Herman Falk entered the gearbox manufacturing industry after launching his company in 1893 in Milwaukee. After developing a process called “cast welding,” his ingenuity and demand for excellence quickly gained his company a reputation as “America’s leading producer of industrial gear drives.”
Today, Falk continues to be the frontrunner of the gearbox industry by manufacturing speed reducers that are built to last while offering better speed control and efficiency than their competitors, including a surplus of other advantages not found elsewhere.
As a result, the future of the gearbox market is looking brighter with each passing year. Let’s take a look at what’s driving the speed reducer industry forward in 2025.
Current Market and Growth Projections
The gearbox market today thrives thanks to the evolution of new technologies in the robotics space, increasing interest in automation, the rise of smart technology, and the drive to discover cleaner, newer energy sources.
As a result, the speed reducer market grew from $29.95 billion in 2023 to $31.64 billion in 2024 at a 5.6% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). That momentum isn’t slowing down. Future Market Insights (FMI) reported that the industrial gearbox market has the potential to grow from $30.08 billion to $47.16 billion by 2033.
What’s Driving the Gearbox Market Forward in 2025
Industrial Automation and Robotics
The push for greater efficiency and productivity in manufacturing is driving the adoption of more advanced solutions. Gearboxes by Falk play a massive role in this department by offering proven performance with higher precision rates and more control over horsepower and torque.
The International Federation of Robotics estimates that we’ll see an annual installation of over 500,000 industrial robots added to global factories by 2025. Each of these robots represents an opportunity for growth in the gearbox industry, where precision matters.
Consequently, other gearbox manufacturers can’t provide the exact precision required to support smart automation and robotics like Falk, including:
- Regulating the speed and torque of production-related machinery.
- Delivering precise motion control and better torque capacity.
- World-class resilience that can withstand even the most rugged conditions,
- Higher-efficiency rated speed reducers that require less power consumption.
Learn more about the evolution of gearbox engineering
Renewable Energy
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecasts a significant increase in demand for renewable energy sources like wind and solar in 2025. That growth is attributed partly to increased government support for renewable energy and move away from coal and nuclear power.
Renewable Energy Fast Facts
- Solar power is expected to increase by 75% and produce 286 billion kWh of electric power by 2025.
- Wind power is expected to grow by 11% and produce 476 billion kWh of electric power by 2025.
Source: U.S Energy Information Administration
Surplus gearboxes by Falk are pivotal in enhancing renewable energy production by supporting and improving efficiency through reliable torque and performance.
The power and energy industry uses surplus gearboxes in various applications to produce greener energy. This is partly due to the industry’s reliance on helical and planetary speed reducers thanks to the benefits they offer when converting and producing power.
Featured Falk Gearboxes Supporting Renewable Energy Solutions
The Benefits of Planetary Falk Gearboxes |
The Benefits of Helical Falk Gearboxes |
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Electric Vehicles (EVs)
The global EV market is expected to increase by 77 million passenger vehicles by 2025—a 20 million increase from 2022. As a result, the booming EV market is creating significant demand for specialized gearboxes by Falk.
Gear drives are already being adopted in EVs today. For example, the Volkswagen Passat includes a newly designed gearbox with a fuel-saving “down-speeding” feature that allows the car to run at higher gears at lower torque.
The Benefits Falk Gearboxes Offer EVs
- Higher precision rates and more speed control
- Higher efficiency ratings that require less power
- World-class durability that supports longer-lasting EV drivetrains
- Smoother power transmission
- Flexible configurations for optimized EV performance
- Reduced maintenance
Future Outlook and Emerging Trends
The industrial gearbox market is set for a period of innovation and growth. Key areas to watch include:
Increasing Interest in Smart Manufacturing
Smart manufacturing is a collaboration between humans and machines using advanced technologies and the internet to make industrial processes wiser, more efficient, and more connected. The adoption of innovative manufacturing technologies, including IoT-enabled equipment, is driving demand for surplus Falk gearboxes and speed reducers.
How Smart Technology Optimizes Gearbox Applications
- Precision: AI optimizes gearbox performance that makes real-time adjustments for tasks related to autonomous robots.
- Efficiency: Sensors and big data applied to gearbox designs can improve manufacturing and eliminate inefficiencies.
- Reduced Downtime: Predictive maintenance detects potential failures, preventing the expensive consequences of gearbox downtime.
- Supply Chain: Smart manufacturing uses sensor data to enhance gearbox performance and supply chain efficiency.
- Future-Proofing: Falk gearboxes provide precise control needed for autonomous manufacturing, adapting to changing production demands.
Learn more about Smart Manufacturing and how it applies to Falk gearboxes >
More Industries Will Embrace Falk Gearboxes to Meet Sustainability Goals
Many of our national partners have told us they’re switching to Falk speed reducers due to their environmental benefits. In many cases, Falk gearboxes produce less waste, reduce resource consumption, decrease emissions, and improve efficiency.
4 Ways Falk Gearboxes Champion Sustainability
- Built to Last: Falk’s exceptional longevity means less frequent replacements, which translates to less waste and resource consumption over time—even under the most demanding applications.
- Sustainably Efficient: A higher-efficiency rated gearbox by Falk requires less power consumption by using a smaller motor to improve productivity and lower carbon emissions.
- Reuse, Reduce, Recycle: Repurposing a gearbox minimizes waste and reduces the need to harvest more raw materials.
- Easily Repaired: Falk products can be repaired and refurbished rather than replaced to reduce waste.
Learn more about the sustainable advantages of Falk gearboxes >
Improved Logistics Through Green Tech Corridors
Green Tech Corridors surfaced in 2021 with the goal of decarbonizing shipping and trade routes across the country. These so-called “corridors” typically connect multiple cities or regions, fostering collaboration between businesses, research institutions, and governments.
How Gearboxes by Falk Will Assist Green Tech Corridors in 2025
- Speed reducers by Falk provide improved energy efficiency
- Falk gearboxes will continue to power renewable energy infrastructure across the country
- Gear drives will be applied to more smart technologies
- Gearboxes will make transportation logistics greener across the board
NW Industrial Sales LLC: Your Trusted Gearbox Partner in 2025 and Beyond
As surplus gearbox suppliers and technicians, we’re ecstatic to see our industry evolve while organizations like Falk maintain quality and performance without compromise.
For those looking to support their industrial applications by looking forward alongside a new partner, we offer the following advantages:
- A specialized team of technicians with expertise in Falk repair and renewal services
- An extensive inventory made up of new and used Falk speed reducers and parts
- An authentic partner who can help reduce downtime when you need it most
- National support beyond Oregon and Washington—we can service your gearbox whenever, wherever
Contact our Falk team today to discover the difference having a dependable partner can make in the future of your industrial needs. Once we receive your note, we’ll follow up with additional information detailing how we can assist you.
