For 125 years, Winsmith has designed, and manufactured premium gearboxes that keep North American industry moving. With one clear focus: Gearing excellence. Products are engineered for the long haul and backed by experts who understand your application, and stay invested in your success.
Winsmith was founded in 1901 by Winfield H. Smith in Buffalo, New York.
The company’s early product line included arbor presses, pulleys, display tables, and cut-tooth gears, the building blocks of a century of industrial gearing expertise. In 1924, operations moved to Springville, NY, where Winsmith began its transformation into a dedicated gearbox manufacturer. Today, Winsmith spans three U.S. manufacturing locations, including Springville, NY; Flowery Branch, GA; and Asheville, NC.
Winsmith is proud to be part of HBD Industries, a privately held diversified manufacturer of highly engineered products. Through HBD’s family of companies, we provide strength, stability, and resources of a global industrial organization, enabling us to deliver innovative power transmission solutions and exceptional support to our customers.
125 Years of Gearing Excellence
1901
Winfield H. Smith founds the company in Buffalo, New York. Early products include arbor presses, pulleys, and cut-tooth gears, the foundation of a manufacturing legacy.
1921
Catalog evidence indicates gearbox and speed reducer production was already underway, with “A” Line Reducers among the earliest documented gearing products.
1924
Operations relocate to Springville, NY, where Winsmith deepens its focus on precision gearbox manufacturing.
1940
Winsmith supports World War II efforts from its Springville factory, reinforcing the company’s role in American industrial production during a critical moment in history.
1946
The company officially adopts the Winsmith name, marking a new chapter of focused identity and growth in the industrial gearing market.
1963
Winsmith operates as a division of Universal Match Company (UMC) Industries, cementing its standing as a recognized leader in the drives industry, manufacturing worm gear solutions.
1970s – 1980s
Winsmith gearboxes find their way into landmark applications, including Ontario Power Generation at Niagara Falls and a large-scale solar array project, showcasing the breadth of industries Winsmith serves. Yogi Berra lends his name to a Winsmith product marketing campaign during this era.
1980s – 1990s
“Winsmith joined HBD Industries in 1989 when HBD was formed from HK Porter, which had acquired Winsmith in 1985.” A 1989 press release documents Winsmith’s expanded product range, including inline concentric and planetary gearing. The company continues to build its reputation for custom solutions and legacy gearbox support.
2000s – 2010s
Manufacturing capabilities expand to Flowery Branch, GA and Asheville, NC. SE Encore product family introduced.
2020s
New helical inline (HXI), helical bevel (HXB), and aluminum speed reducer lines are introduced. RD, SCD, and SGM product families are introduced.
Today
Since Winsmith’s inception 125 years ago, it remains the trusted North American gearbox manufacturer for OEMs, distributors, and engineers who need precision, reliability, and a partner who picks up the phone.
Made Exactly For Your Needs
Why Winsmith | Gearbox Experts, By Choice
We don't try to be everything to everyone.
By focusing exclusively on gearboxes, we’ve built deep expertise in solving complex application challenges that other manufacturers can’t match. This is all we do, and that’s exactly why we do it so well. Here is what that focus means for you:
Application Expertise
Our application experts dig into torque, speed, dimensional fit, and operating environment to guide you toward the right industrial gearbox, not just one that’s close enough.
Learn MoreCustom Speed Reducers
From simple modifications to high-precision, fully engineered designs, we collaborate with you from concept through delivery.
Learn MoreFlexible, Nimble, and Easy
We're the customer-focused more responsive partner who moves fast, makes it personal, and solves your problem without the runaround.
Learn MoreLegacy Support
We actively support older units, pulling original drawings to keep decades-old machinery running smoothly.
Learn MoreDFAR-Compliant Solutions
We actively support older units, pulling original drawings to keep decades-old machinery running smoothly.
Learn MoreOur People
Excellent Products Come From Excellent Employees.
At Winsmith, we believe the strength of what we build starts with the people who build it. Our workforce is amultigenerational, close-knit community of machinists, engineers, assemblers, customer service professionals, and leaders who take genuine pride in what they produce.
We foster a culture where every employee feels valued, trusted, and recognized. We strive to celebrate contributions at every level, from the shop floor to the front office. We know the gearboxes our customers rely on are only as good as the people behind them.
This is a place where people grow. Where mentors invest in careers. Where colleagues rally around each other in good times and hard ones. And where doing the right thing isn’t a policy, it’s just how we operate.
Perfection Gear | Expanding Our Gearing Expertise
Perfection Gear is our sister company that extends our expertise to swing drives, rotation drives, slewing rings, and winch solutions for aerial lift, crane, utility truck, and other heavy industrial applications. While Winsmith focuses on precision gearboxes for broad industrial use, Perfection Gear is purposebuilt for demanding rotational and slewing motion challenges.
Together, Winsmith and Perfection Gear provide OEMs and end users withaccess to a broader range of trusted, application-focused solutions, backed by the same commitment to quality, durability, and responsive support. Whether you need a proven standard product or a custom solution, Perfection Gear brings specialized expertise in gearing solutions to applications where reliable rotational performance is critical.
Winsmith in the News and Indusry Press
Recognized Legacy.
Winsmith is recognized across the industrial gearing industry for technical leadership, manufacturing excellence, and application innovation. From trade publications to case studies, explore how our products and people are\ shaping the future of North American gearbox manufacturing.