What Gleason Corporation does

Gleason Corporation is a privately held industrial manufacturer founded in 1865 and headquartered in Rochester, NY, that provides Total Gear Solutions spanning design, manufacturing, and metrology. Its product portfolio covers bevel and cylindrical gear manufacturing machines (hobbing, grinding, power skiving, shaping, honing, chamfering, bevel cutting), gear metrology systems (analytical inspection, laser/hybrid metrology, single and double flank testing), automation (ARC series loaders), cutting tools, workholding, and plastic gears. The company operates a proprietary Smart Loop Ecosystem that connects its KISSsoft design software, GAMA inspection software, KTEPS noise evaluation software, and manufacturing machines via closed-loop digital-twin feedback for automatic parameter correction and lights-out production. Wholly-owned subsidiaries operate in Germany (Gleason-Pfauter Maschinenfabrik GmbH, Gleason Cutting Tools GmbH) and Switzerland (Gleason Switzerland AG), with additional US operations added through the 2025 Intra Group acquisition (Michigan, UK, California).

The business model is predominantly industrial capital equipment sales supported by a global direct field sales and service organization, with quote-based pricing, multi-year contracts, captive tooling, software licensing (KISSsoft, GAMA, KTEPS), and recurring service revenue including Gleason Connect remote monitoring, Gear Schools training, and online spare parts storefronts in the Americas and Europe. Primary customer segments are aerospace and defense, automotive (including EV powertrains), robotics and humanoid automation, medical, and marine/industrial OEMs. Key differentiators include the broadest gear manufacturing portfolio in the industry, 160 years of accumulated application expertise, closed-loop integration between design and production, and new product launches in 2025-2026 targeting humanoid robotics (80PS, 175GMS nano), heavy commercial vehicles (Phoenix 500C), long-shaft manufacturing (250HL), and in-process hard finishing inspection (HFC).

Name

Gleason Corporation

Legal name

Gleason Corporation

Website

https://gleason.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1865

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Gleason Corporation is a privately held industrial manufacturer (founded 1865, Rochester NY) providing Total Gear Solutions — design software, manufacturing machines, metrology, automation, tools, and workholding — to aerospace, automotive, robotics, medical, and marine customers worldwide via a direct global sales and service network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Gear Manufacturing Machinery and Metrology

NAICS

Machine Tool Manufacturing (333517), All Other Miscellaneous General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing (333998)

SIC

Special Industry Machinery, Nec (3559), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Metrology, Inspection & Machine Tool Accessories (CMMs, Probing, Gauging) (IMAHADAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Grinding, Honing & Superfinishing Equipment (IMAHADAE), Dimensional Inspection Software (GD&T, SPC, Reporting) (IMAAAHAD)

Keywords

• Gear manufacturing machines
• Gear metrology systems
• Gear cutting tools
• Bevel gear cutting
• Gear design software

Headquarters

HQ city

Rochester

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Gear Manufacturing Machines: Sale of bevel and cylindrical gear manufacturing machines including hobbing, grinding, power skiving, shaping, and other gear processing equipment for industrial applications.
2. Metrology Systems: Sale of gear metrology and inspection equipment including GMS series, laser inspection systems, single and double flank testing systems for quality control in gear manufacturing.
3. Cutting Tools and Workholding: Sale of cutting tools including hobs, milling cutters, grinding wheels, and workholding systems for gear manufacturing.
4. Software Licenses (KISSsoft, GAMA): KISSsoft gear design and simulation software licensing for gear engineering and calculation.
5. Automation Systems: Sale of automation systems including ARC, AR, ARD, and ARP series for machine tool loading and robotic material handling.
6. Service and Support: Customer service including hotline support, spare parts, monitoring and analysis, spindle services, tooling services, training, and modernization programs.
7. Manufacturing Services: Gear manufacturing services and mechanical manufacturing for customers requiring outsourced production.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Gleason Corporation manufactures and sells Total Gear Solutions for industrial gear production, encompassing design/simulation software (KISSsoft), bevel and cylindrical gear manufacturing machines (hobbing, power skiving, profile grinding, threaded wheel grinding, gear honing, bevel cutting), gear metrology and inspection systems (GMS series, GRSL laser inspection, Intra double flank testers), cutting tools, workholding, automation systems, and supporting software (GAMA, KTEPS). The offering is integrated through a Smart Loop Ecosystem that connects design, manufacturing, and inspection via digital twins and closed-loop feedback.

