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1931 – Michigan Tool Company licenses Mr Cone’s manufacturing

After news of the technology spread, Cone Drive Division built a plant in Detroit, Michigan and started production of double-enveloping worm gearing. In the 1940s, the U.S. Navy saw the space saving ability and accuracy features of Cone Drive double-enveloping worm gearing.

1950 – Traverse City facility established

During the 1940s, nearly every gun was driven by Cone Drive gearing, and by the end of WWII, Cone Drive worm gears were used in all branches of the U.S. armed forces, from aircraft to submarines. In 1950, Cone Drive’s Traverse City facility was established, which is still the company’s headquarters of today.

1959 – Ex-Cell- O acquires Michigan tool

Ex-Cell- O Corporation acquired Michigan Tool Company of which Cone Drive was a division.

1986 – Textron acquires Ex-Cell- O

After a series of mergers and acquisitions, Textron, an American global aerospace, defense, and advanced technologies industrial conglomerate, acquired Cone Drive in the 1980s. David Brown Group of the United Kingdom was acquired by Textron and joined Cone Drive as part of Textron Industrial Gears.

2008 – Clyde Blowers Capital buys gearing technology of Textron

In November 2008, the old gear technology division of Textron (including Cone Drive, AB Benzlers, and David Brown Group) was bought by Clyde Blowers Capital, an independent industrial investment firm based in East Kilbride, Scotland.

2012 – Became a platform company in the CBC Fund III portfolio

In November 2012, Cone Drive was restructured within Clyde Blowers Capital and is currently an autonomous Fund III platform, furthering modern precision motion control technology across the world.

2014 – Acquisition of H-fang

In September 2014, Cone Drive announced the acquisition of China based precision slewing drive manufacturer Jiangyin Huafang New Energy Hi-Tech Equipment Co., Ltd (H-Fang).

H-Fang is a leading precision slewing drive and precision slewing bearing manufacturer located in Jiangyin City, Jiangsu Province, China. H-Fang’s highly engineered solutions include precision slewing drives, precision slewing bearings and related components, which are applied in a wide range of precision motion control and industrial markets including solar tracking systems, construction vehicles, mobile cranes, aerial lifts and port machinery.

2015 – European office established

Cone Drive establishes an office in East Kilbride, Scotland, to expand global reach and provide European base for local markets.

2016 – Commercial launch of Harmonics Solutions

Cone Drive announces launch of Harmonic Solutions products which offer the ultimate in gearing precision and represents a significant move into the robotics industry, cementing their status as a global leader in precision motion control technology.