Harmonic Drive

Milestones

1996

The company is certified for the first time according to the DIN EN ISO 9001 standard. This logical step for the company serves also to document the high internal quality standard outside the company as well. The improvement of key business processes and structures well beyond the requirements of the standard continues under the title „Total Quality Management".

1998

There are further major investments in modern CNC machine tools, special tooling, measuring machines and inspection equipment for the development and production of Harmonic Drive gears. Further highly qualified personnel are employed and trained to maintain the high quality standard. These measures enable the development and manufacture of complete actuators and custom-made motion control systems in addition to gears and actuators.

1999

Harmonic Drive Antriebstechnik GmbH becomes Harmonic Drive AG. The transformation into a joint-stock company provides the basis for further expansion of the company and also to increase transparency. This, in turn, serves to strengthen the trust of our customers in the stable future of the company. Until today the majority of the company´s shares is privately owned.

2001

The development of new products is a major contribution to the best annual result since the company was founded. The daughter company Micromotion GmbH is founded in Mainz-Gonsenheim, Germany, which specialises in the development and manufacturing of high precision micro-gears using the LIGA process.

2002

At the end of the year 150 people are employed by Harmonic Drive AG. Compared to 1997, the number of employees has doubled. Also in the future our customers will be the focus of the activities of all working in and for Harmonic Drive AG.

2004

Daughter companies are established in order to expand our sales activities in Great Britain, France and Italy. A further daughter company, Harmonic Drive Polymer GmbH, is established in Hallstadt in order to develop the market for Harmonic Drive precision gears manufactured in plastic. Harmonic Drive AG now has 175 employees and successfully implements an integrated management system comprising quality assurance, environmental, protection, worker safety and aerospace.

2006

In November 2006 the brand new Design and Technology Development Centre was opened at Harmonic Drive AG. With these measures in place, the stage is now set for further technological enhancements in the design and development of precision gears and actuators. Ovalo GmbH, a 100% subsidiary of Harmonic Drive AG is to be established. The new company develops and industrialises customer specific gears and mechatronical gear systems for use in large scale applications.

2007

To support sales activities abroad, Harmonic Drive Austria GmbH based in Vienna and Harmonic Drive Espana S.L.U. in Bilbao were established.

2008

This year a further action will be made to secure a sustainable and future oriented company management. Reinhard Ernst will change from President of the Board to President of the Board of Directors. At the same time a new President of the Board will be appointed with Ekrem Sirman (President) and Masanao Kobayashi (Vice President).

2009

The increasing business activities of Ovalo require a larger production area. For this reason foundations will be laid at the end of 2008 for a new plant in Limburg-Offheim and will be ready in November 2009. Ovalo will be certified under ISO/TS 16949:2002. The companies of Harmonic Drive AG employ 330 workers.