Nexen Group

What Nexen Group does

Nexen Group, Inc. is a privately-held, family-owned US manufacturer of precision motion control and power transmission components, headquartered in Vadnais Heights, Minnesota, with manufacturing concentrated in a state-of-the-art facility in Webster, Wisconsin housing over 80 multi-axis CNC machine tools. The company traces its lineage to Horton Manufacturing (founded 1902) and was reorganized into Nexen Group in 1999 by Hugh (Hutch) K. Schilling, Jr.

The portfolio is organized into four product categories: Rotary Motion Control (rotary indexers, roller pinion gears, precision brakes, harmonic gearheads), Linear Motion Control (roller pinion racks, profile rail brakes, rod locks), Power Transmission (friction and tooth clutches, friction brakes, torque limiters, tension control products), and the NexSafe sub-brand of ISO 13849-1 functional safety-certified products. The flagship Roller Pinion System uses bearing-supported rollers engaging a patented tooth profile to deliver zero backlash, 99% mechanical efficiency, accuracy better than 2.2 arc-seconds, and tangential velocities up to 11 m/s; the proprietary Raydent coating enables lube-free operation at moderate speeds. NexSafe servomotor brakes, profile rail brakes, and rod locks are certified by Intertek to ISO 13849-1 Category 4 / Performance Level e.

Nexen operates a hybrid go-to-market: direct e-commerce via its website with full CAD/technical documentation downloads for registered users, a global network of independent distributors and trained sales representatives, and wholly-owned regional sales offices in Wemmel, Belgium (Europe) and Tokyo, Japan (Japan/Korea/Taiwan), with an authorized distributor covering Australia/Southeast Asia/New Zealand. Customers span aerospace, robotics and factory automation, medical equipment, machine tools, automotive production, packaging/material handling, semiconductor fabrication, solar/renewable energy, and mining OEMs. The company is ISO 9001:2015 certified and CE/REACH/RoHS compliant. No public revenue is disclosed.

Name

Nexen Group

Legal name

Nexen Group, Inc.

Website

https://nexengroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Nexen Group is a privately-held, family-owned US manufacturer of precision motion control and power transmission components—including patented Roller Pinion Systems and ISO 13849-1-certified NexSafe safety products—serving aerospace, robotics, medical, and machine tool OEMs globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Precision Motion Control & Power Transmission Components

NAICS

Mechanical Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing (333613), Speed Changer, Industrial High-Speed Drive, and Gear Manufacturing (333612), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)

SIC

Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620), Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)

akta.pro primary industry

Motion & Machine Control (CNC, Robotics Controllers, Servo/Motion Controllers) (IMAGABAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Gearmotors, Gearboxes & Speed Reducers (IMAGACAF), Brakes, Clutches & Couplings (Electromagnetic Brakes, Torque Limiters) (IMAGACAK)

Keywords

• Precision motion control
• Power transmission products
• Roller pinion systems
• Linear motion components
• Industrial braking systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Minnesota City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Precision Motion Control Components: Nexen Group generates revenue through the sale of precision motion control components including rotary indexers, roller pinion gears, precision brakes, gearheads, linear motion products, power transmission products, and safety certified NexSafe products. Products are sold through direct e-commerce, distributors, and sales representatives globally.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Nexen Group manufactures and sells precision motion control and power transmission components for industrial automation. Its portfolio includes rotary indexers, roller pinion gears and racks, precision brakes (ball screw, shaft, servomotor, and electric), harmonic gearheads, friction clutches and brakes, torque limiters, and tension control products. The company also offers its NexSafe sub-brand of ISO 13849-1 functional safety certified braking products for machine builders requiring certified safety performance.

Product overview

Nexen Group is a manufacturer of precision motion control and power transmission products organized into four main product categories. The Rotary Motion Control line includes Rotary Indexers, Roller Pinion Gears, Precision Brakes (Ball Screw Brakes, Shaft Brakes, Servomotor Brakes, and Evolve Electric Servomotor Brakes), and Harmonic Gearheads. The Linear Motion Control category features Roller Pinion Racks and Linear Precision Brakes (Profile Rail Brakes and Rod Locks). Power Transmission products encompass Clutches (Friction and Tooth), Friction Brakes (Rotary, Drum, and Caliper), Friction Clutch-Brakes, Torque Limiters (Pneumatic and Mechanical), and Tension Control products (Brakes, Clutches, and Web Controls). The NexSafe sub-brand provides ISO 13849-1 safety-certified versions of Servomotor Brakes, Profile Rail Brakes, and Rod Locks for functional safety applications. Accessories include Pneumatic Control Accessories and Linear Couplings. Products are designed for industrial motion control applications including aerospace, robotics, medical, machine tools, automotive, factory automation, packaging, and material handling.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NexSafe: Functional safety certified products line providing verified, reliable safety solutions for machine builders with ISO 13849-1 certification by Intertek.
• Evolve
• Ring Drive
• Eclipse
• Air Champ

Products and services

• Rotary Indexers High-precision rotary indexing systems based on patented Roller Pinion technology, including Nexen Ring Drive (Compact Precision Ring Drive and Precision Ring Drive) with integrated precision bearing and drive mechanism in a rigid housing. For industrial machine builders needing high-speed, high-torque, zero-backlash indexing.
• Roller Pinion Gears Patented rack and roller pinion system maintaining high repeatable accuracy with zero backlash over longer distances and quieter operation at high speeds. Includes Geared Bearings (full ring gear integrated with high-capacity cross-roller bearing) and Gears/Gear segments configurations.
• Precision Brakes (Ball Screw, Shaft, Servomotor) High-torque, spring-engaged, air-released brakes acting on ball screw ends, shafts, or between motor and linear device (Eclipse servomotor brakes). Serves as redundant safety brake in Z-axis and holding applications in power-off situations.
• Evolve Electric Servomotor Brake Spring engaged, electrically released brake with zero backlash up to full holding torque, featuring double-sided friction interface for increased torque capacity and double row angular contact bearing for overhung load capacity. Configurable to match servo/stepper motor and gearhead mating interfaces.
• Harmonic Gearheads True zero backlash gearheads with high reduction ratios of 50/80/100/120:1, using cross-roller-bearing technology for maximum rigidity and load capacities. Provides up to 70% reduction in length over standard gearheads.
• Roller Pinion Racks Patented rack and pinion linear motion system with bearing-supported rollers engaging two rack teeth simultaneously for greater efficiency, longer life, and outstanding accuracy. Available in linear and curved configurations.
• Profile Rail Brakes Spring-engaged linear profile guide rail brakes using spring force to secure loads in holding applications, with superior response time and high stopping force. Compatible with rail products from over 18 major rail manufacturers.
• Rod Locks Spring engaged, air released rod locks offering precision holding with guide rod systems and NFPA or ISO cylinders, with large clamping surface for consistent performance. B10 life of 1-4 million cycles.
• Friction Clutches Single-disc, self-adjusting clutches with torque ratings to 5000 inlb and thermal capacities to 2.5 thermal horsepower, available in sheave, pilot, or coupling mount versions.
• Tooth Clutches Single or multiple position tooth clutches with open or nickel-plated enclosed housings, available in standard and metric models with torque up to 72,000 in-lbs.
• Rotary Brakes Air or spring-engaged shaft-mounted friction brakes with tapered bores accepting QD bushings or straight bored disc hubs, providing torque up to 10,000 inlbs.
• Drum Brakes Diaphragm-sealed actuator brakes with brake shoes on drum surface providing torque up to 3750 inlbs, featuring hinge top models for easy roll changes.
• Caliper Brakes Disc brakes for controlled deceleration, cyclic stopping, holding, emergency stops, and tension control with torque up to 50,000 inlbs and multiple disc diameters up to 24 inches.
• Friction Clutch-Brakes Combined friction clutch and brake in single unit with pilot mount, sheave mount and pilot mount with coupling half options, adaptable to NEMA and IEC motor frames.
• Pneumatic Torque Limiters Pneumatically engaged single-position torque limiters with ball/detent clutches equipped with overload sensors, providing up to 3,130 Nm disengagement torque.
• Mechanical Torque Limiters Torque limiters protecting drive and driven components from damage associated with torque overloads caused by material jams or operator error.
• Tension Control Brakes High thermal capacity brakes for web processing applications, designed to dissipate heat with multiple actuators for versatile precise tension control. Up to 35,280 in-lbs dynamic torque.
• Tension Control Clutches Modular pneumatic tension control clutches designed for continuous winding operations with fine torque control and 500:1 tension control range.
• Web Controls Closed-loop load cell-based tension control products using torque to control tension of paper, film, foil, or fabric in web processing machines, with web tension accuracy of 1-2% with load cell system and 8-10% with open-loop system.
• NexSafe Servomotor Brakes Spring engaged, air released servomotor brakes safety certified to ISO 13849-1 by Intertek, achieving Category Level 4 and Performance Level e, with optional operating mode sensors for engagement/disengagement feedback and Industry 4.0 compatibility.
• NexSafe Profile Rail Brakes Safety rated linear profile guide rail brakes using spring force for holding applications, certified to ISO 13849-1 with B10D life of 4 million cycles. Optional operating mode sensors for Industry 4.0 integration.
• NexSafe Rod Locks Safety certified static rod locks delivering precision holding with virtually no backlash, ISO 13849-1 certified to Category Level 4 and Performance Level e by Intertek.
• Pneumatic Control Accessories Pneumatic accessories for easy connections, servicing, and trouble-free performance of Nexen products.
• Linear Couplings Misalignment control couplings protecting equipment by controlling misalignment in linear motors, ballscrew actuators, pneumatic cylinders, and rods or sensors.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99% efficiency for Roller Pinion Systems
• +10 more outcomes

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• IntertekcoreOthersIntertek provides ISO 13849-1 functional safety certification for Nexen Group's NexSafe product line. NexSafe products are certified by Intertek to comply with international safety standard ISO 13849-1, achieving Category Level up to 4 and Performance Level up to e.
• Norman G. Clark (A/Asia) Pty. Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNorman G. Clark (A/Asia) Pty. Ltd. is an authorized distributor of Nexen Group products covering Australia, South East Asia, and New Zealand. Located at 44 Kylta Road, West Heidelberg, Victoria 3081, Australia.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• NSK Ltd. Global manufacturer of bearings, linear motion, and precision components. Comparable in precision motion and power transmission, and listed as one of Nexen's profile-rail integration partners.
• Bosch Rexroth: A global leader in factory automation, motion control, linear motion, and drives. Direct competitor across Nexen's portfolio including linear rails, gearheads, and motion control components, with much broader scale and channel reach.
• HIWIN Technologies Corp. Taiwanese manufacturer of linear guides, ball screws, and motion control components. Overlaps with Nexen's roller pinion racks and profile rail brakes, particularly in factory automation.
• Harmonic Drive Systems: Specialist in harmonic drive gearing and precision speed reducers. Direct competitor in the gearhead category where Nexen offers its Harmonic Gearhead line.
• THK Co., Ltd. Inventor of the LM guide (linear motion) and a major supplier of linear motion components including profile rails and ball screws. Overlaps directly with Nexen's Roller Pinion Racks, Profile Rail Brakes, and Rod Locks categories.
• Wittenstein SE: German manufacturer of precision gearheads, servo actuators, and mechatronic drive systems. Closely comparable to Nexen's Harmonic Gearheads and Ring Drive product lines in precision rotary motion.
• Nabtesco Corporation: Japanese manufacturer of precision reduction gears (RV reducers, cycloidal) and motion control components for robotics and factory automation. Directly comparable to Nexen's rotary indexers and roller pinion technologies.
• Moog Inc. Specialist in precision motion control, servomotors, and electromechanical actuators for aerospace, industrial, and medical markets. Comparable to Nexen's high-precision braking, motion, and safety-certified offerings.

Broad incumbents

• Parker Hannifin: Diversified industrial manufacturer with a broad motion and control portfolio (pneumatic, electromechanical, hydraulic). Indirect competitor through overlapping motion/brake/clutch offerings across many of Nexen's industrial verticals.
• Oriental Motor: Manufacturer of motion control products including motors, gearheads, and brakes. Overlaps with Nexen's precision brakes, gearheads, and servomotor brake categories in factory automation.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCPxhR1rOAmL6HSr9Bqw3bSQ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nexen-group-inc
• Xx.com/nexengroup

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Nexen Group