Regal Rexnord’s mission is to ‘create a better tomorrow by providing sustainable solutions that power, transmit and control motion’. The company held its first European Media Day at the Bauer Gear Motor facility in Esslingen, Germany, to explain just how it does this, and how its portfolio of trusted brands offers engineers a single source of supply. Michelle Lea reports on the event…
Gone are the days when an automation engineer had the time to source different products from multiple suppliers to create powertrain solutions or automation and motion control systems. They now want one trusted supplier who offers the products and components that industrial manufacturing relies upon, from one source.
It’s a tall order, but one that Regal Rexnord and its family of trusted brands are uniquely positioned to deliver. The company is the result of a merger and an acquisition over the past four years, meaning it is not just a supplier, but a technology partner that brings together the right products, tools, expertise and support. Scott Curley, Senior VP, sales and marketing, at Regal Rexnord, describes the company’s offering. He said: “The merger of Regal Beloit and Rexnord PMC in 2021 and the acquisition of Altra Industrial Motion in 2023, created a company boasting long-standing trusted brands offering quality and reliability. This portfolio and expert knowledge brings great application expertise to our customers.”
The solutions-focused portfolio is divided into three technology areas: power, including high efficiency motors and air handling systems; transmit, including a range of high energy power transmission components; and control, comprising actuators, drives and precision control.
Curley points out that many of the brands enjoy a successful heritage, but it is still important to innovate through continuous improvement: “Brands are important, but as a corporation we want to position who Regal Rexnord is overall, as the company continues to grow. We are always looking to innovate, and develop new solutions that address customer challenges, while advancing in terms of sustainability, performance and reliability.”
Curley says the main trends influencing the industrial landscape include energy efficiency, electrification, and digital transformation, including condition monitoring, asset measurement and predictive maintenance. “Today’s systems must combine power and precision with intelligence and adaptability. They need to work in tighter spaces, integrate more easily with digital infrastructure, and deliver more value across their entire lifecycle. And all of this needs to be achieved in a way that’s scalable, reliable, and commercially viable.”
Regal Rexnord is well-positioned to help its customers take advantage of the benefits these trends bring. The company’s business is separated into three operating segments:
1. Industrial Powertrain Solutions (IPS)
2. Automation & Motion Control (AMC)
3. Power Efficiency Solutions (PES)
The product portfolio is broad, covering applications in every industry and every market. For automation applications specifically, at one end of the spectrum are highly compact, precision-critical applications, such as robotic surgical tools, wearable devices, and advanced grippers. These systems need motion solutions that are small, responsive, and ultra-efficient, which is where the Portescap™ brand excels.
Its miniature precision motors, gearheads and encoders are used in everything from powered surgical hand tools to robotic end-effectors and lab automation platforms. Built with high power density, low inertia and sterilisable construction options, Portescap solutions are designed to support high precision movements in demanding environments.
At the other end are larger-scale industrial applications like packaging automation, pick-and-place systems, and smart material handling. Here, reliable linear motion is essential, and the Thomson™ brand, provides just that.
From actuators and ball screws to precision guides and linear motion systems, Thomson’s technologies support high-speed, high-reliability movement in factory automation settings. Thomson’s solutions help OEMs and system integrators achieve better throughput, smoother operation, and more compact machinery.
Together, these technologies span the full range of mechanical motion – but in automation today, that’s only half the story.
As automation becomes more collaborative and integrated, intelligent control is just as important as precise motion. This is especially clear in factory and mobile automation, where motion, sensing, and safety must operate in harmony.
Kollmorgen™, also part of Regal Rexnord, delivers advanced motion systems that power a wide range of robotic and automated solutions.
Beyond the factory floor, Kollmorgen plays a role in the development of Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs). With control software, drives, and steering systems built specifically for mobile platforms, Kollmorgen enables responsive navigation, battery optimisation, and 5G-ready communications – transforming intralogistics and on-site material flow.
But it’s not just about mobility. Kollmorgen also supports customers working in demanding environmental conditions, from low-temperature warehousing to outdoor applications and food and beverage production, where hygienic design is essential.
What unites all of these technologies, is a focus on precision, performance, and partnership.
With brands like Portescap, Thomson, and Kollmorgen all under the Regal Rexnord umbrella, customers gain access to one of the industry’s most comprehensive portfolios, backed by teams who understand how to bring it all together.
An example of the Thomson linear motion range
The Regal Rexnord powertrain solution exemplifies the company’s single source supplier credentials. The powertrain is a unique collection of components that drive improved performance in an application. The end-to-end solution brings all the brands and products together with Regal Rexnord’s engineering support to create solutions for customers.
A vertical applications team handling application engineering, quote coordination, programme and product management, the integration of individual brands, and component selection for powertrain applications, is already established in North America, with the expansion of a European team currently in progress.
Looking to the future, Regal Rexnord’s expertise and portfolio means it is well-equipped to supply emerging markets, including humanoid technology. Curley said: “It’s a little different to the other industries and applications that we serve, but we can apply traditional motion products into new and emerging markets.”
And the company’s growth strategy? Well that’s simple. “67% of direct global customers only buy one brand, so the strategy is to sell one more brand to these customers,” concluded Curley.
