Gears, gear boxes and speed changers market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The German market for gears, gear boxes, and speed changers underwent notable changes from 2018 to 2024. The period began with a significant technological advance in 2018—the development of the radical 'Galaxie' gear system using movable teeth instead of fixed gears, which aimed to boost productivity in mechanical engineering. Market volume in physical terms, however, contracted from 582 thousand tons in 2018 to 538 thousand tons in 2019 and fell sharply to 439 thousand tons in 2020, before recovering to 527 thousand tons in 2021.

In the later years, market value dynamics shifted. Growth to $5 624 million in 2022 was fueled by innovations in reinforced composites, low-friction coatings, and digital manufacturing for POM plastic gears, alongside rising investments in industrial machinery. By 2024, the market value declined to $4 930 million. A primary driver was a downturn in Germany's automotive industry, which reported a 5.4% drop in demand for parts like gears in early 2024, reducing overall consumption. This was partially offset by growing demand in the wind energy segment, supported by initiatives like the 'GEARFORM' project for durable offshore wind turbine gears.

Production gears, gear boxes and speed changers in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's production of gears, gear boxes, and speed changers declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 6,916 million US dollars, marking a 9.4% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 4.4%, with an annualized decline of 1.5%. The peak was in 2018, reaching 7,952 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 9.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Production of gears, gear boxes, and speed changers in Germany dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Germany produced 549.2 thousand tonnes, a 16.0% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production declined by 15%, translating to an annualized rate of 5.3%. The highest output was recorded in 2018 at 701.4 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase that year of 8.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports gears, gear boxes and speed changers from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Germany's exports of gears, gear boxes, and speed changers fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 187.5 thousand tonnes, down 5.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 5.2%, equating to an annualized decline of 1.8%. The peak was in 2018 at 202.2 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 2.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's export market for gears, gear boxes, and speed changers was diverse. Denmark accounted for 19.2% of exports, the United States for 15.8%, and China for 9.7%, together making up 44.6% of total flows. The remaining 55.4% was distributed among many other countries.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Germany's export value of gears, gear boxes, and speed changers declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 3,305 million US dollars, a 6.7% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 2.8%, with an annualized decrease of 1.0%. The highest value was in 2018 at 3,768 million US dollars, which also recorded the largest increase of 10.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany's export value of gears, gear boxes, and speed changers was not highly concentrated. The United States contributed 13.3% of exports, China 10.9%, and Denmark 10.7%, together accounting for 34.9% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020

Imports gears, gear boxes and speed changers to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany imported about 77.2 thousand tonnes of gears, gear boxes, and speed changers in 2020, a 6.3% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports declined by 7.3%, with an annualized rate of 2.5%. The largest increase occurred in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's imports of gears, gear boxes, and speed changers were spread across various markets. China made up 16.1% of imports, Czechia 15.6%, and Italy 14.5%, together totaling 46.2% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Germany's import value of gears, gear boxes, and speed changers decreased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 992 million US dollars, down 10.6% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 10.4%, with an annualized decline of 3.6%. The peak was in 2018 at 1,191 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 7.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany's import value of gears, gear boxes, and speed changers was widely distributed. China accounted for 12.8% of imports, Italy for 12.2%, and Czechia for 10.9%, together making up 35.9% of total flows, with no single partner dominating.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020