This section provides an overview for gearbox as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 54 gearbox manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked gearbox companies as of November, 2024: 1.NEWSTART MOTION INDUSTRIES LTD., 2.Arrow Gear Co., 3.S.S. White Technologies Inc..
Table of Contents
A gearbox is the trannsmission in an automobile. There are two main types of gearboxes, called manual transmission (MT) and automatic transmission (AT), respectively.
In a car equipped with a manual transmission, the driver must manually change gears and operate the car. Thus, a car equipped with a manual transmission is called a manual transmission (MT) car or a manual car.
In contrast, a car equipped with an automatic transmission that automatically changes gears is called an automatic car. Currently, automatic transmissions are the mainstream in Japan, and it is said that 98% of all new cars registered in Japan have automatic trannsmission.
Gearboxes are used to transmit the driving force output from the engine to the tires. Gearbox can run a car more fuel-efficiently without putting a burden on the engine by shifting gears according to the speed of the car and the road conditions.
Specifically, when driving uphill, the gearbox is switched to a lower gear to reduce the rpm. This allows the car to climb hills with power.
On the other hand, when traveling on a flat road, the gearbox converts to a higher gear to allow the car to travel faster and smoother.
As mentioned above, there are two types of gearboxes: automatic transmission and manual transmission. Here, we explain the principles and characteristics of each.
Automobiles equipped with a manual transmission are equipped with a clutch pedal. The clutch pedal is used to change gears in a manual transmission vehicle. Specifically, by depressing the clutch pedal, the transmission between the engine and the gearbox is interrupted and the driving force of the engine is not transmitted to the gearbox. In this state, the gearshift is manually operated to change gears. Then, by releasing the clutch pedal again, the transmission between the engine and gearbox is restored, and power is transmitted from the engine to the wheels via the gearbox.
Automatic transmission vehicles are also equipped with shifting gears, but they do not have the clutch pedal provided in manual transmission vehicles. Automatic cars can automatically change gears by selecting the most appropriate gear for the speed, engine speed, and accelerator pedal. Automatic cars can change gears without having to use the clutch pedal to break the transmission between the engine and gearbox. Automatic cars have a device called a torque converter, which, instead of a clutch, transfers the engine's driving power to the gearbox.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Newstart Motion Industries Ltd. is a manufacturer of gearboxes and gearbox components established in 2006 and based in Sheridan, Wyoming, USA. The company’s products include planetary gearboxes for precision applications such as in the medical or aerospace industries, and planetary servo gearheads for automation engineering or mechanical engineering. It also offers strain wave reducers for CNC automation, and spiral bevel gearboxes for angular power transmission. The company mainly serves clients in industrial manufacturing, processing, and packaging operations.
Zero-Max, Inc. is a US-based manufacturer and supplier specializing in precision motion control solutions. Established in 1949, the company works delivering products to the industrial sector. The company offers a comprehensive range of couplings, torque limiters, and other motion control components that cater to various industries, including automotive, packaging, and robotics. With an aim to engineering excellence and a track record of performance, its products enhance motion control solutions, and since 2008 the company is certified in ISO 9001:2008.
S.S White Technology Inc., founded 1874, is a manufacturer of flexible shafts located in St. Petersburg, Florida. The company's product range includes standard flexible shafts, gear boxes, and flexible shafts with casings and fittings. It serves various industries, including medical, industrial, automotive, and aerospace industries. It has acquired multiple certifications, including ISO 9001, IATF 16949, and NADCAP accreditation for heat treating certifications. The company provides rotary power transmission solutions through research and quality-assured manufacturing.
Arrow Gear Co., founded in 1947 and headquartered in Downers Grove, Illinois, is a manufacturer of high-precision gears catering to aerospace and commercial industries. Its specialization lies in spiral bevel gears, and it also offers a comprehensive range of gearing solutions, including bevel gears, spur gears, helical gears, curvic couplings, and complete gearboxes. These products find applications across various machinery and equipment, facilitating power and motion transfer. The company holds several certifications in quality standards such as ISO 9001:2015, AS9100 REV D, and Nadcap for Heat Treating and Non-Destructive Testing.
Turner Uni-Drive, established in 1932, based in Kansas City, Missouri, is a manufacturer of custom gearboxes. The company engineers, manufactures and repairs industrial transmissions, speed-reducers, and gearboxes. Additionally, it provides quality multi-speed industrial gearboxes with thousands of ratios and torque capacities In 1935, the company developed the first enclosed gearbox, playing an important role in the war effort's demand throughout the 1940’s. Its customers are based in the United States and globally.
