NORTH CANTON, Ohio, Dec. 7, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — The Timken Company (NYSE: TKR), a global industrial leader in engineered bearings and power transmission products, is experiencing strong growth in its linear motion product line, with 2021 sales expected to increase by more than 20 percent compared to 2020. With the acquisition of Rollon in 2018, Timken diversified its power transmission portfolio with engineered linear motion products. As a leader in highly customized linear motion guides, telescopic rails, actuators and systems, Rollon has expanded growth opportunities in attractive market sectors such as robotics and automation.
Timken expects that secular trends and targeted initiatives will continue to drive strong organic sales growth in linear motion products, with an estimated double-digit compound annual growth rate (CAGR) through 2025i. Rollon’s robust customization capabilities, strong market mix, new applications and increasing demand are driving this outgrowth, particularly in process industries like the logistics, automation, medical, food and beverage, and packaging segments.
“The acquisition of Rollon enabled our successful entry into the linear motion market sector and its unique offering has led to big wins – for Timken and the industry partners we serve through these products,” said Hans Landin, Timken group vice president. “We’re providing proven product innovation and reliability across industries and advancing as a technical leader in the power transmission space.”
Sixteen of the world’s 20 largest warehouse automation equipment manufacturers integrate a wide range of Rollon solutions into their systems and the company has significantly increased annual sales to customers in the logistics, automation and medical industries, with products like:
- Customized modular telescopic units and actuators used in equipment that moves totes in large warehousing operations.
- Telescopic compact rails that help medical personnel move patients in and out of beds in hospital critical care units.
- Seated traction systems on exercise bicycles used for patient rehabilitation.
- Drawer extraction systems in nuclear medicine machines.
Rollon has emerged as the brand of choice for these and other linear motion use cases because of its technical problem-solving capabilities, superior quality and reliability and customized solutions to help ensure safe and reliable operations. Timken’s recent acquisition of Intelligent Machine Solutions (iMS), a manufacturer of industrial robotics solutions, is expected to further support growth, as its products bolster Rollon’s linear motion capabilities with a specific focus on factory automation.