Thailand Hydraulic Presses Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends and Forecast (2026 - 2031)

Thailand Hydraulic Presses Market Trends and Insights

EV Battery, Body, and Lightweight-Component Forming Investment

Battery enclosure forming and lightweight body-panel stamping are changing press specifications in the Eastern Economic Corridor. Battery cases require deep-drawn aluminum or high-strength steel enclosures. These parts use presses in the 500–2,000 ton range and require tighter parallelism than many earlier vehicle panels. The BOI reported 198 approved EV-related projects worth THB 137 billion (USD 4.35 billion) in May 2026, including THB 12.5 billion (USD 0.37 billion) for traction motors and power-control components across 49 projects. These projects support demand for body-shop, battery-enclosure, and structural-component presses. Precision hydraulic platforms can meet the parallelism and sustained-force requirements of battery-module production more consistently than some mid-range alternatives.

Automotive Supplier Re-tooling for xEV Production

The move from internal combustion vehicles to xEVs is driving retooling among Thailand’s Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers. Under the EV3.5 program, eligible automakers that previously imported electric vehicles must increase local production to 2 domestic vehicles for each imported unit in 2026. The requirement becomes more stringent in 2027 and directs more work to local component makers.^{[1]Thailand Board of Investment, “EV Board Approves Policy Refresh to Strengthen Thailand’s Electric Vehicle Ecosystem,” BOI Thailand, osos.boi.go.th} Mazda committed THB 5 billion (USD 0.16 billion) to upgrade Thai facilities for electrified compact SUV production in 2025. The Thailand hydraulic presses market, therefore, benefits when existing body shops need equipment for stronger steel grades, aluminum-intensive structures, greater die-cushion force, and closed-loop force control.

Automation, Robotics, and Connected Press Adoption

Thai manufacturers are pairing hydraulic presses with robot loading, sensors, and connected controls. The BOI approved more than THB 10 billion (USD 0.32 billion) of investment by 5 Chinese robotics companies for a humanoid robot component manufacturing base in the EEC in 2026. The proposed production includes robot frames, motion-control joints, and structural parts made from lightweight and high-strength materials. The National Competitiveness Enhancement Fund also approved 55 automation and digital upgrade projects worth THB 3.54 billion (USD 0.11 billion) for Thai small and medium-sized manufacturers. Connected hydraulic systems can help users schedule seal replacement and reduce unplanned downtime. Established suppliers with sensor-ready equipment and local service capability are better placed as buyers focus on operating costs and safety compliance.

Aerospace, Defense, and High-Precision Manufacturing Investment

Aerospace and defense programs are creating demand for more precise forming equipment. Thailand and Sweden signed a Gripen E/F Phase 1 procurement agreement worth THB 19.5 billion (USD 0.62 billion) in August 2025. The agreement included an offset package above THB 100 billion (USD 3.17 billion) for technology transfer and Thai airframe component manufacturing. Airbus also announced an expanded arrangement with Thai Aviation Industries covering in-country maintenance and structural support in September 2025. Components such as structural fittings, sleeves, and spherical bearings require controlled pressure, precise parallelism, and dwell capability. Qualification periods may last 18–36 months, which delays the conversion of committed capital into production demand.

High Capital Cost and Limited SME Financing for Large Press Systems

Large hydraulic systems remain difficult for smaller suppliers to finance. A 500-ton servo-hydraulic press with automation and connected controls requires USD 500,000–USD 2 million in capital. BOI Notification No. 5/2568, effective June 5, 2025, extended the corporate income tax exemption for qualifying SME machinery upgrades to 5 years at 100% of the eligible investment. Eligibility requires at least 51% Thai ownership, consolidated revenue below THB 500 million (USD 15.86 billion), and an eligible investment of at least THB 0.5 million (USD 15.9 thousand). Firms outside these conditions can face a higher replacement burden. The EEC Office also reported a shortage of 50,000 engineers and technicians, which makes capital spending less attractive for firms unable to staff advanced equipment.

Competition from Mechanical, Servo, and Electric Forming Technologies

Mechanical, servo-mechanical, and electric presses compete directly with hydraulic systems below 500 tons. ISO 6909:2026 recognizes hydraulic servo-drive, screw servo-drive, and belt-spring servo-drive press brakes as compliant production equipment. Thailand’s investment-promotion schedule supports servo-drive and energy-efficient press systems without providing a clear preference for hydraulic equipment. In electronics and battery-module assembly, sub-200-ton servo-electric systems can offer repeatable force profiles without hydraulic-fluid exposure. Hydraulic suppliers must therefore rely more heavily on deep drawing, hydroforming, high-tonnage forging, and other specialized applications. This shifts growth in the Thailand hydraulic presses market toward configurations that are harder to replace.

*Our forecasts treat driver/restraint impacts as directional, not additive. The impact forecasts reflect baseline growth, mix effects, and variable interactions.

Segment Analysis

By Frame / Structural Configuration: High-Volume Stamping Lifts C-Frame, Heavy-Duty Forming Moves Four-Post

C-Frame or gap-frame presses led the Thailand hydraulic presses market at 31.5% in 2025. Their compact footprint suits mid-volume automotive sub-assembly, electronics stamping, and Tier 2 workshops. Three-sided tool access also supports use in standard factory bays. H-frame, straight-side, and gib-guided equipment is selected where deflection must remain controlled during high-force blanking and deep drawing.