Riley Gear Corporation is a manufacturer of precision and custom gearboxes established in 1946 and located in Buffalo, New York, USA. The company offers high-speed gears for applications requiring rapid gear operation, large-size gears for heavy-duty applications in the industrial sector, and precision gears for withstanding wear in demanding environments. It also offers its custom manufacturing capabilities for unique projects. The company chiefly serves clients in the defense, energy, and transportation industries.
Aero Gear, founded in Windsor, Connecticut in 1982, is a manufacturer of gears and gearbox assemblies for the global aerospace industry. The company's product portfolio includes gearbox assemblies for aerospace systems, including engines and landing gear, high-performance gears designed to meet the rigorous demands of aerospace applications, and bespoke gears and gearbox assemblies tailored to specific aerospace requirements. The company provides heat treatment, superfinishing, balancing, and non-destructive testing, in its 69,000 sq. ft. facility.
Ondrives US, founded in Freeport, NY, in 2011 is a manufacturer of standard, modified, and custom precision gears, gearboxes, pulleys and mechanical components. The company's product portfolio includes gear hobblers, gear shapers, CNC vertical mills, bar fed CNC lathes and laser engraving. The company serves industries such as Oil and Gas, Aerospace and Defense, Automotive and Transportation, Construction, and Power Generation. The company also provides services including two dimensional drawings of 3D CAD models, product selection, national distribution and customer support.
Cone Drive was founded in 1925 and is a manufacturer of gearboxes and motion control technology located in Traverse City, Michigan. The company’s product line includes worm gears, worm gearboxes, slew bearings, slew drives and harmonic gearing. Its products are applicable for solar energy, aerospace, metals, mining, and various other industries. Its sales representatives are available in America, Africa, Asia, Australia, and Europe. Its quality management system is certified with ISO 9001.
Northern Industrial Manufacturing (NIM) is an American IATF-certified manufacturer of precision automotive parts established in 1978 and based in Harrison Township, Michigan. The company produces tier 1, 2 and 3 parts including high volume and selective fit thrust washers, lock plates, and shims. Their products are primarily used by clients in the automotive and aerospace industries, where they are integrated into components like transmissions, axles, landing gear assemblies, and engines. NIM also provides contract manufacturing, engineering, and testing services to customers with unique project specifications.
Allison Transmission Holdings, Inc, founded in 1915 at Indiannapolis, USA is a manufacturer of automatic transmission systems for commercial duty vehicles and hybrid propulsion systems. The company specializes in transmission systems mainly for medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicles along with their unique hybrid propulsion system intended for city buses. The transmission products include Highway Series, Motorhome series, emergency vehicle series, rugged duty series and specialty series. The 1000 MH motorhome series is widely used in recreational vehicles for maximum performance. The transmission systems are used in agriculture, mining, defense, transportation and port services alongside many other transportation utility uses.
Venture Mfg. Co., established in 1971 and based in Dayton, Ohio, USA, is a manufacturer and supplier of Linear Actuators. The company's product range includes Linear Actuators, Electric Linear Actuators, RV Slide-Out Actuators, DC Actuators, and Commercial Actuators. These products find applications in movements that require a straight-line push or pull motion. They primarily serve industries such as Recreational Vehicles, Solar Tracking, Medical Industry, and Renewable Energy. The company also provides services like CAD/CAM Design, Prototype Creation, Product Engineering, and Actuator Manufacturing.
TCI Automotive, founded in 1968 and located in Ashland, Mississippi, is a manufacturer and supplier of automatic transmissions, drivetrain components, and torque converters for street, street rod, hot rod, towing, and racing applications. The company’s core products include transmission packages, transmission controllers, torque converters, transmission internals, and transmission fluids. It also provides transmission mounting, CDs, shifters, manuals, and accessories. The company enables vehicle owners and tire dealers to buy spare parts for their businesses and vehicle maintainance.
Johnson Electric, since 1959, is a manufacturer of motors, micro-switches, solenoids, microelectronics, and flexible printed circuits based in Shatin, Hong Kong. Their products include AC motors, automotive switches & subsystems, cargo bikes, EMI-shielded flexible circuits, snap action switches, used in automotive, building automation, digital security, food & beverage, and laboratory equipment. Johnson Electric has been in the Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Benchmark index since 2018. The Hong Council of Social Service awarded it the 5+ caring company award in 2022-2023 and additionally, it is an Institute of Business Ethics supporter.
