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This section provides an overview for clutches as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 32 clutch manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked clutch companies as of December, 2024: 1.AMS Automotive, 2.SPEC Clutch, Inc., 3.Ogura Industrial Corp..
Table of Contents
A clutch is a power transmission device that connects the engine to the transmission in vehicles. It plays a vital role in managing the transfer of engine power to the transmission and is essential for starting, stopping, and shifting gears in cars and motorcycles. The clutch ensures smooth transitions and prevents the harsh impact that would otherwise occur during gear shifts. While often associated with manual transmission vehicles, automatic transmission vehicles also utilize a torque converter, which functions similarly to a clutch.
The clutch system comprises the flywheel, clutch disc, and clutch cover. The flywheel connects directly to the engine, transmitting its rotational motion. The clutch disc, attached to the transmission, engages with the flywheel when the clutch pedal is depressed, transferring the engine’s rotation to the transmission and then to the wheels. The clutch cover encases these components and supports the engagement and disengagement process through a pressure plate.
Clutches are used not only in automobiles and motorcycles but also in various other applications requiring power transmission, such as electric motors, lawnmowers, snowplows, helicopters, and ships.
Clutches can be classified based on their construction and operation.
This type of clutch features interlocking teeth or claws for direct power transmission without loss. However, it's unsuitable for vehicles with large RPM differences between the engine and transmission.
Friction clutches use the force of friction for power transmission, making them suitable for smooth transmission in vehicles. They can be further categorized into disc and drum types, with variations like wet and dry clutches, multi-plate clutches, electric friction clutches, and centrifugal clutches.
Hydraulic clutches transmit power through a liquid medium. A notable advancement in this category is the torque converter, commonly used in automatic transmission vehicles.
The 'half clutch' technique is essential in manual transmission vehicles for smooth gear shifting and starting. It involves gradually engaging the clutch to smoothly transfer engine power, preventing the jarring shocks that would occur with sudden engagement.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Ogura Industrial Corp., established in 1938 and headquartered in Somerset, New Jersey, United States, is an electromagnetic clutches and brakes manufacturer. The company's products include industrial clutches and brakes, mobile clutches, general-purpose clutches, and PTO clutches. It also offers a range of air blowers, air pumps, superchargers, and recirculation blowers that utilize the most robust and lightweight materials available today to enhance traditional engine power. These products are used in engine-driven industrial equipment, commercial mowers and other grounds-keeping machinery, and on engines to boost horsepower output.
Lowell Corporation, based in West Boylston, Massachusetts, is a manufacturer of mechanical hand tools since 1869. The company specializes in providing a range of standard and custom-designed tools that incorporate their renowned ratchet technology. Their product lineup, including ratchet arms, ratchet clutches, socket wrenches, roller clutches, and related items, which are made in the USA. Lowell Corporation places a strong emphasis on the significance of utilizing appropriate tools and well-designed machinery to achieve maximum productivity and performance in work environments.
Tolomatic was founded in the 1950s and operates out of Hamel, Minnesota. Tolomatic Is a manufacturer of automation components for industries such as aerospace, agriculture, automotive construction, life sciences, semiconductor, and utilities. Tolomatic has three main product lines which are electric linear actuators, pneumatic linear actuators, and power transmissions. Electric linear actuators include rodless electro-mechanical actuators, electric rod actuators, as well as custom & modified products. Pneumatic linear actuators include rodless pneumatic actuators, rod-style pneumatic linear thrusters, and custom & modified products. Power transmission includes roller screws, industrial caliper brakes, industrial gearboxes, and industrial cone clutches.
Mach III, founded in 1962 and headquartered in Elmira, USA, is a manufacturer of motion control solutions. The company designs and manufactures air and spring applied friction brakes, clutches, and mechanical torque limiters for power transmission applications up to 5,000 lb.ft. It offers more than 2,000 different models of these products, and specializes in rapid custom design solutions in required variations. These products are used in various industries and applications, such as material handling, food packaging and medical equipment.
WPT Power Corporation, established in Wichita Falls, Texas, in 1992, is a manufacturer of mechanical power transmission equipment. The company's product portfolio includes Gearboxes used for transmitting power, Shaft Couplings, sprockets and roller chains, suitable for power transmission in conveyor systems and other mechanical applications and Belt Drives. Their products are used in industries including Manufacturing and Industrial Plants, Mining and Quarrying, and Agriculture. The company provides Quality Assurance, Technical Support, national distribution, customized services and customer support.
Midwest Brake is an American manufacturer of industrial power transmissions, clutch and braking systems, and friction materials that was founded in 1950 in Warren, Michigan. The company produces hydraulic as well as pneumatic clutches and brakes, electric oil shear brakes, electric motor brakes, and friction products such as bolted brake bands or friction blocks. Its products serve a wide range of clients including those in industrial manufacturing, metal fabrication, material handling, and mining. Midwest Brake also provides product customization, repair, and field servicing for customers with machines that cannot be relocated.