Product overview

Gleason Corporation offers Total Gear Solutions, providing the industry's broadest choice of gear manufacturing technologies through an integrated ecosystem. The portfolio centers on design/simulation software (KISSsoft), cylindrical machines (power skiving: 80PS/100PS/300PS/400-800PS; profile grinding: 1200G/1600G; threaded wheel grinding: Genesis GX Series; gear honing: 260HMS; hobbing: 250HL; bevel machines: Phoenix 500C), metrology systems (175GMS/300GMS/300GMSP/475GMSP nano, GMSL laser series, GRSL laser inspection, Intra DFT/DFTX acquired systems, HFC Hard Finishing Cell), automation (ARC Series), workholding, cutting tools, and software (GAMA analysis, KTEPS noise evaluation). A unique Smart Loop Ecosystem connects design, manufacturing and metrology via digital twins, enabling closed-loop feedback between inspection systems and production machines (GX grinding, power skiving, honing) for automatic quality corrections. Services include training (Gear Schools, Gear Trainer Webinars) and Gleason Connect remote support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• KISSsoft: Gear design and simulation software for gear and transmission design, calculation, and optimization.
• GAMA
• KTEPS
• Gleason Connect
• Genesis
• Phoenix
• Intra

Products and services

• 80PS Power Skiving Machine Highly flexible power skiving, hobbing, and profile milling machine for small internal and external gears used in humanoid robotics, strain wave, planetary, and cycloidal gearboxes. Converts to hobbing in under 2 minutes.
• 1200G and 1600G Profile Grinding Machines Profile grinding machines for gears up to 1,600mm diameter with high-performance grinding heads and Auto Servo Tuning for fast changeovers.
• 100PS Power Skiving Machine Power skiving solution for shafts and small internal/external gears.
• 300PS Power Skiving Machine Universal power skiving machine with easy automation capabilities.
• 400PS to 600/800PS Power Skiving Machines High-capacity power skiving machines for medium and large-sized gears.
• Phoenix 500C Bevel Gear Cutting Machine Bevel gear cutting machine for spiral bevel gears up to 500mm OD, designed for medium to large truck and bus size gears with enhanced stiffness and faster machine motions.
• 250HL Hobbing Machine Hobbing machine designed for long shafts up to 2,350mm and disc-type parts, featuring ease of operation and maximum flexibility.
• Genesis GX Series Threaded Wheel Grinding Machines Genesis 200GX and 260GX threaded wheel grinding machines combining maximum productivity with minimized idle and setup times, featuring double spindle concept and closed-loop connectivity to Gleason metrology systems.
• 260HMS Gear Honing Machine Single spindle honing machine with integrated B-axis for gear flank modifications, supporting diameters up to 270mm, modules up to 6mm, and lengths up to 450mm, with Combi Honing and super finishing capability.
• 175GMS nano Gear Metrology System Compact gear metrology system for complete inspection of gears up to 175mm diameter and shaft-type gears up to 480mm length, with 3D scanning probes, surface roughness measurement, CMM capabilities, and closed-loop connectivity.
• 300GMS nano Gear Metrology System Gear metrology system for complete inspection of gears up to 300mm diameter and shafts up to 500mm length with submicron-level repeatability exceeding VDI/VDE2612 standards.
• 300GMSP nano Gear Metrology System Production floor inspection system with results comparable to lab quality, featuring integrated compensation for thermal and vibratory dynamics, skidless probe, and waviness analysis.
• 475GMSP Gear Metrology System Production floor gear inspection system for parts up to 475mm diameter and 650mm length, with robotic/cobot loading enabling lights-out production up to 90% equipment utilization.
• GMSL Series Gear Metrology System Multi-sensor inspection system incorporating laser technology for 3D scanning, faster development of complex gears, reverse engineering, and fine pitch gear inspection without master gear, handling parts up to 300mm diameter.
• GRSL Gear Rolling System with Laser Technology Combines dual flank rolling inspection with non-contact laser technology for optical pitch, lead, and profile inspection in seconds, enabling up to 100% analytical inspection for parts up to 250mm diameter.
• Intra DFT Double Flank Testing Systems Double flank testing systems for inline 100% part inspection with single or twin spindle configurations for compound gears or component-to-component testing, acquired from Intra Group.
• HFC Hard Finishing Cell Fully-automated hard finishing cell with in-process gear inspection and closed-loop corrections, featuring real-time analysis, automatic feedback to production machine, and integration of GRSL laser inspection with washing, marking, and NOK part drawers.
• ARC Series Cart Loaded Automation Machine tool loaders providing maximum capability and flexibility for cellular automation with six-axis high-speed robot, available in 70ARC (7kg), 120ARC (12kg), and 250ARC (25kg) payload models.
• Carbide Cutting Tools Shank-type and bore-type carbide hobs with module range 0.25-8 and quality grades A-AAAA, plus milling cutters, shaper cutters, and power skiving tools.
• Power Skiving Workholding Systems Modular and customized workholding solutions for power skiving covering internal machining up to 850mm and external machining up to 530mm clamping diameter.
• KISSsoft Gear Design Software Gear and transmission design software for geometry design, strength calculation, and system-based calculations, including the KISSsoft System Module for gearbox kinematics definition.
• Gleason Connect Remote Services Global support services platform providing remote monitoring, analysis, and machine communication for Gleason equipment.
• Gleason Gear Schools Training Program Professional training program for cylindrical and bevel gear technology offered at facilities in Rockford IL, Hartford CT, San Antonio TX, Munich, and Ludwigsburg (Germany).

