The world of cold forming is undergoing a period of transformation. While 2023 was a year of solid growth – driven primarily by strong demand from the automotive sector – 2024 and the beginning of 2025 have brought new challenges. The automotive market, one of the primary users of cold-formed components, has faced a significant slowdown in both production and sales. This inevitably affected the demand for components destined for this industry.
However, the outlook for the future remains far from negative. According to forecasts, the cold forming technology market is expected to grow at an average annual rate (CAGR) of 5.7% through 2032 [Source: DataIntelo]. While the automotive sector will contribute less than initially expected to this growth, other industries are gaining ground, opening up new pathways and exciting opportunities.
Sectors and Opportunities
Automotive: a slowdown, but signs of promise
The automotive sector is going through a challenging time, with a drop in sales and production. However, not all news is bad: the market is gradually shifting toward electric and hybrid vehicles, which will require lighter, stronger and high-performance components. The production of cold-formed parts for engines and lightweight structures remains crucial to the vehicles of the future.
Military Defence: strength and strategic precision
In recent years, cold forming has taken on an increasingly strategic role in the military sector, thanks to its ability to preserve material integrity and produce complex parts with tight tolerances. This technology is now used to manufacture parts for light weapons, fastening systems for armoured vehicles, safety mechanisms and structural components for military equipment.
Energy and Heavy Industry: the impact of sustainability
Global attention to renewable energy is generating new opportunities for cold-formed components. From transmission systems for wind power plants to turbines for energy production, demand for strong, precision-made solutions is on the rise. This trend is expected to accelerate with growing investment in the energy transition.
Construction: building smarter, faster and greener
The construction industry is rapidly expanding, and cold forming is becoming the go-to manufacturing technology for builders, developers and engineers. It offers excellent strength-to-weight ratios, greater precision, improved sustainability, and resistance to fire, pests and seismic events.
Agriculture and Earthmoving: strength under pressure
Innovation in agricultural machinery, such as electric and automated tractors, is increasing demand for lightweight and durable components. In earthmoving equipment, cold forming is also ideal for producing high-strength structural components, such as pins and brackets, at low cost. However, the sector’s development is currently being slowed down by external factors such as a lack of incentives, US tariffs and geopolitical tensions, but with a more favourable environment, significant growth prospects could open up.
At Gi Di Meccanica, we follow these developments closely, always ready to innovate and embrace emerging opportunities.
The future of cold forming is in motion. And so are we.
