This year’s State-of-the-Gear-Industry survey generated a wide variety of responses. The industry doesn’t seem to be moving in just one direction, but rather, in multiple. In some cases, this is a story of the haves and the have-nots. Depending on what’s going on the world, companies serving one industry will outperform companies serving another. But overall, companies that are well positioned—those that have invested in technology, found ways to hire and maintain a skilled workforce and who have anticipated and prepared for paradigm shifts like the electrification movement—seem to have a much more positive outlook.

Gear Technology’s annual State-of-the-Gear-Industry survey polls gear manufacturers about the latest trends and opinions relating to the overall health of the gear industry. As in years past, the survey was conducted anonymously, with invitations sent by e-mail to gear industry companies—primarily in North America, but also including some respondents from around the world. Nearly 200 individuals responded to the survey.

Almost every time I have the opportunity to meet with professionals in the gear industry, the topic of training and education comes up. Maintaining a stable workforce continues to be one of the chief struggles of manufacturing companies.

I'm presuming that you'll be attending IMTS at McCormick Place, Chicago, September 11–17. I mean, why wouldn't you? If you’re reading this magazine, then you're somehow involved in the world of gear manufacturing, and whether you're a design engineer sitting at a computer every day, a machinist working on the shop floor or an inspector working in a quality control lab, you need to understand how gears are made to do your job well.

Last issue I asked you all for a special favor. Thank you to those of you who responded. But for the rest of you...well, we could still use your help.  The success of Gear Technology depends on our ability to know who you are, where you work and how you’re involved in the gear industry. That means subscribing or renewing your subscription.

The continued success of Gear Technology depends entirely upon you, the reader. More specifically, our success depends on knowing who you are, where you work and how you’re involved in the gear industry. That means subscribing or renewing your subscription.

After more than two years of COVID isolation, it feels good to be getting out of our bunkers and interacting with people again. Last month, I had the great pleasure of attending the AGMA Annual Meeting, where executives from member companies got together in person for the first time since 2019. The 2020 meeting was canceled at the last minute due to COVID. Last year’s meeting was held virtually, with an electronic meeting room and videoconference presentations. But this year felt like a return to normal.

You may have noticed that we’ve spruced things up a bit over at geartechnology.com. The website has undergone a complete overhaul, from the front-end design to the back-end programming and system that allows us to be as efficient as possible in producing and delivering the content you need.