity, or public-market presence, and operates exclusively in the U.S. domestic market.

Name

Brass Aluminum Forging Enterprises

Legal name

Brass Aluminum Forging Enterprises

Website

https://baforging.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1934

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Brass Aluminum Forging Enterprises is a family-owned, Michigan-based custom closed-die forger of aluminum, brass, copper, and bronze components, serving Tier 1 automotive suppliers, defense contractors, powersports OEMs, and safety/industrial equipment manufacturers through an integrated forge-to-finish production model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Custom Metal Forging

NAICS

Nonferrous Forging (332112), Forging and Stamping (33211), Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities (3328)

SIC

Metal Forgings & Stampings (3460), Coating, Engraving & Allied Services (3470)

akta.pro primary industry

Aluminum Fabrication & Finishing (Machining, Anodizing, Coating) (IMAKACAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Aluminum Casting & Ingot/Billet/Slab Production (IMAKACAE), Electroplating & Metal Finishing (Anodizing/Galvanizing/Passivation) (IMAIAKAE)

Keywords

• Closed die forging
• Aluminum forgings
• Brass copper forgings
• Custom metal forging
• Heat treatment machining

Headquarters

HQ city

Ferndale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Metal Forging Manufacturing: Revenue is generated through custom closed-die forging of aluminum, brass, copper, and bronze components to customer specifications. The company handles the full lifecycle from design through finished product, with revenue derived from engineering services, tooling, forging, heat treatment, machining, and finishing. Primarily project- and order-based rather than recurring subscription.
2. Value-Added Services: Additional revenue streams from engineering and prototyping, forge simulation services, small-batch production, heat treatment, CNC machining, surface finishing (anodizing, shot blasting, powder coating), and quality testing and inspection services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Brass Aluminum Forging Enterprises manufactures custom closed-die (impression-die) hot forgings in aluminum, brass, copper, and bronze alloys for Tier 1 automotive suppliers, defense contractors, powersports OEMs, and safety equipment manufacturers. The company delivers a vertically integrated forge-to-finish solution under one roof spanning design and engineering, in-house tool and die making, forging (1000-2750 ton presses), heat treatment (T-4/T-6/T-61/T-73), precision CNC machining (±0.001"), surface finishing, and quality inspection (CMM, blue light laser scanning, dye penetrant, metallurgical lab), with ITAR-compliant domestic U.S. manufacturing and quotes returned within 48 business hours.

Product overview

Brass Aluminum Forging Enterprises (BAFE) is a forge-to-finish metal forging manufacturer offering a unified production platform centered on closed-die aluminum, brass, copper, and bronze forgings. The core product line includes custom aluminum forgings in 2000, 4000, 6000, and 7000 series alloys (up to 10 lbs), complemented by a full suite of integrated services: design and engineering with SolidWorks and Transvalor simulation, in-house tool and die making, heat treatment (T-4/T-6/T-61/T-73), precision CNC machining, surface finishing (anodizing, shot blasting, powder coating), and quality testing including DPI and CMM inspection. These modules operate as a vertically integrated single-source solution where raw material flows through design, forging, machining, and finishing under one roof, delivering finished components in weeks rather than months.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Aluminum Forgings Custom closed-die aluminum forgings produced in 2000, 4000, 6000, and 7000 series alloys, including 6061 and 7075. Parts are forged up to 10 lbs each on presses ranging from 1000 to 2750 tons (with 4000+ ton capacity coming) at forging tolerances of ±0.010". Target customers are Tier 1 automotive suppliers, defense contractors, powersports OEMs, and safety equipment manufacturers needing lightweight, high-strength components for high-stakes applications.
• Brass and Copper Forgings Custom closed-die forgings in brass, copper, and bronze alloys for valve bodies, fittings, marine hardware, and specialized industrial applications where corrosion resistance and conductivity are required. Produced on the same 1000-2750 ton press platform used for aluminum work and delivered as part of BAFE's forge-to-finish service.
• Heat Treatment Services In-house solution heat treatment covering T-4, T-6, T-61, T-73, and custom tempers, including proprietary alternative quenchant solutions, solution heat treatment, quenching, and artificial aging. Performed to ASTM standards with hardness testing to validate proper heat treatment for automotive, defense, and industrial parts.
• Precision CNC Machining CNC machining of near-net-shape forgings to final tolerances of ±0.001", including threads, holes, and intricate surfaces, supported by in-house machining fixtures and integrated into the forge-to-finish workflow.
• Surface Finishing Services Value-added finishing services including shot blasting, vibratory cleaning, polishing, anodizing, and powder coating to deliver corrosion resistance, appearance, and durability on finished forged components.
• Design and Engineering Services Engineering partnership providing custom design solutions using SolidWorks, forging feasibility studies, die design, and project management to optimize part manufacturability before tooling investments are committed.
• Forging Simulation Services Process simulation using Transvalor software to analyze metal flow, stress, strain, and temperature changes during forging. Predicts laps, folds, incomplete fills, and grain flow before dies are cut, reducing development time and tooling cost.
• Tool and Die Making In-house tooling and rapid prototyping including impression die design and manufacturing for forging, trim, pierce, and coining dies, plus die block selection and CNC machining of die cavities.
• Quality Testing and Inspection Comprehensive quality control covering liquid dye penetrant inspection (DPI), hardness testing, dimensional inspection with calipers, CMM, and blue light laser scanning, plus tensile testing and metallurgical lab services including microstructure analysis and grain size per ASTM E112.
• Prototyping and Small-Batch Production Prototype creation and small-batch production runs that enable design iteration and validation testing before committing to full-volume manufacturing.