Hangzhou Chinabase Machinery Co., Ltd., founded in 1992 and based in Hangzhou, China, is a manufacturer specializing in an array of products, including power transmission components. Its key products encompass chains and sprockets for industrial power transmission, gearboxes to enhance torque and reduce speed, couplings for shaft connections, and gears used across industrial applications. Its products find applications in automation, conveyor technology, packaging, food, pharmaceuticals, and more. The company maintains quality and sustainability, holding certifications like ISO 9002, ISO 9001, API, ISO/TS 16949:2002, and ISO 10012 measurement management system.
JS Gears, founded in 1990 and based in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, is a manufacturer of gearboxes. Its product line includes parallel shaft helical gearboxes, inline helical geared motors, custom-made gearboxes, extruder duty helical gearboxes, and crane duty helical gearboxes. Designed to meet specific requirements, these products provide efficient power transmission and speed reduction for machinery in industries such as construction, manufacturing, and automotive. The company offers services such as diagnostic studies and addressing requirements for speed and power capacity changes. The company also supplies spare parts for gearboxes that have been reverse-engineered.
Transmission Machinery Co., Ltd.,established in 1983 and headquartered in Tainan, Taiwan, is a manufacturer of types of speed reducers, cyclo drive & cycloidal gearbox. The company's products consist of helical bevel gearbox, planetary gearbox, cycloidal drive, robotics speed reducers, cyclo drive for servo motors and cyclo derivatives. The speed reducers designed for heavy industries can be used for automation to replace manual and less flexible automated processes. The epicyclic and cycloidal speed reducers find application in travel motors, robotic systems, pumps, mixers and conveyors. The company has two production facilities with a distribution network in Asia, Australia and South america.
Jiangsu Haoke Transmission Technology Co., Ltd., founded in China in 1996, is an industrial gearbox manufacturer. It provides a wide range of standard gearboxes for general applications in the transport, energy, and extrusion manufacturing industries; custom gearbox solutions for specific markets and specially tailored projects; and customized transmission solutions for various applications. Spiral bevel gearboxes designed for parallel-shaft applications are available in different torque ranges, as well as gear units for extrusion processes in the rubber and plastics industry.
SGR Heavy Industry Machinery Co., Ltd., established in 1996 and headquartered in Shanghai, China, is a manufacturer that specializes in gearboxes and motors. The company's product line includes planetary gearboxes, double-enveloping worm gearboxes, worm gearboxes, and bevel gearboxes. It also offers cycloidal reducers, helical gearboxes, variators, and gear motors. Its planetary gearboxes have a higher service lifespan than traditional gearboxes for the same amount of load capacity. The company has achieved ISO 9001:2015 certification for its quality management systems. It serves various industries such as metallurgy, minerals, architecture, shipbuilding, and petroleum.
TANDLER is a designer and manufacturer of high-precision gears and special gearboxes founded in 1949 and based in Bremen, Germany. Its product list consists of bevel gears, spur and helical gears, racing gears, and splined shafts. It also offers high-accuracy torque transmission with minimal backlash gearboxes such as bevel gearbox, speed modulation gearbox, and servo gearbox. With a 100% in-house production process, the company designs and produces custom-made gearboxes with different housing and connection dimensions. It is ISO 9001:2015 certified and caters to various markets, including industrial machinery, automation, and robotics.
AISIN CORPORATION, established in 1965 and situated in Aichi, Japan, is a manufacturer and supplier of automotive parts as well as energy- and lifestyle-related products. In a significant move, Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. and its subsidiary, Aisin AW Co., Ltd., combined its business operations on April 1, 2021, ushering in the new entity known as AISIN CORPORATION. Some of its products include transmissions, brakes, engine and car navigation systems, and air conditioning systems.
JATCO Ltd, established in 1999 and located in Fuji City, Shizuoka, Japan, is a manufacturer and supplier of electrified powertrains, parts, and automobile transmissions. The company's product range includes CVT-X, CVTS, CVT7, CVT7 Hybrid, and CVT8. These transmissions are specifically designed for various types of front-wheel-drive (FWD) vehicles ranging from mini to medium/large sizes. These products serve the automotive industry, enhancing vehicle efficiency and performance. Alongside its product offerings, the company also works on the development, manufacturing, and sales of its advanced transmission systems.
