Non-robotics industries

In addition to robotics, precision gearbox sales are expected to see higher revenue annual growth rates by 2030 from sectors such as military and defense, semiconductors and electronics machinery, and medical equipment.

Military and defense production is gaining momentum, fueled by rising defense spending in major regions. Precision gear sales in this sector are expected to grow at an average annual growth rate of 5.9 percent from 2024 to 2030, outpacing other non-robotics industries. Key applications include positioning and steering systems for radar and communications equipment, aerospace and military aircraft, military vehicles, and unmanned systems.

The semiconductor and electronics industry has seen a cyclical rebound since 2024, fueled by the AI boom and supportive policy initiatives, with investments outpacing other manufacturing industries.

The medical equipment sector, more consumer-facing than traditional industries like machine tools and woodworking, is expected to outperform most general manufacturing sectors in precision gear sales. This is especially the case during recent slowdowns in manufacturing. Similarly, the food and beverage machinery and packaging machinery sectors are projected to sustain relatively higher growth in 2026.

However, while the medical equipment sector typically demands high-end precision gears with reduced backlash, some clients from the food and beverage and packaging industries are opting for “good-enough” products. This has led to lower average prices, dampening revenue growth within these sectors.

Final thoughts The global precision gearbox and geared motors market saw recovery in 2025 after facing a challenging 2024. Robotics, especially industrial and mobile robots, remains the key driver of future growth, with humanoid robots emerging as a fast-growing sector. However, economic factors like tariffs and investment delays are still affecting short-term sales performance in general manufacturing industries. Looking forward, in addition to robotics, the military and defense, semiconductor machinery, and medical equipment sectors are expected to see promising growth. Driven by the continued trend towards precision automation, the long-term outlook for precision gearboxes remains optimistic.