Idra Group

Idra Group is an Italian industrial machinery manufacturer based in Brescia, specializing in high-pressure die-casting equipment and related automation systems. Its products are used to inject molten non-ferrous metals into molds to produce structural, automotive, motor, and other industrial components. The company operates in a highly specialized segment of manufacturing equipment rather than selling finished consumer products, and its customers are primarily industrial manufacturers and component producers. The company was established in Brescia in the mid-1940s by Adamo Pasotti, with historical accounts placing its origins in either 1944 or 1946. Its original plant stood on Via Triumplina, where the business developed its early production capabilities. During the 1950s, Idra began pursuing export opportunities beyond Italy, marking an early transition from a local machinery producer toward an international equipment supplier. By the early 1970s, its OL-1200 S machine was being used to cast motor components weighing approximately seven kilograms for Porsche vehicles, illustrating the company's involvement in demanding automotive applications. Idra's historical product portfolio has included high-pressure die-casting machines, large-capacity presses, and automation equipment for handling, extraction, trimming, and other steps surrounding the casting process. The company is particularly associated with very large die-casting machines, including equipment designed for the production of major structural castings. Its OL series is one of the identifiable machine families in the company's history. Idra also filed a patent application in 2000 for a machine capable of producing two separate castings from one injection of liquid metal, reflecting its emphasis on improving productivity and process efficiency. Ownership changed materially during the 2000s and 2010s. In 2006, Intesa Sanpaolo held a minority interest while LK Machinery acquired the majority stake. LK Machinery subsequently acquired the remaining shares in 2016, making Idra part of the LK Machinery group. The company remained a private enterprise rather than a separately listed public issuer. A reported 2015 snapshot described a workforce of 161 employees, turnover of €87 million, and profit of €3 million; these figures are historical and should not be treated as current financial results. Idra's technology became increasingly associated with very large-scale casting systems. In August 2020, the first Giga Press installed at a United States electric-vehicle manufacturer customer produced castings. The installation represented the growing use of large die-casting presses to consolidate multiple vehicle components into fewer large structural parts, a manufacturing approach that can reduce assembly complexity. The company has consequently occupied a visible position in discussions of automotive mega-casting and the equipment required to support it. In March 2024, Riccardo Ferrario retired as Idra's general manager and John Stokes took over the role. In 2025, Idra also gained visibility through sponsorship of Prema Racing, beginning with the Indianapolis 500 program. The Idra-sponsored car driven by Robert Shwartzman secured pole position in qualifying for the 2025 Indianapolis 500. The sponsorship connected the industrial brand with motorsport while retaining a link to automotive engineering and performance. Idra's present identity is therefore that of a specialized, internationally oriented capital-goods manufacturer. Its core proposition is the design and supply of high-pressure die-casting machinery and automation for customers seeking high output, repeatability, and increasingly large structural castings. Publicly available reference material provides limited detail about its current geographic footprint, product catalog, and financial performance, so those aspects should be verified against current company disclosures.

Idra Group, originally known as Idra Presse S.p.A. and now legally associated with Idra S.r.l., is a die-casting machinery company founded in Brescia, Italy, in the mid-1940s. The company is generally dated to 1946, although historical material also gives 1944 as a possible founding year. Adamo Pasotti is identified as its founder. The original factory was located on Via Triumplina in northern Brescia. During its first decade, Idra developed manufacturing capabilities for die-casting equipment and began looking beyond the Italian market. By 1956, the company was seeking to export its machines internationally. This export orientation became an important part of its later identity, as high-pressure die-casting equipment is typically sold to industrial customers across multiple manufacturing regions rather than to a single domestic market. Idra's equipment was used in automotive production by the early 1970s. An Idra OL-1200 S machine was reported to be producing motor components weighing about seven kilograms for Porsche cars. This example placed the company within the supply chain for demanding automotive applications and demonstrated the ability of its presses to handle substantial component sizes. The company also had a connection to the social and political tensions of 1970s Brescia. Following the Piazza della Loggia bombing on 28 May 1974, Idra workers organized a fifteen-day strike and maintained a picket line outside the factory. This was a labor response to a major event in the surrounding city and should not be interpreted as evidence of corporate misconduct by Idra. The historical record also notes that Giovanni Maifredi worked at Idra as a warehouse worker during the period. In 2000, Idra filed a patent application for a die-casting machine intended to produce two separate castings from a single injection of liquid metal. The development reflected an effort to improve throughput and make more efficient use of the injection process. The company later became associated with exceptionally large high-pressure die-casting machines, including systems designed for major structural automotive components. Ownership evolved during the 2000s. In 2006, Intesa Sanpaolo held 30 percent of the company, while LK Machinery acquired 70 percent of the remaining shares. LK Machinery later purchased the outstanding shares in 2016, bringing Idra fully under its ownership. A 2015 company snapshot recorded 161 employees, €87 million in turnover, and €3 million in profit. These figures describe that historical year only and do not establish current performance. The original Via Triumplina factory site was subsequently redeveloped as the Triumplina Retail Park, with new roundabout junctions constructed as part of the redevelopment. This marked the physical transition away from Idra's original Brescia premises, although the city remained the company's historical base. Idra's large-machine strategy gained particular visibility in the electric-vehicle manufacturing era. On 20 August 2020, the first Giga Press installed at a United States electric-car-only manufacturer customer produced castings. Large die-casting presses can allow manufacturers to produce major structural parts in fewer pieces, potentially reducing joining and assembly operations. Idra's role has therefore been connected with the industrial equipment behind automotive mega-casting. In March 2024, general manager Riccardo Ferrario retired and John Stokes took over the position. In 2025, Idra extended its public profile through sponsorship of Prema Racing at the Indianapolis 500. The Idra-sponsored car driven by Robert Shwartzman achieved pole position in qualifying. The available public material does not fully document Idra's current product range, facilities, workforce, or financial condition, so those details require confirmation from current company sources.

