Learn about the effect Covid-19 had on the industrial gearbox market and how the industry is predicted to recover.

Industrial Gearbox Market Trends 

As we reach the end of 2021, industries and manufacturers are beginning to see the light at the end of the COVID-tunnel. Travel restrictions are lifting as the world starts heading back to the workplace in all sectors, including those which impact the industrial gearbox industries such as agriculture, automotive, construction, food & beverage, marine, and wind power. In this article, we look at the state of the industrial gearbox market and the forecasted trends in the years to come.

The Impact of COVID-19 On The Market 

The effects of the global pandemic are predicted to influence the industrial gearbox industry until at least 2024. However, according to the Global Industrial Gearbox Market 2020 - 2024 report by Research and Markets, there will be a growing demand for gearboxes in high-performance applications, which will be the primary fuel for market growth in the years to come. The same report continues: '...growing repair and re-manufacture market for gearboxes used in high-performance applications is anticipated to boost the growth of the global industrial gearbox market...'

According to 360iResearch, the industrial gearbox market in the United States was estimated at US$ 4,576.27 million in 2020 and is expected to reach US$ 5,131.81 million in 2021. The same report projected a CAGR of 9.42% to reach almost US$ 8,000 million by 2026.

The forecasts help industry leaders and business executives plan and ensure they’re geared to take advantage of the expected market surge. 

Global Market Leaders By 2023 

The Asia Pacific region has owned more than 30% of the market share for industrial gearboxes since 2018. This makes sense as China and Japan are some the largest manufacturing countries in the world. Germany and the United States are following the Asia Pacific region along with countries in the Middle East and African regions.

Although the Middle East and African regions are lower on the list, they should not be underestimated. The threat of climate change is encouraging first, as well as third-world countries, to look at alternative energy sources. Wind power is expected to dominate the industrial gearbox industry by 2024, along with material handling, construction, and marine manufacturing. Developing countries in the African and Middle Eastern regions are constantly focusing on investing in the manufacturing, mining, and industrial automation industries.

The Future Of Gearbox Innovation

“People are innovative, and we are constantly redefining these limitations,’ Jaco Nies, chief consulting engineer for Systems Engineering at GE.  

According to powertransmission.com, manufacturers worldwide are relying heavily on automation for higher-quality, faster, and cheaper production. This has led servo manufacturers to develop gearboxes that are smarter and have a higher torque density. The same article mentions the most crucial advancement in gearbox design is the transition from a parallel shaft profile to a true planetary design. This provides load sharing between gears to increase torque and lifespan.  

Together with heat treatment processes, the lifespan of gearboxes are extended even further. Heat treatment processes increase the hardness layer by more than 30 times when compared to alternative treatments.  

What’s Grinding Your Gears?

With forecasts and trends pointing in a positive direction, one concern remains — overuse and deterioration of gearboxes and gearbox parts. As companies push machinery harder to meet deadlines and increase production, it’s understandable that industrial gearboxes will suffer from wear and tear.

This is why it’s paramount for businesses to commit to routine maintenance to ensure that gearboxes achieve maximum efficiency and contribute the greatest benefit. The team at  Houston Pump and Gear specialize in industrial gearbox repairs and participate in a gearbox exchange program where they offer a rebuilt unit at a discounted rate in exchange for used or inoperable gearboxes.

About the author:

Lorain Wilson is the Content Marketing Specialist at Houston Pump and Gear - home to North America’s most reliable industrial gearbox and pump repair. Whatever the brand, issue, or timeline, the Houston Pump and Gear team of certified engineers is standing by to offer a free quote and durable solution.