Gestamp Unveils World-First Hot Stamping Technology to Reduce Manufacturing Time at 'Automotive Engineering Exposition 2026 YOKOHAMA'

Gestamp, a multinational company headquartered in Spain, will present for the first time in the world its innovative patented new technologies, 'Ges-HighForm™' and 'Ges-FastForming™', which reduce the time required for hot stamping processes by up to 6-10 seconds, at the 'Automotive Engineering Exposition 2026' to be held in Yokohama. As part of its commitment to innovation and meeting the needs for vehicle lightweighting, Gestamp will also debut its brand-new chassis products, 'GES-BLADE' and 'Hybrid Alloy Twist Beam', in Japan at the exhibition. Gestamp, a multinational company specializing in the design, development, and manufacturing of high-performance metal automotive components, will exhibit at the 'Automotive Engineering Exposition 2026', an automotive industry trade show held in Yokohama from May 27 to 29. At the Gestamp booth, the company will announce the global launch of its new hot stamping technologies, 'Ges-HighForm™' and 'Ges-FastForming™', designed to increase production efficiency to record levels and improve the performance of finished parts. It will also introduce the latest technological innovations and developments in the automotive sector aimed at vehicle lightweighting, improved structural performance, and production process optimization. 'Ges-HighForm™' and 'Ges-FastForming™' are patented new technologies that bring revolutionary advancements to the hot stamping process. They enable high-precision and high-speed forming, significantly reducing the time required for the manufacturing process to 6-10 seconds. 'Ges-High-Form™' is based on a two-stage stamping process for structural parts, increasing the flexibility of heat treatment conditions by varying the cooling time between forming and trimming, and enabling support for more complex shapes. Furthermore, it can be introduced into Gestamp's standard hot stamping lines, contributing to a reduction in the overall process time. 'Ges-FastForming™' is designed exclusively for Gestamp's large component product line, 'Ges-GigaStamping®'. With a variable-cooling two-stage process, it enables efficient manufacturing through tandem press equipment and advanced temperature control. Furthermore, by adopting twin furnaces and a double-door ring press, it eliminates the need for laser cutting, achieving high-precision stamping while reducing the process time by up to 10 seconds. Through Gestamp's 'Laser Zero' strategy, 'Ges-HighForm™' and 'Ges-FastForming™' allow steel to be cut directly within the die, omitting the previously required post-processing steps, and simultaneously achieving processing time reduction and cost optimization. Furthermore, the cooling rate can now be adjusted flexibly, allowing for the use of new types of steel. These technological advancements are in line with Gestamp's goal of developing lightweight, safe, and efficient solutions to meet the challenges of new mobility, achieving lightweighting while maintaining safety requirements. Also, at the Gestamp booth, the company will display the side sill, the first part manufactured with this new hot stamping technology, developed in collaboration with a major Japanese automaker. This side sill is a critical structural part that enhances the vehicle's structural rigidity and protects the vehicle and occupants in the event of a collision. These innovative technologies embody Gestamp's corporate philosophy, 'safety above all'. Based on this philosophy, Gestamp contributes to the development and advancement of structural parts by utilizing optimal materials and technologies. From initial concept to material selection, every element is designed with the safety and comfort of the driver and passengers in mind. In addition to these technologies, Gestamp is further enhancing its presence as a global company leading technological innovation in the industry through innovative technologies not yet released in Japan. Furthermore, by developing its business based on its domestic engineering and manufacturing system, it will further strengthen its position as a long-term and reliable partner for Japanese automakers. Antonio Lopez, CEO of Gestamp's Asia division, stated: 'Automakers are facing one of the most severe industrial transformations in decades. Especially in the current market where electrification and vehicle platform transformation are progressing, improving production efficiency, flexibility, and speed are key factors for maintaining competitiveness.' Chassis using high-precision engineering: 'GES-BLADE' and 'Hybrid Alloy Twist Beam' At the Gestamp booth, the company will debut its 'GES-BLADE' and 'Hybrid Alloy Twist Beam' chassis, developed through the latest innovations to meet the demand for lightweighting, in Japan. 'GES-BLADE' is a groundbreaking chassis that integrates blade, bushing, and knuckle parts into a single stamped part made of high-strength steel using Advanced Tie Blade Knuckle parts. Through an advanced stamping process, it is possible to form approximately 70% of the final shape in a single process, realizing high functional integration. Furthermore, by integrating multiple parts, it has succeeded in reducing weight by up to 20-25% while maintaining structural strength and collision safety performance equivalent to conventional knuckles of the same size. The 'Hybrid Alloy Twist Beam' is an innovative rear axle that combines an open-section torsion beam with an internal closer bonded over the entire length. It allows for a significant reduction in the thickness of the base material, achieving a weight reduction of up to 4kg. These technological innovations enable the reduction of work time and processes. Gestamp will further strengthen its partnership with automakers that promote innovation by redesigning chassis structures optimal for compact and efficient vehicle platforms. It is also a product that meets the manufacturing needs of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV/PHV), and range-extended electric vehicles, which are the center of the Japanese domestic market. Innovation in welding technology with 'G-Weld™' At the Gestamp booth, the company will also introduce innovative new welding technologies that enable lightweight structures, improved part performance, reduced assembly time, and improved manufacturing efficiency and competitiveness. 