Company

Cotarko GmbH – Industrial excellence in forging and die casting technology

Cotarko GmbH is your specialized system supplier for high-precision metal components. Based in Cologne and a wholly owned subsidiary of Ford-Werke GmbH, we combine the power of a global corporation with the agility and expertise of a traditional manufacturing company.

Since our foundation in 1961, we have been constantly evolving to help shape the mobility of tomorrow – today as experts in drop forging, aluminum die casting and ready-to-install machining.

Experience our identity

Find out more about what drives us, how we work and what standards we are setting for the industry of tomorrow:

Values

Our commitment to quality and partnership.

TO VALUES

Certifications

Proven quality according to IATF 16949 and more.

CERTIFICATION DETAILS

Business areas

Focus on forging, die casting and engineering.

Sustainability

Our contribution to environmental protection and CO2 neutrality.

MORE ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY

Team

A skilled and motivated team is the key to success at our company. The approximately 220 employees from 13 different countries receive ongoing training and further education. We are proud to offer vocational training to young people in different professions within our company on a regular basis. This ensures that our team is always ideally placed to master the challenges posed by constant innovations.

Meeting the individual wishes of our customers is the goal we focus all our efforts on. As our top priority is the satisfaction of the companies that place their trust in us, we are always committed to achieving high product quality.

Strengths

Short development times
Strength in implementing projects
High flexibility and focus on customer needs
Innovation
Many years of experience in the international OEM segment and in medium-sized companies
Complete solutions from a single source

Quality

Certified quality and the latest testing technology far exceeding what is standard

Quality assurance exceeding the acknowledged standards is the advantage Cotarko offers its customers. In the high-tech forge in Cologne, monitoring processes are not confined to downstream inspections in the test room and laboratory. Instead, quality assurance is a supportive process that can be found in each phase of production.

Cotarko has reached a standard in testing technologies that far exceeds the customary industry scope. Hence the company may rightly describe itself as a pioneer. The advanced measuring technology which accompanies production at Cotarko and ensures its success in the interests of the customer includes:

Optical 3D measuring technology for spline milled products and turned shafts
Image processing technology for rotationally symmetrical forging blanks
3D coordinate measurement for self-monitoring in machining / in the semihot sector
100% automatic testing and straightening technology for spline milled products
Magna flux technology for 100% testing of wheel hubs
Eddy current testing for 100% crack control in processed wheel hubs
100% automatische Prüftechnik

History

Milestones from over 60 years of company history

The origins of our company date back to 1950, when the forge was put into operation in Hall G at Ford in Cologne This has been followed by over 60 years of company history, characterised by successes, innovations and expansions in products and services.

Technical highlights & milestones

1961:
Foundation of the Cologne site as a specialized forging plant.
1982:
Worldwide pioneering achievement with the commissioning of the first Hatebur AMP 70L press for impact extrusion parts.
1990:
Introduction of Smeral cross wedge rolling technology for the production-related manufacture of gear shafts.

2005:
Strategic expansion of the value chain through in-house mechanical processing (machining).
2021:
Massive investment in a state-of-the-art internal tool shop to increase agility.
2025:
Successful integration of the aluminum die casting division as a second strong pillar of production.