Stearns is an American manufacturer of AC as well as DC industrial brakes and clutches that was originally founded in 1916 before its acquisition by the Rexnord Corporation in 1987. Based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the company produces small gear motor brakes, metric frame brakes, NEMA C-face brakes, and servo motor brakes. It also offers various clutches, electronic start switches, and an online brake configurator for customers requiring product selection assistance. Stearns products are commonly used in construction, agriculture, forestry, material handling, and heavy machinery.
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.
SPEC Clutch, Inc., headquartered in Bessemer, Alabama, has been a manufacturer specializing in producing clutches and flywheels since its establishment in 2000. The company’s range encompasses performance clutches, multi-disc clutches, tuned billet flywheels, and various pressure plate options. Additionally, the company offers services that include pull-to-push hydraulic conversions and options for upgrading and replacing factory slave cylinders, master cylinders, and clutch lines. Operating through a network of dealers, including Venture Racing, Higgins Ford Performance, Kurgan Motorsports LLC, Hawks Third Gen Parts, and Sneed’s Speed Shop Inc. the company supplies the automotive industry all over the USA.
Boston Gear is a North Carolina-based manufacturer and supplier of power transmission components including bearings, clutches, enclosed gear drives, and AC/DC motors. Founded in 1877, the company offers more than 30,000 standard products, as well as the option to create custom-engineered solutions. The company is ISO 9001 certified, with clients in the mining and aggregate, energy, aerospace, defense, construction, and agricultural industries. Boston Gear components are also used in packaging and robotics operations by companies such as Disney and Coca-Cola.
Hilliard Corporation was founded in 1905 and headquartered in Elmira, New York. The company is an engineer, manufacturer, and distributor of motion control, braking systems, and filtration products to industries such as power generation, oil & gas, refinery, and steel in their ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturing facilities. The company provides direct contact between customers and engineers and has the manufacturing and design capabilities to customize orders to meet any challenge in the motion control and filtration industries, whether the end products are industrial clutches, engine starters, or braking systems.
Formsprag LLC (Formsprag Clutch), established in 1946 and a part of Altra Industrial Motion Inc., is an American manufacturer and supplier based in Warren, Michigan, specializing in clutch technologies for demanding applications. Originally focused on producing sprag clutches, the company has broadened its offerings to include general and special-purpose clutches featuring ball- and sleeve-bearing supports. Its product range also includes backstopping clutches, modular building block clutches, and clutch couplings. Holding ISO 9001 certification, the company serves various markets, including the aerospace industry, amusement rides, and ski lifts.
Quality Bearings & Components (QBC) has been a distributor of bearings and related motion control components since 1950. The company is under the Designatronics division, headquartered in New York, USA. The company supplies various bearings, such as ball, roller, thrust, and spherical plain bearings. These components are critical in reducing friction and facilitating smooth motion in machinery and equipment. The company also has other motion components, including bushings, rod ends and linkages, linear motion products, pillow blocks and flanges, and shafting. The company serves a broad customer across various industries, including manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, agriculture, and industrial machinery.
VXB Ball Bearings., founded in the USA is a supplier of bearings. The company's product portfolio consists of a variety of ball bearings, including deep groove ball bearings, angular contact ball bearings, thrust ball bearings, cylindrical roller bearings, tapered roller bearings, and spherical roller bearings. It also provides specialized bearings for specific industries and applications, such as agricultural bearings, automotive bearings, and medical equipment bearings. The company offers services including delivery, technical assistance, and after-sales support.
JBJ Techniques Limited, founded in 1974 and based in Redhill, Surrey, is a manufacturer of industrial machinery. It offers mechanical and fluid power products, including couplings/bell housings, gearboxes/ clutches, printed wiring boards, pumps/ motors, seals, level indicators and more. The company offers ISO-9001-certified and BS ISO-45001:2018 certified goods and services from specification to technical support, as well as, manufacture to after-sales support to its customers in the UK and across the globe.
GMN was founded in 1908 as a manufacturer of high-precision components and systems, in Nuremberg, Germany. Their product list includes Ball Bearings, categorized as special and standard, and ready-to-use bearing systems. The spindles manufactured by the company have applications in grinding, milling, and drilling and the freewheel clutches are available in different forms, such as sprag type and etc. They also develop non-contact seals such as the labyrinth, gap, and face seals and the Electric Drives are also part of the production which has applications in the manufacturing industry along with Aeronautics, Machine Components, and Tool and Die construction.
F.C.C. Co., Ltd., originally established as Fuji Lite Industries Co., Ltd. in 1939 and headquartered in Sato-cho, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, is a manufacturer of clutches and facings. Its product line includes motorcycle clutches, automobile clutches, and general-purpose clutches, serving various applications in the automotive and lawn care sectors. These are integral to the operation of motorcycles, automobiles, and various machinery, enabling the controlled transfer of power and facilitating the functionality of these vehicles and equipment. The company holds certifications such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, TS 16949, and QS9000, reflecting its adherence to quality standards.