'G-Weld™', developed for structural parts such as the large component product line 'Ges-Gigastamping®', is a high-speed laser lap blank joining and welding technology characterized by a G-shaped weld. Its unique shape improves the strength, precision, and reliability of the joint. 'G-Weld™' is suitable for welding high-strength steel and complex shapes, and achieves a welding speed up to 5 times faster than conventional joining methods. Also, ablation is no longer required, improving the quality of the joint and enabling efficient large-scale production. At the booth, the company will display a single-structure double-door ring manufactured using this technology, and introduce the production optimization of BIW (Body-in-White) parts through the combination of press hardening and G-Weld™. Advanced vehicle access technology from Edscha Gestamp At the Gestamp booth, Edscha Gestamp, a Gestamp group company, will exhibit its 2nd generation power slide door for the Japanese market. This is a smart door system that allows heavy doors to be moved easily and stopped safely at any required position through intelligent sensors and continuous operation. Commitment to sustainable industrial transformation At the Gestamp booth, sustainability and decarbonization are also introduced as key points. As part of its ESG roadmap from 2026 to 2030, Gestamp continues to promote circular economy and emission reduction initiatives at all global locations, including Japan. Gestamp's factory in Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture, 'Gestamp Hot Stamping Japan', is also implementing various initiatives in line with this strategy. As part of this, it has introduced a new hot stamping line equipped with electric furnaces and on-site solar power generation panels, covering approximately 10-15% of the electricity consumed by the factory with solar power. Also, Gestamp promotes a circular economy model through the recycling of metal waste and scrap generated in the stamping process, aiming for a more sustainable world by reducing CO2 emissions. Gestamp in Japan Gestamp started its business in Japan in 2009 and began joint development with domestic manufacturers. In 2013, the first guest engineer was dispatched to the design department of a domestic OEM to engage in joint development. In 2017, it established an R&D center in Yaesu, Tokyo, where a team of Gestamp experts participated in the joint development of vehicles for Japanese automakers. The R&D center has grown into an important base for accelerating the speed of providing advanced technology to customers and fostering good relationships of co-creation and joint development. Currently, it has over 20 staff and engineers stationed at the headquarters and customer sites. Equipped with functions such as virtual crash tests and advanced hot stamping process simulations, it is working daily on cutting-edge development to provide the highest level of BIW (Body-in-White) parts and chassis parts. Also, in 2018, it opened a factory equipped with a state-of-the-art hot stamping line in Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture, and has been expanding its business while strengthening its business base in Japan. Through the expansion of production capacity, it has become possible to meet new customer needs for lightweighting and safety improvement through the next-generation hot stamping line, which is the core technology for manufacturing lightweight and safe body structural parts. The factory has introduced a production line that combines large presses and environmentally friendly electric furnaces, realizing the production of larger and more functionally integrated parts that contribute to the reduction of vehicle weight and energy consumption without compromising safety. Currently, Gestamp's R&D team is already developing technical solutions for next-generation vehicle architecture, and is working on the development and manufacturing of new parts with safety and lightweight design as the top priority. To achieve this, it conducts joint development with major domestic and international OEMs to provide optimal solutions for realizing vehicles that are cost-effective, highly sustainable, and have improved performance, supporting each company's transition to next-generation mobility. About Gestamp Gestamp is a multinational company specializing in the design, development, and manufacturing of high-performance metal parts for major automakers. It develops innovative products to manufacture lighter and safer vehicles, contributing to the reduction of energy consumption and environmental impact. The product lineup ranges from BIW (Body-in-White) to chassis and functional parts, with a wide range of products. It has bases in 24 countries, 115 production factories (including 5 under construction), 13 R&D centers, and over 42,000 employees worldwide. Sales in 2025 were 11.349 billion euros. Gestamp is listed on the Spanish Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: GEST).