Increasing Competition and the Need for Planetary Solutions Spur Changes in the European Gearboxes and Geared Motors Market

LONDON, December 20 -- The European gearboxes and geared motors market is facing intense competition from Asian and eastern European manufacturers that are luring end-users through competitive pricing strategies. However, the growing need for planetary designs and the sustained demand from mechanical handling, wind energy, and food and beverages end-users, is expected to increase revenues in the European gearboxes and geared motors market from EUR2.48 billion in 2004 to EUR3.13 billion in 2011.

The increase in energy prices and the need to reduce dependence on the Middle East for fossil fuels has led to the development of inexpensive and renewable wind energy applications, which is likely to lead to a demand for gearboxes. Further, the need to reduce costs and improve productivity is driving the manufacturers to invest in more efficient power transmission solutions, which are expected to augment demand for planetary solutions and boost the growth of the European gearboxes and geared motors market.

"The anticipated expansion of the packaged food industry, with the modernisation and diversification of existing factories across Europe, will provide growth opportunities for gearbox and geared motor manufacturers", says Mr. Danny Solomon, Research Manager at Frost & Sullivan ( http://industrialautomation.frost.com) The modular design of off-the-shelf gearboxes and geared motors, which can be used in different applications, is another catalyst likely to drive the market.

The growing demand for large-scale, highly-engineered gearboxes is expected to drive the European gearbox market from EUR1.33 billion in 2004 to EUR1.72 billion by the end of 2011. The market for helical gearboxes (which accounts for the largest share of the total European gearbox market) is poised for growth as customers' demands continue, due to the increased efficiency and improved reliability of these gearboxes.

The demand for planetary gearboxes also continues to rise, despite being more expensive in comparison to helical ones. The growing importance of specialised planetary gearboxes is anticipated to generate greater revenues. However, the inefficiency of the technology associated with worm gearboxes leaves limited prospects for significant growth of this market and revenues are likely to remain modest.

The need for an integrated solution combined with a general preference for geared motor solutions is expected to fuel revenues in the geared motors market from EUR1.15 billion in 2004 to EUR1.41 billion in 2011. The geared motors markets in France, Scandinavia and Germany, which rely heavily on applications groups such as mechanical handling and food and beverages, will also assist in promoting the importance of geared motors in the region.

The availability of different designs in helical geared motors, such as in-line and helical bevel solutions, make them suitable for a broad range of applications and this is likely to result in increased revenues. Planetary geared motors, though expensive in comparison to worm geared motors, are also expected to enjoy greater demand due to their suitability in larger applications.

The European gearboxes and geared motors market is also witnessing growth in countries that do not represent industry-based economies and which offer lower-labour costs. While Germany, Italy and France have contributed significantly to the European gearboxes and geared motors market, other European countries such as Scandinavia, Benelux and Iberia offering lower-labour costs are emerging as sources of revenue. However, they are unlikely to challenge the dominance of the larger markets, notably Germany, even in the long term.

The German gearboxes and geared motors market, which represents nearly half of the total market revenues, is likely to remain the largest source of revenue. Despite the country's economic slowdown during 2001 to 2003, the versatile German gearboxes and geared motors market is expected to rebound in 2006. The Italian gearboxes and geared motors market is also expected to grow despite increasing competition from countries such as China and India. Gearbox and geared motor manufacturers have also discovered new applications in France, supporting expansion prospects.

Growth in the UK market will depend on the established manufacturing sector and the ability to effectively compete with regions that can offer a less expensive workforce. Despite this, the overall market in the UK is anticipated to increase from EUR186.1 million in 2004 to EUR228.0 million in 2011. Countries such as Scandinavia, Iberia, Benelux, Switzerland, Austria, Greece and the Republic of Ireland are also likely to contribute to higher demand levels.

Future strategies should be focused on global manufacturing to strengthen international branding and achieve greater market penetration. "Manufacturers should focus on building and maintaining end-user demand, enhancing their product portfolio and developing the expertise to offer improved services to complement their products", states Mr. Solomon.

If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which provides manufacturers, end users and other industry participants an overview of the latest analysis of the European Gearboxes and Geared Motors Market, then send an e-mail to Magdalena Oberland, Corporate Communications, at magdalena.oberland@frost.com with the following information: your full name, company name, title, telephone number, fax number, e-mail address and source of information. Upon receipt of the above information, an overview will be sent to you through e-mail.

Title: European Gearboxes and Geared Motors Market

Code: B365-17

Background

Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, has been partnering with clients to support the development of innovative strategies for more than 40 years. The company's industry expertise integrates growth consulting, growth partnership services and corporate management training to identify and develop opportunities. Frost & Sullivan serves an extensive clientele that includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies, and the investment community, by providing comprehensive industry coverage that reflects a unique global perspective and combines ongoing analysis of markets, technologies, econometrics, and demographics.

