An efficient and effective process for manufacturing of hardened aluminum components is achieved by coordinating the material preparation steps with the forming steps. The resulting product is a hardened aluminum component with desirable strength characteristics. The process includes initial heating of sheet material in order to prepare it for further processing. The sheet material is then quenched to promote appropriate material conditioning. A product forming sub-process is then undertaken in a relatively short period of time following the quenching. The product forming is done while the material is in a relatively ductile condition, thus easing forming operations, and avoiding product spring-back problems. Lastly, the component is naturally aged, to provide the final hardening operations. The resulting product has very desirable strength characteristics, due to the combined forming and hardening process.