Abstract: A transfer press for performing by means of a series of rams and dies, sequential operations on successive workpieces has a reciprocable transfer slide for conveying the workpieces through a series of locations at which the operations are performed, there being provided driven means, which, at or near the forward end of the travel of the slide, mechanically open the transfer slide workpiece engaging devices to release the workpieces as the workpieces are engaged between the corresponding ram tool and associated die and which, at or near the rearward end of the travel of the slide, enable the said devices to engage each of the workpieces, said driven means comprising elements driven from a main drive shaft and mounted on a frame part of the press and workpiece transfer device actuating means carried on the transfer slide and co-operating in readily separable manner with said elements on the frame part.