    
    Media Contacts:

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    Magdalena Oberland
    Corporate Communications
    P: +44-(0)-20-7915-7876
    E: magdalena.oberland@frost.com

    Americas:
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    Corporate Communications
    P: +1-210-477-8448
    E: tori.foster@frost.com

    Asia Pacific
    Donna Jeremiah
    Corporate Communications
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    E: djeremiah@frost.com

    India:
    Surbhi Dedhia
    Corporate Communications
    P: +91-22-2832-4705 Ext: 131
    E: sdedhia@frost.com

    Australia:
    Sharmin Jassal
    Corporate Communications
    P: +61-2-8247-8900
    E: sjassal@frost.com

List of key industry participants: Abm Greiffenberger Antriebstechnik GmbH, Ad Industry Group (Formerly Asug Getriebetechnik System - & Komponentenbau GmbH), Alfred Imhof Ag (Subsidiary Of Sew-eurodrive), Allen Gears, Alpha Getriebebau GmbH, Atv, Bhs Getriebe GmbH, Bonfiglioli Riduttori Spa, Brevini Riduttori Spa, Brown Group Ltd, Cgm, Chemnitzer Zahnradfabrik Gmbh & Co Kg, Cmd Engrenages Et Réducteurs, Comelor (Lufkin France), Costameccanica Spa, Construcciones Mecánicas Domenech Sa, Cryla, Danfoss Bauer GmbH, Desch Antriebstechnik Gmbh & Co Kg, Dodge Uk (Division Of Rockwell Automation), Dorstener Maschinenfabrik Ag, Gebr Eickhoff Maschinenfabrik Und Eisengiesserei GmbH, Equipos De Transmisión Sa, Fachini Srl, Falk, Fimet Motori & Riduttori Spa, Flender GmbH, Foc Transmissions Sa, Gb Riduttori Srl, G Elli Riduttori Seites Spa, Gerit Trasmissioni Spa (Part Of Lenze), Hansen Transmissions International Nv (Subsidiary Of Rexnord), Harmonic Drive Ag, Jahnel-kestermann Getriebewerke Bochum GmbH, Kachelmann Getriebe Vertriebsund Konstruktions GmbH, Kumera Drives Oy, Lenze GmbH & Co Kg, Leroy-somer (Division Of Emerson), Lohmann+stolterfoht Gmbh (Subsidiary Of Bosch Rexroth Ag), Maag Gear Ag (Fl Smidth Group), Marzorati Tecnica Industrial E Spa, Merger Usine Merger Sa, Metso Drives Oy, Mora Srl Trasmissioni, Motomeccanica Braga & Pellegrini Srl, Motovario Spa, Nord Getriebebau Nord Gmbh & Co Kg, O&k Orenstein & Koppel Ag, Opperman Mastergear Ltd, Otg Gusti Srl, Piv Antrieb Werner Reimers Gmbh & Co Kg (Subsidiary Of Brevini Riduttori), Pujol Muntalà Sa, Reductores Cuñat Sa, Reggiana Riduttori, Reggiana Riduttori Holland (Subsidiary Of Reggiana Riduttori), Reintjes GmbH, Renk Aktiengesellschaft, Renold Gears, Rhein-getriebe GmbH, Rodamientos, Rossi Motoriduttori Spa, Sai Spa, Sampingranaggi Srl, Sanders Machinefabriek Bv, Schelde, Schwaben Präzision Fritz Hopf GmbH, Segers Aandrijvingen, Sertec Transmisiones Sl, Sew-eurodrive GmbH, Siap Spa, Siemens Ag, Som Spa (Comer Group Industrial Division), Stiebel-getriebebau Gmbh+ Co Kg, Sumitomo Cyclo Drive Europe Ltd, Svenska Transmissions Produkter Ab, Swedrive A B, Technopoint, Tecnotrans Sabre Sa, Textron Power Transmission (Textron David Brown), Thyssen Henschel Industrietechnik GmbH, Transmisión Industrial Echesa Sa, Transmisiones Olalde, Varatio Ltd, Var-spe Spa, Varvel Spa, Vector Aandrijftechniek Bv, Winergy Ag (Subsidiary Of Flender), Zae Antriebs Systeme Gmbh & Co, Zambello Riduttori Srl, Zf Padova Spa, Zollern, Zollern Uk Ltd, Zürrer Ag Antriebstechnik, Zz-antriebe GmbH

List of keywords in this press release: European gearboxes market, European geared motors market, gearbox, geared motor, helical gearbox, planetary gearbox, worm gearbox, helical geared motor, planetary motor, worm motor, planetary designs, power transmission solutions, planetary solutions, German gearboxes and geared motors market, off-the-shelf gearboxes.

Media Contacts: Europe: Magdalena Oberland, Corporate Communications, P: +44-(0)-20-7915-7876, E: magdalena.oberland@frost.com, Americas: Tori Foster, Corporate Communications, P: +1-210-477-8448, E: tori.foster@frost.com, Asia Pacific, Donna Jeremiah, Corporate Communications, P: +603-6304-5832, E: djeremiah@frost.com, India: Surbhi Dedhia, Corporate Communications, P: +91-22-2832-4705 Ext: 131, E: sdedhia@frost.com, Australia: Sharmin Jassal, Corporate Communications, P: +61-2-8247-8900, E: sjassal@frost.com