Zollern GmbH & Co. KG, founded in 1708 and headquartered in Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, is a manufacturer of industrial solutions. The company's industrial solutions include drive technology, such as gear boxes, investment casting, and steel profiles. It also provides custom automation solutions for industries that include aviation, new energy, and large-scale railways. Its brands include Zollern, Dorstener, and Ruckle. Its services include project management, custom design, engineering, and manufacture of equipment, as well as the supply of parts.
Rotork Controls Inc, established in 1957 in New York, USA, is a manufacturer of industrial actuation and flow control equipment. The company offers customized and advanced actuation solutions for valve automation and flow control management. Their product line comprises Electric actuators, fluid power actuators, gearboxes and valve accessories, pneumatic valves and manifolds, and instrumentation and control products. These equipment are used in applications such as oil and gas, water and wastewater, power generation, and industrial automation for precise operation, enabling seamless regulation of fluid flow and process control in critical applications.
Parvalux Electric Motors Ltd., founded in 1947, is a UK-based electric and geared motor manufacturer in Bournemouth, currently a subsidiary of an American company, Maxon Precision Motors, Inc. The company supplies industrial and building automation as well as material handling products to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). These products include building access control systems, robotic solutions, and automated guided vehicles (AGVs). It also develops mobility solutions like wheelchair ramps and lifts, along with medical devices like air pumps and ventilators. The company further offers products for transportation, logistics, and agriculture, including marine steering systems as well as livestock feed and ventilation systems.
Festo Corporation, established in 1925 and headquartered in Esslingen, Germany, is a supplier of automation technology and technical education and is ISO 9001, ISO 13485, and ISO14001 certified. It has around 33,000 catalog products, customized components, and ready-to-install solutions, including grippers, motors, and sensors used in industrial and process automation. The company won the German Future Award in 2010 and serves 300,000 customers worldwide, while its education division provides training solutions for 56,000 industrial companies and educational institutions. It registered €3.81 billion in the 2022 financial year and is available in around 60 countries, with 2,600 patents worldwide.
Nabtesco Motion Control, Inc, founded in 1999 and headquartered in Farmington Hills, Michigan, USA, is a manufacturer of cycloidal gearboxes. The company specializes in creating high-precision cycloidal gears for torque density, precision, and durable durability. The advantages of the products include minimal backlash, optimum shock load capacity, and prolonged product life. The cycloidal gearboxes are used in an array of fields, including robotics, automation industries, machine tools, and the production of semiconductors. These tools are essential for obtaining precise and accurate motion control in complicated systems.
W M Berg, founded in 1967 and based in Cudahy, Wisconsin, is a manufacturer and supplier of precision industrial parts. The company delivers ISO 9001:2015 certified products and services, including assemblies, bearings, belts & chains, couplings & shafts, gears, fasteners & hardware, pulleys & sprockets and more. W M Berg provides designing, developing, manufacturing and testing facilities to its clients in the aerospace, medical and motion control industries. Its distributors include Applied Industrial Technology and Motion Industries.
ZF Friedrichshafen AG, founded in 1915 and headquartered in Friedrichshafen, Germany, is a manufacturer of mobility products and systems for commercial vehicles, passenger cars, and industrial technology. Its products include industrial gearboxes, air dryers, and anti-lock braking systems. The company serves four technology domains, including electric mobility, integrated safety, and vehicle motion control. Automated driving is its last domain, and it serves vehicle manufacturers and emerging transport and mobility service providers. The company has 162 production locations in 31 countries, and in fiscal year 2023, it reported sales of €46.6 billion and invested €3.5 billion in research and development.
STÖBER Antriebstechnik, founded in 1931 with headquarters in Pforzheim, Germany, is a manufacturer of gear units, motors, and drive controllers. The company's product line includes a range of gears, synchronous servo motors, helical servo gear motors, cables, and drive controllers (PC stacks) that are also available in modular and freely scalable models. It also offers an online configuration service so clients can self-design assemblies and full-drive systems that are tailor-made after approval. The company serves markets that include fabrication automation, electronics product processing automation, and automotive drive components.
Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. was founded in 1934 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, as an all-around machinery manufacturer. The company manufactures many types of machinery, including general industrial machinery, precision machinery, building machinery, ships, environmental plant facilities, and other related products. The delivery of gearbox support by Sumitomo extends beyond the first installation phase. Proficient professionals in the aftermarket field are consistently accessible to address concerns related to gearbox repair, maintenance inquiries, and any other operational requirements.