Four-Post or Four-Column presses are forecast to grow at a 7.9% CAGR from 2026 to 2031. Uniform platen pressure makes them suitable for large EV battery enclosures and composite parts. They also support carbon-fiber component forming for aerospace and motorsport supply chains. Greensky Power began construction of a USD 120 million BLDC motor facility in the EEC in June 2025. Rotor lamination forming and magnetic-material compaction can use this equipment. Certified guarding and controlled ram parallelism support procurement requirements in formal supply chains.

By Tonnage / Press Force: Mid-Range Dominates, Ultra-High Tonnage Accelerates on EV and Forging Demand

The 101–500 ton category held 34.5% of the Thailand hydraulic presses market share in 2025. This range matches common needs in automotive Tier 1 and Tier 2 stamping shops. It also supports electronics enclosure forming and general metal fabrication. Structural vehicle parts, door panels, and crossmembers use these specifications in transfer and progressive die operations. Presses up to 100 tons support maintenance, general fabrication, and lighter electronics work.

Presses above 2,000 tons are projected to expand at an 8.3% CAGR from 2026 to 2031. Battery-case deep drawing, structural aluminum die forging, and pressure-vessel forming are supporting this demand. ANDRITZ Schuler completed work to commission a 1,600-ton hydraulic press for a Rayong customer in July 2026. The installation indicates that heavy-tonnage demand is reaching the installed-base stage. Energy-reporting requirements are also encouraging larger facilities to consider servo-hydraulic drives with variable-frequency pump control.

By Application / Forming Process: Sheet Metal Forming Anchors the Market, Compression Molding Accelerates on EV and Composites Demand

Sheet metal forming and deep drawing accounted for 28% of the Thailand hydraulic presses market size in 2025. Automotive suppliers use these processes for door skins, body-in-white panels, chassis rails, and structural reinforcements. Forging is concentrated in higher-investment facilities that produce crankshafts, suspension knuckles, and powertrain components. Bending, straightening, punching, blanking, coining, assembly, and press fitting serve the wider small and medium-sized fabrication base.

Compression molding is forecast to grow at an 8.6% CAGR from 2026 to 2031. Glass-fiber-reinforced and carbon-fiber-reinforced polymers are increasingly used in EV body structures and battery enclosure lids. The BOI reported more than 180 PCB investment-promotion applications worth above THB 200 billion (USD 6.35 billion) from 2022 to mid-2025. Powder compaction and hydroforming remain specialized applications for titanium parts and high-strength-steel tubular structures. Wabash MPI and DORST Technologies offer dedicated equipment for compression molding and powder compaction.

By End-Use Industry: Automotive Commands the Largest Share, Electrical and Electronics is the Fastest Growing

Automotive and transportation held 42% of the Thailand hydraulic presses market in 2025. The position reflects the scale of installed forming capacity at Japanese-affiliated and Chinese OEM body shops. The sector employed more than 90,000 people directly. Thailand aims to produce 500,000 EVs annually by 2028 across EEC facilities. Registered xEV units reached 238,000 by September 2025 under the EV3 and EV3.5 programs.^{[2]International Institute for Trade and Development, “Global Supply Chains, How Thai Industry Is Adapting Under Geopolitical Pressure,” ITD Thailand, itd.or.th}

Electrical and electronics are projected to grow at a 7.5% CAGR from 2026 to 2031. PCB production and new robotics activity in the EEC are supporting purchases of precision-frame hydraulic and servo-hydraulic presses below 300 tons. The 5 Chinese robotics companies involved in the EEC cluster have BOI-approved investment above THB 10 billion (USD 0.31 billion). The NXPO identified a requirement for 226,423 high-skilled roles in smart electronics and industrial robotics from 2025 to 2029. Buyers also consider contamination control, RoHS requirements, ISO 9001, and IATF 16949 when specifying hydraulic equipment.

Geography Analysis

The Eastern Economic Corridor is the principal demand area for the Thailand hydraulic presses market. Chonburi, Rayong, and Chachoengsao host facilities operated by BYD, Great Wall Motor, Changan, and SAIC-MG. Their body shops and battery assembly lines use presses from 200–2,000 tons. The corridor received investment-promotion applications exceeding THB 2.6 trillion (USD 82.56 billion) from January 2023 to mid-2026. This represented 50% of national investment applications in the stated period. EEC Phase 2 commits THB 540 billion (USD 17.15 billion) over 5 years. The program includes THB 180 billion (USD 5.71 billion) for EV and battery manufacturing. The Thailand hydraulic presses market benefits from this concentration of factory investment.

Greater Bangkok and the Central region form the second-largest demand cluster. Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom, and Ayutthaya contain established Japanese-affiliated automotive supply chains. Many presses in this area are 10–25 years old. This creates replacement demand for energy, safety, and controls upgrades. Factories using more than 1,000 kW are designated factories that must report energy management to DEDE. EGAT and DEDE signed an agreement in March 2025 to integrate their machinery energy-efficiency labeling work.^{[3]Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, “DEDE and EGAT to Set National Energy Efficiency Label Standard,” EGAT, egat.co.th}

Northern Thailand has electronics and precision-component activity in Lamphun and Chiang Mai. These locations create demand for lightweight-frame presses below 200 tons. Southern and other regional zones have a smaller share of demand, linked to rubber processing and food-processing equipment fabrication. Regional BOI incentives can partly offset logistics and infrastructure constraints outside Bangkok and the EEC. Connected press systems and IIoT retrofits remain less established in these regions. Provincial service networks could support wider adoption in the Thailand hydraulic presses market over time.