Quantifiable outcome

• Forged components deliver higher tensile and yield strength than cast or machined alternatives
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Aluminum Precision Products: Custom aluminum forging and machining specialist serving aerospace, defense, and industrial customers. Direct peer in forged aluminum components with integrated machining and finishing—competes for similar programs and certifications (AS9100, NADCAP).
• Anchor Harvey Components: US aluminum and magnesium forging specialist serving aerospace, defense, and industrial markets. Closely comparable to BAFE in custom nonferrous closed-die forgings, including similar part sizes, alloys, and customer verticals.
• Scot Forge: US-based custom open-die and closed-die forging manufacturer serving aerospace, defense, power generation, and industrial markets. Direct competitor to BAFE in custom ferrous and nonferrous closed-die forgings, with comparable forge-to-finish capabilities and ITAR/AS9100 compliance.
• Ellwood Group (Forged Solutions): Operates closed-die forging facilities in the US serving aerospace, defense, oil & gas, and industrial markets. Direct competitor in custom nonferrous and steel forgings with integrated machining and heat treatment—comparable customer verticals and product overlap to BAFE.

Broad incumbents

• Finkl Steel: Integrated producer of forging die steels and custom open/closed-die forgings for aerospace, defense, energy, and industrial markets. While primarily a steel forger, it competes in adjacent forging capacity and shares defense/automotive customer overlap with BAFE.
• Weber Metals (Howmet Aerospace): Howmet Aerospace subsidiary specializing in large aluminum and titanium closed-die forgings for aerospace and defense. Direct competitor in large-tonnage aluminum forging where BAFE plans to compete with its 4000+ ton press expansion.
• Wyman-Gordon (Howmet Aerospace): Division of Howmet Aerospace, a major closed-die forging supplier primarily for aerospace and defense applications. Competes in the same closed-die, net-shape, near-net-shape forging space as BAFE but with substantially larger scale, more vertical integration, and broader aerospace portfolio.
• ATI (Allegheny Technologies): Large specialty materials and forged components producer serving aerospace, defense, and industrial markets. Overlaps with BAFE in nonferrous and titanium alloy forgings and offers significantly broader product range and global footprint.

Emerging players

• Impact Forging: Mid-sized US custom forging house serving automotive, industrial, and oil & gas markets. Comparable in scale and capabilities to BAFE in closed-die nonferrous forgings, though with a more industrial-heavy mix than defense/automotive.
• Trident Components: Custom aluminum forging and machining supplier serving automotive, powersports, and industrial OEMs. Comparable to BAFE in mid-volume, multi-vertical custom nonferrous forgings with integrated machining, though with a less developed defense book.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Brass Aluminum Forging Enterprises