Konic Gearbox, established in 2002 and headquartered in Dalian, Liaoning, China, is a manufacturer of gearboxes for drive train systems. The company's main products include winch gearboxes, wind turbine gearboxes, and custom gear shafts. It offers a range of gearbox types, including planetary, worm, and helical. These products are used in numerous machines, equipment, and vehicles, including concrete mixers, cranes, and mining machines. The company's services include private label manufacturing, and it also offers full OEM services.
Xtrac, founded in 1984, is a designer, manufacturer, and supplier of transmission systems. The products include hybrid transmissions, electric drive units, and engineered projects in motorsports, sports cars, touring cars, motorcycles, and rally & offroad cars. The company has capabilities such as research & development, analysis & simulation, project integration, testing, and track support. The ISO 9901:2015 certified company has manufacturing services are bevel grinding, gear grinding, heat treatment, parts finishing, and gear cutting & broaching.
Kofcon Motion Group, established in 2010 and based in Huanggang City, Hubei Province, China, is a manufacturer and supplier of high-precision motion technologies. The company's product range includes inline planetary gearbox, strain wave gear, spiral bevel gearbox, reinforced type gearbox, and right angle gearbox. These products find ideal applications in driving and controlling machinery motions. The company's products serve the laser processing, intelligent logistics, robotics, and packing & printing machinery industries. It also offers services including design selection tool KDP, technical training, and engineering support.
Ningbo Planetary Gearbox, established in 1988, is an established manufacturer and supplier of gearsets, with its headquarters located in Zhejiang, China. The gears manufactured by the business have multipurpose uses, including but not limited to winches, tracked vehicles, wheeled vehicles, and wind turbines. Additionally, the company maintains a tight working relationship with each customer, offering services such as consultation, training, delivery of components, and support. In addition, it provides both superior transmitter systems and optimal transmitter solutions for various machines and applications.
AMETEK, Inc., headquartered in Waterbury, Connecticut, and founded in 1930, is a supplier and manufacturer of advanced linear and rotary solutions. The company offers a product portfolio, including multi-axis motion systems, linear rail systems, and lead screw and nuts assemblies. These solutions find applications in various fields, such as playing a key role in purge and trap analysis for gas chromatography sample preparation, ensuring the precise and accurate delivery of dyes and agents in contrast injector systems, and contributing to dialysis pump applications with linear stepper actuators.
Myostat Motion Control Inc., founded in 1999 and based in Newmarket, Canada, is a manufacturer and supplier of motion control solutions. The company's product portfolio includes Cool Muscle integrated servo systems, integrated networkable actuators, and Myostat gearboxes. These products are used in various industries, including consumer electronics manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and aerospace and defense. The company offers services including technical support, product customization, and warranty support. Additionally, the company is ISO 9001:2008 certified for its quality management systems.
Friedrichshafen AG, founded in 1915 and based in Friedrichshafen, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, is a supplier of chassis and driveline technology to the automotive industry. The company offers automotive systems and components for motorcycles, passenger cars, commercial vehicles, trucks, and construction machinery. It products include braking and steering systems, powertrain and transmission modules, front and rear axles, passenger safety systems, and automotive parts. The company also supplies integrated solutions such as spare parts, conversion repair, preventive overhaul, and services such as training and technical support. It serves markets in Europe, South America, North America, Africa, and Asia.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | NEWSTART MOTION INDUSTRIES LTD. |
13.1%
|
2 | Arrow Gear Co. |
5.1%
|
3 | S.S. White Technologies Inc. |
4.0%
|
4 | Turner Uni-Drive Company |
3.8%
|
5 | Zero-Max, Inc. |
3.4%
|
6 | ondrives us |
3.2%
|
7 | Allison Transmission Holdings, Inc |
3.1%
|
8 | TCI Automotive |
2.9%
|
9 | Venture Mfg. Co. |
2.8%
|
10 | TANDLER Zahnrad- und Getriebefabrik GmbH & Co. KG. |
2.5%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the gearbox page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United States of America | 12 | 50.0% |
China | 6 | 25.0% |
Japan | 2 | 8.3% |
Hong Kong | 1 | 4.2% |
India | 1 | 4.2% |
Taiwan | 1 | 4.2% |
Germany | 1 | 4.2% |