Worm Gear Drive Market Size - Gear Type, By Product Type, By Material, By Application, By End Use Industry, By Distribution Channel Analysis, Share, Growth Forecast, 2025 - 2034

Worm Gear Drive Market Size

The global worm gear drive market size was valued at USD 2.8 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 4.1 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 3.7% from 2025 to 2034, driven by increasing trends toward manufacturing automation, surged automotive sector, increasing construction activities along with demand for heavy-duty machinery.
 

Industry 4.0 and advanced manufacturing are leading the application of worm gear drives in automated machinery such as CNC machines, robots, conveyor systems, and assembly lines. These gears provide high torque and space-saving designs, fulfilling the requirements of accurate power transmission. Worm gears play a vital role in automotive equipment like adjustable seats, sunroofs, and steering systems.
 

According to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association, global car sales grew by nearly 10% in 2023, exceeding 72 million units, as supply chain issues eased. 18.6% growth in European sales was fueled by expansion in both EU and Eastern European markets. Russia and Ukraine, after declining sharply in 2022, demonstrated significant growth, while Türkiye experienced a 63.2% jump, coming close to one million units sold. Additionally, 15% car sales growth was seen in North America in 2023, even amid high inflation and increasing interest rates. The U.S. saw a 14.4% rise in new car sales. In South America, passenger car sales remained steady at over 2.8 million units, unchanged from 2022.
 

Furthermore, the increased demand for building, infrastructure, and public works globally also increases the need for worm gear drive in construction machinery. These gears are capable of working easily in a crane, lift, hoist, and material-handling equipment because of its excellent capabilities of high reliability and durability under heavy-duty applications. 
 

Worm Gear Drive Market Trends

• The development of new materials for worm gear has highly enhanced performance and longevity. New materials, such as high-strength alloys, composites, and coatings, are being used more and more to promote wear resistance, reduce friction, and enhance the service life of worm gear.
   
• Additive manufacturing, or more commonly referred to as 3D printing, has revolutionized the process of manufacturing worm gear production. As sustainability and eco-friendly considerations gain momentum, as a result the focus towards more sustainable lubricants and gear materials for worm gear sets. Such moves also work to minimize waste and enhance recyclability in manufacturing worm gears.  
   
•  Renold Gears developed DL series dual lead worm gear. This dual lead worm gear offers many advantages to the alternative split worm gear design. It provides a kinematically correct gear, that can run in either direction of rotation, or on which the backlash is infinitely adjustable from an acceptable maximum to near zero.
   

Trump Administration Tariffs

• In April 2025 Trump administration announced a series of tariffs that are expected to impact both the United States and the global economy. Some of the 60 trading partners subject to the higher tariffs include China at a 34% tariff, Vietnam at a 46% tariff, and the European Union at a 20% tariff.
   
• Trump administration considering revising the 25% tariffs on imported vehicles and auto parts from countries like Mexico and Canada. Indian auto parts makers face sales losses in their top overseas market due to looming US tariffs on car parts. The 25% import duty on components like engines and gears will significantly impact manufacturers and trigger discussions on cost-bearing.
   
• As a result, there might be a shift in the manufacturing or sourcing of parts from countries such as Vietnam and Mexico. Even though these moves were made to ensure future stability, they will cause delays and operational cost increases in short-term.
   
• The 25% auto part tariff, including gearboxes, has caused a disruption in the automotive supply chain, resulting in higher costs for consumers and manufacturers.
   

Worm Gear Drive Market Analysis

The worm gear drive industry based on gear type are segmented into non-throated worm gears, single throated worm gear and double throat worm gears. In 2024, the single throated worm gear segment dominates the market generating revenue of USD 1.8 billion and is expected to grow at CAGR of around 4.1% through 2034.
 

• Single throated worm gear is highly utilized in robotics, CNC machines, and medical equipment, where precision and reliability are highly considerable. Single throated worm gear is highly efficient and operates smoothly. These factors make the gear an essential component in the automotive industry, advanced machinery and robotics industry.
   
• Non-throated worm gears, with high torque and minimum backlash, possess a straightforward structure in which the worm bears directly onto worm wheel teeth.
   
• Worm gears are widely utilized in heavy machinery such as conveyors, hoists, and cranes based on their strength and heavy load-carrying capacity. Surging demand for high-torque, low-backlash solution in mining, material handling is boosting he worm gear market growth.

The worm gear drive market based on end use industry is segmented into manufacturing, automotive, mining, aerospace, construction & material handling, and others. The manufacturing segments accounted for over 32% of the market share in 2024.
 

• Manufacturing automation is propelling demand for accurate and dependable gear systems in machinery and robotics. Worm gears, with their compact size and high torque, are becoming the gear of choice. Although less efficient than other gears in the past, manufacturers are enhancing design and lubrication to make them more energy efficient.
   
• According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, In 2023, manufacturing contributed $2.3 trillion to U.S. GDP amounting to 10.2 % of total U.S. GDP.
   
• Producing high-precision worm gears, screws, spur, and helical gears previously required two separate CNC grinding machines. For instance, PTG Holroyd’s launched new HG350-WG worm and gear grinding center combines these tasks into one machine. This advanced addition to the HG350 family features an upgraded HPMS (Holroyd Profile Management System) for fast programming and seamless calculations of worms and gears.  
   

In terms of the distribution channel, the worm gear drive market is segmented into direct sales and indirect sales. Direct sales segment dominates the market in 2024, due to demand for customization and increasing technical support.
 

