Abstract: A press with several press stations is provided for serially machining larger sheet metal parts. A transfer unit transports workpieces through the press stations which are arranged behind one another in the machining sequence. The transfer unit has a first section constructed as a three-axis transfer and a second section constructed as a cross-traverse transfer. The three-axis transfer has a pair of mutually parallel gripper rails with gripper devices which, by way of a lateral feeding movement of the gripper rails can be engaged with and disengaged from the workpieces. The cross-traverse transfer has a pair of mutually parallel transport rails which are connected with one another by cross-traverses provided with gripper devices for the workpieces. The cross-traverse transfer has parking positions between individual press stations in which the cross-traverses remain during the operation of the press stations.