United Gear and Machine Company

What United Gear and Machine Company does

United Gear and Machine Company, Inc. is a third-generation, family-owned precision gear and spline manufacturer founded in 1954 and headquartered in a nearly 15,000 square foot facility in Suffield, Connecticut. The company serves aerospace, defense, space exploration, and commercial aerospace customers, with named relationships spanning Sikorsky, GE, Pratt & Whitney, Electric Boat, Boeing, Kaman, and Bell Helicopter. Its core function is producing mission-critical splines and gears (spur, helical, internal, worms, bevel, face, racks, mitre, sprockets, timing belt pulleys) for applications where component failure is not an option, alongside supporting services such as broaching, gear grinding, gear crowning, deburring, contract inspection, and reverse engineering of obsolete parts.

The underlying technology base is conventional precision CNC machining rather than digital manufacturing. Equipment includes Fellows 10-4, MS300, 20-6, and 36-6 CNC gear shapers, a Bourn and Koch 100H hob, a Nidec GE15A Gear Hobber, and a custom-modified 20-6 with hydraulic lifts expanding table swing to 45 inches for large parts. The shop supports parts up to 40 inches in diameter. A 2,000 square foot inspection department uses a Kapp Niles KMN 9X CMM (the largest in the facility at 1.25m diameter capacity), a Hexagon CMM, Keyence optical comparators, HEIDENHAIN readouts, and precision surface plates. Operations are AS9100 Rev D and ISO 9001:2015 certified (re-certified January 2024 through American Systems Registrar) and the company is ITAR registered, enabling DoD and export-controlled defense work.

The business model is direct B2B sales with quote-based, project-by-project pricing; customers request quotes via the company website ([email protected]) and the operation functions as a job shop handling prototypes, single-piece orders, small runs, and production orders. Revenue streams span (1) custom precision gear and spline manufacturing, (2) contract inspection services performed for customers regardless of whether United Gear produced the part, including reverse engineering, and (3) machine repair and replacement part manufacturing for broken equipment whose OEM no longer exists. Go-to-market is relationship-driven, anchored in the Connecticut aerospace corridor and supplemented by trade show participation at events such as the ACM Aerospace Alley Trade Show, Motion + Power Expo, the Made in Connecticut Manufacturing Summit, and the ARL Supplier Resource Fair, plus industry association involvement through SAE International and the National Tooling & Machining Association (CT/NTMA). Pricing is not publicly disclosed, with multi-year contracts referenced for larger engagements.

Name

United Gear and Machine Company

Legal name

United Gear and Machine Company, Inc.

Website

https://unitedgearct.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1954

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

United Gear and Machine Company is a third-generation, family-owned precision gear and spline manufacturer in Suffield, Connecticut, serving aerospace, defense, space exploration, and commercial aerospace customers, including Sikorsky, GE, Pratt & Whitney, and Electric Boat.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Precision Gear and Spline Manufacturing

NAICS

Speed Changer, Industrial High-Speed Drive, and Gear Manufacturing (333612), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419), Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413)

SIC

Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728), Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Screw Machine Products (3451)

akta.pro primary industry

Aerospace Bearings, Bushings & Motion Components (IMABANAB)

Keywords

• Precision gear manufacturing
• CNC spline machining
• Aerospace components
• Defense parts manufacturing
• Custom gear fabrication

Headquarters

HQ city

Suffield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Precision Gear Manufacturing: Custom manufacturing of precision gears and splines for aerospace, defense, and commercial aerospace customers. Job shop operation handling small batches, prototypes, and production runs.
2. Contract Inspection Services: Inspection services provided to customers regardless of whether United Gear produced the spline or gear. Includes reverse engineering capabilities.
3. Machine Repair and Reverse Engineering: Replacement part manufacturing for broken machinery where OEM no longer exists. Reverse engineering services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

United Gear and Machine Company manufactures custom precision gears and splines (spur, helical, internal, bevel, worm, rack, mitre, face, sprockets, timing belt pulleys) with tight tolerances for aerospace, defense, space exploration, and commercial aerospace customers. Operations are anchored by CNC gear shaping and hobbing equipment capable of handling parts up to 40 inches, complemented by in-house and contract inspection, gear grinding, broaching, deburring, and reverse engineering for obsolete parts.