• Manufacturers are focusing on customized solutions and strong after-sales support, leading direct sales to become a preferred channel for industrial applications on a large scale. Direct sales allow for creating strong, long-term customer relationships, guaranteeing repeat business and customer loyalty.
   
• Distributors remain essential in making wider markets available, providing a full product line, and fulfilling basic services such as inventory management and technical assistance. The availability of e-commerce platforms has transformed online sales into an expanding sector, with the benefits of convenience, wider product lines, and competitive prices, which greatly appeal to SMEs.  

The United States led the 76% share of the North American worm gear drive market and crossed USD 650 million in 2024, driven by industrial automation, energy efficiency demands, renewable energy growth, rising electric vehicle (EV) adoption, construction expansion, and a focus on safety in critical applications.
 

• Industrial automation in U.S. manufacturing is a major driving force, with increasing usage of automated production lines, robot systems, and material handling systems driving demand for high-accuracy worm gears in small size.
   
• Automotive sector is shifting towards electric vehicles, also fueling the worm gears growth. Valued for its reduced size and heavy torque output, worm gearing plays a popular part in drivelines, steer axes, and adjustable seats, therefore making them unavoidable in changing auto marketplace.
   
• According to the International Council on Clean Transportation, U.S. sales of new electric light-duty vehicles hit approximately 1.4 million in 2023, a rise from nearly 1 million in 2022, translating to a sales share of roughly 9%. The electric vehicle market's growth varied across states nationwide.     
   

Europe: Increasing trends toward manufacturing automation, boom in automotive sector, increasing construction activities along with demand for heavy-duty machinery are the factors significantly propelling the growth of European worm gear drive market. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association, global car sales grew by nearly 10% in 2023, exceeding 72 million units, as supply chain issues eased. 18.6% growth in European sales was fueled by expansion in both EU and Eastern European markets. Russia and Ukraine, after declining sharply in 2022, demonstrated significant growth, while Türkiye experienced a 63.2% jump, coming close to one million units sold.
 

Worm Gear Drive Market Share

• The top five companies in Bornemann, Boston Gear, Rhein-Getriebe, Dalton Gear, and Cleveland Gear collectively hold a share of 8%- 12% in the market.
   
• These companies continue to acquire and merge with others, expand facilities, and make various collaborations to increase their product offerings, access customer bases, and secure their market positions.
   
• In January 2025, Sumitomo Corporation and Sumitomo Corporation of Americas announced the full acquisition of Werner Aero. Werner Aero became a wholly owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Corporation of Americas, solidifying its position as a key player in the aircraft aftermarket sector. This strategic move reflects Sumitomo's commitment to capitalizing on the growing demand for used aircraft parts driven by global aviation recovery and supply chain challenges.   
   
• To improve the services and market share key players are constantly investing in technological activities and are also entering into partnerships to provide improved and better solutions for the customers. These investments are benefiting both companies and customers as they help develop and offer solutions as per the changing technological trends and thus the customer requirements.
   
• In February 2024, B&D Industrial announce the recent acquisition of American Gear & Engineering, a premier gear manufacturing organization located in Westland, Michigan. This strategic move marks a significant step in B&D Industrial's commitment to vertical integration, enabling the company to provide an expanded range of offerings and greater value to its customers.
   

Worm Gear Drive Market Companies

Major players operating in the worm gear drive industry are:

• American Gear
• AmTech
• Baart
• Bonfiglioli
• Bornemann
• Boston Gear
• Cleveland Gear
• Dalton Gear
• Flender
• Renold
• Rhein-Getriebe
• Rossi
• Shacha Technoforge
• Sumitomo
• Welter Zahnrad        
   

Worm Gear Drive Industry News

• In October 2024, Bonfiglioli the Indian subsidiary of Bonfiglioli Group, will be investing more than USD 2.5 Bn for setting up new facilities in Chennai and Pune. The new facility will feature advanced machinery and cater to growing domestic demand for heavy-duty industrial gearboxes.
   
• In January 2024, Baart Industrial Group launched the Vortex VMRV series of worm gear speed reducers. These compact, low-noise reducers are designed for applications like food processing, packaging, and automation. The modular design simplifies installation and maintenance, with sizes ranging from 30mm to 110mm and ratios from 5:1 to 100:1. The aluminum alloy housing is lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and heat-dissipating.
   
• In October 2023, Boston Gear introduced the SS700 Gen2, the latest version of its 700 Series Worm Gear Speed Reducer. Made from 316-grade stainless steel, it features a Domed Crown design to prevent liquid pooling during washdowns, offering improved durability and hygiene for food and beverage applications.   
   

This worm gear drive market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecasts in terms of revenue (USD Billion) and volume (Million Units) from 2021 to 2034, for the following segments:

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Market, By Gear Type

• Non-throated worm gears
• Single throated worm gear
• Double throat worm gears

Market, By Product Type

• Housed units
• Gearsets
• High speed worms    

Market, By Material

• Cast iron
• Alloy steel 
• Carbon steel
• Aluminum
• Others (brass etc.)   

Market, By Application

• Conveyors
• Elevators and hoists
• Automated machinery
• Automotive systems
• Gate controls
• Others (guitars etc.)     

Market, By End Use Industry

• Manufacturing
• Automotive
• Mining
• Aerospace
• Construction & material handling
• Others (renewable energy etc.)    

Market, By Distribution Channel

• Direct sales
• Indirect sales          

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • UK
  • Germany
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Australia 
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico 
• MEA
  • UAE
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa