GMH Gruppe’s Open-Die Forging Group will showcase its expanded capabilities for high-pressure die casting applications at Die Casting China 2026 in Shanghai, where Schmiedewerke Gröditz, Kind & Co and Buderus Edelstahl will present their combined expertise for the first time. As structural casting and giga-casting technologies continue to advance, die casting manufacturers face increasing demands for longer tool life, greater process stability, improved productivity, and reliable material performance. Through the collaboration of three specialized companies, customers gain access to an integrated value chain covering steel production, remelting, forging, heat treatment, machining, and technical application support.
Schmiedewerke Gröditz has established itself as a trusted supplier of industrial-scale standard and ESR-remelted die casting grades, as well as forged and semi-finished materials. The company provides customers with consistent material quality and extensive experience in supplying demanding applications across global markets.
Kind & Co contributes decades of expertise in premium and remelted tool steels for high-performance tooling applications. Its portfolio supports die casting manufacturers requiring materials with excellent resistance to heat checking, high toughness, and superior wear performance. The company also offers advanced vacuum heat treatment capabilities for large dies and moulds, helping customers achieve reliable tool performance and extended service life.
Buderus Edelstahl adds advanced machining expertise and production-ready solutions that support efficient manufacturing processes. By combining machining capabilities with metallurgical knowledge and application experience, the company helps customers reduce production complexity and optimize tooling performance.
The combined product portfolio includes high-quality standard 5% chromium molybdenum vanadium grades such as 1.2343 (H11) and 1.2344 (H13), available in both air-melted and ESR-remelted conditions. In addition, the companies provide performance-enhanced tool steel solutions designed to meet the increasingly demanding requirements of modern die casting operations.
Operating together within GMH Gruppe’s Open-Die Forging Group, Schmiedewerke Gröditz, Kind & Co. and Buderus Edelstahl combine complementary strengths in metallurgy, forging, heat treatment, machining, and application engineering. This integrated approach enables customers to benefit from coordinated manufacturing processes, reliable quality, and long-term supply security from a single source.
“China is one of the world’s most important markets for die casting and advanced manufacturing,” said Dr. Alexander Becker, CEO of GMH Gruppe. “By combining the strengths of Schmiedewerke Gröditz, Kind & Co. and Buderus Edelstahl, we can provide customers with a broader portfolio of high-quality tool steel solutions, technical expertise, and manufacturing capabilities. Our focus is on helping customers improve tool life, increase productivity, and achieve greater efficiency through reliable materials and integrated support.”
GMH Gruppe is a leading European steel manufacturer and a full-service supplier offering products from scrap-based steel production to ready-to-install components. As one of Europe’s largest privately owned metal-processing groups, it operates more than 20 steel, forging and casting facilities, serving customers in over 50 countries. The company employs around 6,000 people and generates annual revenues of approximately €2 billion.
Committed to sustainable manufacturing, GMH Gruppe is a pioneer in green steel production and a member of the German Association of Climate Protection Companies. By recycling metal scrap and using electric arc furnace technology at four production sites, the company reduces carbon dioxide emissions by up to 80 per cent compared with conventional blast furnace-based steelmaking. Its low-carbon steel solutions support customers in reducing their environmental footprint across industries including automotive, engineering, railways, energy, logistics, aerospace, agriculture and construction equipment.