Product overview

United Gear & Machine Co. is a precision gear and spline manufacturer serving aerospace, defense, space exploration, and commercial aerospace industries since 1954. The company operates a single-source gear manufacturing operation with capabilities for parts up to 40 inches. Their core product portfolio includes precision splines and a comprehensive range of gear types (spur, helical, internal, worms, worm gears, bevel, racks, mitre, face gears, sprockets, timing belt pulleys, keyways). Supporting services include gear grinding, broaching, gear crowning, deburring, and contract inspection. The company offers prototype and one-off manufacturing, reverse engineering for broken machine parts, and complete turnkey project capabilities. All operations are AS9100 Rev D and ISO 9001:2015 certified.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Precision Splines
• Spur Gears
• Helical Gears
• Internal Gears
• Worms and Worm Gears
• Bevel Gears
• Gear Racks
• Mitre Gears
• Sprockets
• Timing Belt Pulleys
• Face Gears
• Broaching Services
• Gear Grinding
• Gear Crowning
• Keyways
• Contract Inspection Services
• Machine Repair and Reverse Engineering
• Prototypes and One-Offs
• Deburring Services
• Turnkey Projects

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• SAE InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Gear maintains membership with SAE International. Attends conferences, utilizes online resources, and participates in training opportunities. SAE International is a global association of engineers and technical experts in aerospace, automotive, and commercial-vehicle industries.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Cone Drive (Timken): Cone Drive, a brand of Timken, is a larger established manufacturer of precision gears, gearboxes, and slewing drives serving aerospace, defense, and industrial markets globally. Comparable to United Gear in precision gear technology but operates at significantly larger scale with broader product portfolio.
• NSK Americas: NSK is a global manufacturer of bearings, motion control, and precision components with significant aerospace and defense product lines. Comparable to United Gear in motion components and aerospace customer base, but operates at much larger scale with broader portfolio.
• SKF Aerospace: SKF is a global manufacturer of bearings, seals, and motion control products serving aerospace and defense markets. Comparable to United Gear as a motion-component supplier to aerospace primes but operates at enterprise scale across a broad product portfolio.
• Bison Gear & Engineering: Bison Gear & Engineering is a US manufacturer of fractional horsepower gearmotors, gear reducers, and custom geared products. Comparable as a precision gear manufacturer but focuses on smaller enclosed gear products rather than large aerospace splines.

Direct peers

• Arrow Gear Company: Arrow Gear is a precision gear manufacturer in Downers Grove, IL, specializing in spur, helical, bevel, and worm gears for aerospace, defense, and industrial markets. Comparable to United Gear as a US-based precision gear job shop with aerospace/defense certifications.
• Gear Motions: Gear Motions is a US-based precision gear manufacturer (spur, helical, bevel, worm) serving industrial, aerospace, and defense customers from facilities in New York and Pennsylvania. Directly comparable to United Gear as a custom gear job shop targeting similar end-markets.
• Pfeifer Industries: Pfeifer Industries is a precision CNC machining and gear manufacturer serving aerospace, defense, and commercial customers from a Connecticut facility. Highly comparable to United Gear given regional overlap, aerospace/defense focus, and precision manufacturing capabilities.
• Overton Chicago Gear: Overton Chicago Gear manufactures custom precision gears and splines with capabilities including gear grinding and inspection, serving industrial, aerospace, and defense applications. Directly comparable in custom precision gear work and customer mix.
• Circle Gear & Machine: Circle Gear is a precision gear manufacturer in Chicago offering custom spur, helical, bevel, worm gears and splines. Comparable to United Gear as a domestic job shop focused on custom precision gearing with on-site inspection and reverse engineering capabilities.
• GearTec: GearTec is a precision gear manufacturer in Sterling Heights, MI, producing custom gears and splines for aerospace, defense, and industrial customers. Comparable to United Gear in product offering, customer base, and AS9100 quality certification.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/intent/post?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.unitedgearct.com%2Fnew-equipment-spotlight-nidec-ge15a-gear-hobber%2F&text=New%20Equipment%20Spotlight%3A%20Nidec%20GE15A%20Gear%20Hobber
• Facebookfacebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.unitedgearct.com%2F&t=United%20Gear%20%26%20Machine%20Co.%2C%20Inc.%20%E2%80%93%20Geared%20to%20Serve%20You%20Better!
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.unitedgearct.com%2Fnew-equipment-spotlight-nidec-ge15a-gear-hobber%2F&title=New%20Equipment%20Spotlight%3A%20Nidec%20GE15A%20Gear%20Hobber&summary=At%20UGM%2C%20we%E2%80%99re%20always%20looking%20for%20ways%20to%20enhance%20our%20capabilities%20and%20provide%20our%20customers%20with%20the%20highest-quality%20machined%20components

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 United Gear and Machine Company