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% inspection capability with GRSL laser technology enabling up to 100% analytical inspection of high-demand applications
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

AI capability11 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Intra Group of CompaniescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGleason acquired the Intra Group of Companies (including entities in Michigan, the UK, and California) in July 2025 to enhance its metrology solutions for aerospace and defense sectors. The acquisition aims to expand Gleason's market presence and develop joint technological advancements in gear inspection systems.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Liebherr: Operates gear cutting and gear hobbing/shaping machines (including the former Hofler product line) for large-module industrial and wind energy gears. Direct competitor in heavy-duty bevel and cylindrical gear manufacturing equipment.
• Renishaw: UK-based supplier of probing systems, position encoders, and industrial metrology equipment. Competes with Gleason's GMS metrology systems in precision measurement for industrial manufacturing.
• Romax Technology (Hexagon): Transmission and gearbox design/simulation software now part of Hexagon. Direct competitor to KISSsoft for gear and drivetrain engineering software used by automotive and industrial OEMs.
• Klingelnberg: German-based gear technology company offering cylindrical and bevel gear machines, gear metrology systems, and gear cutting tools. Closest direct competitor to Gleason across machines and metrology, serving the same automotive, aerospace, and industrial customers.
• Mitsubishi Heavy Industries: Manufactures gear cutting machines (hobbing, shaping, skiving, grinding) and is a long-standing direct competitor to Gleason in automotive and industrial gear manufacturing equipment, particularly in Asia.
• KAPP Werkzeugmaschinen (Nidec): Specialist in profile and worm grinding machines for high-precision gears, now part of Nidec. Direct competitor in gear grinding equipment, particularly for automotive and aerospace applications.
• Samputensili: Italian supplier of cylindrical gear machines, gear cutting tools, and power skiving solutions under the Mario Frigerio group. Competes directly with Gleason in cylindrical gear manufacturing equipment and tooling.

Broad incumbents

• Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence: Provides broad industrial metrology, CMM, and manufacturing software solutions. Competes with Gleason's metrology and software offerings across automotive and aerospace customers as a broad-line incumbent.
• Sandvik Coromant: Division of Sandvik manufacturing metal cutting tools and tooling systems. Competes with Gleason's Cutting Tools business in hobs, milling cutters, and other carbide tooling used for gear manufacturing.
• Zeiss Industrial Metrology: Global metrology leader offering CMMs, optical and CT inspection systems. Competes with Gleason's GMS series in industrial metrology, though Zeiss does not specialize in gear-specific inspection.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/gleasontweets
• Facebookfacebook.com/1486618531575655
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-gleason-works

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A3 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Gleason Corporation