A process for the production of dish-shaped moldings or hollow bodies of thermoplastic material comprises the step of producing an at least approximately tubular preform by the extrusion of thermoplastic material. The preform is axially divided to form at least one single-layer web of material which is removed from the extrusion head by being engaged by means of a manipulator which spreads and/or straightens the web transversely with respect to the extrusion direction. The web is then transferred to a molding tool by a manipulator for it to be put into its final form in its first heat in the molding tool.