Ogura Clutch Co. Ltd., established in 1938 and headquartered in Kiryu, Gunma, Japan, is a manufacturer of clutches used for car air conditioners, machine tools, and construction machinery. The company offers clutch brakes for general industry, tension control systems, automotive A/C clutches, superchargers, and solenoids for powertrain applications. These products are utilized in various industries, such as automotive and construction. The company holds certifications like ISO/TS 16949 and ISO 14001, showcasing its adherence to quality and environmental standards. It has also received awards, including the Ford World Excellence Supplier – GOLD in 2012 and SILVER in 2016.
U.S. Tsubaki Power Transmission LLC., founded in 1971 and based in Wheeling, Illinois, is a manufacturer and supplier of motion control and power transmission products and is ISO 9001 certified. Its products include sprockets, conveyor chains, and roller chains used in several industries, including automotive, primary metals, and forest products. It’s a subsidiary of the Tsubakimoto Chain Company, and it has several manufacturing facilities in the United States, including Milwaukee (WI), Sandusky (OH), and Chicopee (MA). The company sells its products through distribution channels but can sell directly to qualified OEMs.
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.
Industrial Motion Corp. is based in Braintree, Massachusetts, USA, and is a manufacturer of automation products that was established in 2022 following the acquisition of Altra Industrial Motion Corp. by Regal Rexnord Corporation. The company primarily produces gear drives for torque management and power transmission, clutches and brakes for heavy duty vehicles, and linear components for motion automation or control. The company is ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001 and IATF 16949-certified, and mainly serves clients in the industrial sector.
Renold Canada Ltd. is based in LaSalle, Quebec, Canada, and is a manufacturer of power transmission products established in 1920 as a subsidiary of Britain's Renold Plc. The company specializes in designing and manufacturing a wide range of parts used for power transmissions. These include engineering chains, helical gears, and couplings used for vibration damping. The company also offers equipment for material handling or material separation, and customization options for skids and modules. It serves clients in the oil and gas, mining, and renewable energy sectors.
ATE, established in 1906 and headquartered in Schwalbach, Germany, is a manufacturer of a large assortment of brakes and related products. The company fills the gap by providing disc brakes, drum brakes, and brake fluids. It also comes with hydraulic parts, clutch parts, as well as wheel speed sensors. The subcategories of its disc brakes, original brake pads, naturally comply with all the provisions of the ECE regulations and independent tests have confirmed their outstanding friction values.
Central Automotive Products Ltd., established in 1946 and headquartered in Japan, is a supplier that provides a range of automotive components. The company specializes in automotive filtration solutions, including oil, air, and fuel filters, which improve engine performance and longevity. Additionally, it supplies engine management components like sensors and ignition coils, used for precise engine control. It serves the automotive industry, addressing the needs of both original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and the aftermarket as its components find application in maintaining and enhancing overall vehicle performance and efficiency across various sectors.
Helander Products, Inc., established in 1956 and based in Clinton, Connecticut, is a manufacturer and supplier specializing in miniature clutches. The company's product portfolio includes D-series roller clutches, M-series magnetic spring clutches, and sprockets. These products are used in various sectors, including aerospace and medical equipment, where the clutches are utilized in surgical instruments and diagnostic equipment, as well as in packaging applications. The company offers services including providing various payment options such as PayPal and wire transfers, as well as custom clutch manufacturing.
Dynatect Manufacturing, Inc. was founded in 1945 and is headquartered in New Berlin, Wisconsin. As a provider of custom motion and protection solutions, they cater to diverse industries, including manufacturing, automation, and medical. Its cutting-edge product range encompasses bellows, protective covers, and ball screw assemblies, vital for ensuring equipment longevity and operator safety. Dynatect's engineering expertise influenced sector advancements, finding applications from manufacturing facilities to medical equipment, ensuring smooth operations and enhanced safety.
Ranking as of December 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | AMS Automotive |
9.3%
|
| 2 | SPEC Clutch, Inc. |
6.6%
|
| 3 | Ogura Industrial Corp. |
5.2%
|
| 4 | Tolomatic, Inc. |
5.2%
|
| 5 | F.C.C. Co.,Ltd. |
5.0%
|
| 6 | Mach III |
4.6%
|
| 7 | Lowell Corporation |
4.6%
|
| 8 | Midwest Brake |
3.7%
|
| 9 | ondrives us |
3.7%
|
| 10 | Boston Gear |
3.7%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the clutch page as of December 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
|
15 | 65.2% |
|
Japan
|
5 | 21.7% |
|
United Kingdom
|
1 | 4.3% |
|
Germany
|
1 | 4.3% |
Australia
|
1 | 4.3% |
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