1. 2025Prema Racing sponsorship

   Idra sponsored Prema Racing beginning with the 2025 Indianapolis 500 program; Robert Shwartzman took pole position in the Idra-sponsored car.

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2. 2024General manager transition

   Riccardo Ferrario retired as general manager and John Stokes assumed the position.

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3. 2020First reported Giga Press production at a U.S. customer

   On 20 August 2020, the first Giga Press installed at a United States electric-car-only manufacturer customer produced castings.

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4. 2016LK Machinery acquired the remaining shares

   LK Machinery acquired the rest of Idra's outstanding shares.

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5. 2006LK Machinery acquired a controlling interest

   LK Machinery acquired a 70 percent interest while Intesa Sanpaolo retained a 30 percent stake.

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6. 2000Patent application for dual-casting production

   Idra filed a patent application for a machine designed to make two separate castings from a single injection of liquid metal.

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7. 1971OL-1200 S used for Porsche motor components

   An Idra OL-1200 S machine was reported to be casting approximately seven-kilogram motor components for Porsche vehicles.

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8. 1956Early export expansion

   Idra was seeking to export its die-casting machines outside Italy.

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9. 1946Company founded in Brescia

   Adamo Pasotti founded the company in Brescia; some historical accounts place the origin in 1944 rather than 1946.

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A specialized Italian supplier of high-pressure die-casting technology, emphasizing large machine capacity, automotive applications, process automation, and production efficiency.

• OL seriesHigh-pressure die-casting machines

  The OL series is a historically identified family of Idra die-casting machines. An OL-1200 S machine was reported in the early 1970s to be producing motor components for Porsche, demonstrating the series' use in automotive manufacturing. The available references do not provide a complete current specification sheet or model list.

• Giga PressLarge-scale high-pressure die-casting systems

  Idra's Giga Press systems are very large high-pressure die-casting machines associated with the production of major structural castings. The technology is relevant to automotive manufacturers seeking to consolidate several parts into larger castings and reduce assembly operations. The first reported installation at a United States electric-car-only manufacturer customer produced castings in August 2020.

• Die-casting automation systemsIndustrial automation

  Idra supplies automation associated with die-casting production, including equipment used for handling, extraction, and integration of casting operations. Such systems are intended to connect the press with surrounding production steps and support repeatable industrial output. Public reference material does not identify a complete standardized catalog of automation products.

• 2025Prema Racing Indianapolis 500 sponsorship

  United States · International motorsport audience

  Idra sponsored Prema Racing beginning with the team's 2025 Indianapolis 500 participation. The activity connected the industrial machinery brand with automotive competition and engineering performance.

  Outcome. The Idra-sponsored car driven by Robert Shwartzman secured pole position in qualifying for the 2025 Indianapolis 500.

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• 2024General management successionStrategy

  Riccardo Ferrario retired from the general manager role in March 2024.

  What changed. John Stokes succeeded Ferrario as general manager.

  Aftermath. The change represented a leadership transition during Idra's continued focus on large die-casting and automotive manufacturing equipment.

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• 2016Full acquisition by LK MachineryM&A

  LK Machinery already held the majority of Idra after a 2006 transaction, while Intesa Sanpaolo held a minority stake.

  What changed. LK Machinery acquired the remaining outstanding shares and became Idra's full owner.

  Aftermath. Idra continued as a privately held company within LK Machinery rather than operating as a separately listed public issuer.

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• 2000Patent filing for producing two castings from one injectionOther

  Idra pursued a process design intended to increase die-casting productivity by using one injection of liquid metal to produce two separate castings.

  What changed. The company filed a patent application covering the dual-casting machine concept.

  Aftermath. The filing is evidence of Idra's focus on process efficiency, although the available reference does not document the patent's later commercial outcome.

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• 2025Idra sponsors Prema Racing for the 2025 Indianapolis 500

  Idra provided sponsorship to Prema Racing for its 2025 Indianapolis 500 program. The Idra-sponsored car driven by Robert Shwartzman took pole position in qualifying.

  Campaign
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• 2024John Stokes succeeds Riccardo Ferrario as Idra general manager

  Riccardo Ferrario retired from the general manager position in March 2024, and John Stokes assumed the role.

  Leadership change
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1. Idra Group
2. Idra Group official website