More than 200 executives representing the gear and bearing manufacturing industries gathered in Austin, Texas, in April for the highly anticipated AGMA/ABMA Annual Meeting. This year’s event was a landmark occasion not only because of its dynamic programming, high-caliber speakers, and industry forecast sessions, but also due to a historic announcement that reshaped the future of these two longstanding organizations.
In a notable departure from tradition, the event was in a major metropolitan city — Austin— rather than the typical resort setting. The change of venue symbolized a shift toward modernity and accessibility, setting the tone for a meeting filled with bold decisions and forward-thinking discussions. Throughout the event, members of the American Gear Manufacturers Association (AGMA) and the American Bearing Manufacturers Association (ABMA) engaged in strategic conversations and critical votes. The culmination of these efforts was the announcement of a merger between the two organizations, forming the Motion and Power Manufacturers Alliance (MPMA).
This significant development marks a new chapter in the history of these manufacturing sectors, with the merger aiming to unify voices, streamline resources, and strengthen the collective influence of the gear and bearing industries. Leading the new alliance will be Sara Zimmerman, Vice President of Business Development at Sumitomo Machinery Corporation of America, who will serve as the first joint chairperson of MPMA. She will hold the position for the first year, followed by Matt Frady, General Manager of Dodge Industrial, who will assume the role in the second year.
Beyond the groundbreaking merger, attendees were treated to a lineup of expert speakers who covered a wide spectrum of timely and impactful topics. The event kicked off with Kaihan Krippendorff, a renowned business strategist and CEO of Outthinker, a global think tank focused on innovation and strategic leadership. Krippendorff inspired attendees with insights into business transformation and innovative growth strategies, setting an energizing tone for the rest of the meeting.
A perennial favorite, Jim Meil, principal of Industry Analysis at ACT Research, took the stage Friday morning. Known for his engaging presentation style and signature dry humor, Meil delivered an economic outlook that, while not overly optimistic, provided essential context and data for the year ahead. His ability to simplify complex economic trends made his session particularly valuable to attendees navigating ongoing market uncertainties.
One of the most discussed sessions came from Jake Hall, better known as the “Manufacturing Millennial.” Hall offered a compelling look at how the manufacturing sector can better connect with younger generations. By leveraging social media and digital platforms, Hall demonstrated how manufacturers can refresh their messaging and improve recruitment and engagement among millennials and Gen Z — a key priority for sustaining the industry’s workforce.
Technology took center stage with Julie Holmes, Tech Strategist and founder of Smarter HQ. Holmes encouraged every executive in the room to download ChatGPT on their devices, leading a hands-on session about the practical applications of artificial intelligence in business operations. Her interactive workshop provided attendees with new tools and perspectives on how to incorporate emerging technologies into their organizations in meaningful ways.
Laurie Harbour, a partner at Wipfli and recognized manufacturing thought leader, followed the next morning with a powerful presentation rooted in her decades of experience. Her session focused on actionable business development strategies, offering practical guidance that attendees could take back and immediately apply within their companies. Harbour’s reputation as a no-nonsense expert was on full display as she broke down challenges and opportunities with clarity and authority.
To round out the event, Betsy Allen-Manning delivered a session on one of the most pressing issues facing the industry today — talent. As a leadership development expert, Allen-Manning spoke on how to attract, engage, and retain top talent in an increasingly competitive labor market. Her insights on workplace culture, generational dynamics, and employee engagement strategies struck a chord with many in the audience looking for sustainable ways to build stronger teams.
In all, the AGMA/ABMA Annual Meeting was a turning point for both organizations — and perhaps for the broader motion and power transmission industry. With the formation of the Motion and Power Manufacturers Alliance, a united future begins, one built on collaboration, innovation, and shared goals.
Lifetime Achievement award goes to Dr. Ulrich Kissling
Dr. Ulrich Kissling, president at KISSsoft was recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his continuous dedication and contribution to the industry.
The Lifetime Achievement award is given by AGMA to rare individuals who have given years of service to AGMA and the global gear industry. Dr. Kissling’s practical experience and theoretical know-how, complemented by a passion and dedication to the world of gearing has helped him create KISSsoft into one of the most widely used gear design software products globally.
“Dr. Kissling has spent his entire career focused on gear and bearing accuracy, actively participating on ISO technical working groups, providing test data and methodology, and for ultimately creating a software system used globally be leading power transmission companies in order to design world class power transmission solutions,” said Michael Cinquemani, chair of AGMA and CEO of Master PT. Cinquemani presented the award to Dr. Kissling at the banquet dinner. “KISSsoft continues to be one of the go-to resources for gear design, and the industry will leverage what Dr. Kissling created for decades to come.”
Chairman’s award goes to Greg Estell
Greg Estell, founder and managing partner, The Estell Group, was honored with the 2025 Chair Award.
The award is presented by the American Gear Manufacturers Association to an individual who has contributed in a meaningful way to the promotion of the gear industry, acted above and beyond the call of duty to support AGMA.
Estell is the kind of dedicated volunteer who helps trade associations like AGMA thrive. His commitment to the organization is evident in every aspect of his involvement. He has actively participated in both technical and business committees and has been a strong contributor to AGMA’s Emerging Technology initiatives. Estell served on the AGMA Board of Directors from 2020 to 2023 and as a Trustee of the AGMA Foundation from 2022 to 2025.
AGMA Foundation gets new leadership
Scott Yoders, Vice President, Sales at Liebherr Gear Technology, Inc. has accepted the position of Chair of the Board of Trustees for the AGMA Foundation. Yoders has a passion for engineering and will be working on educational outreach for the youth — specifically in gear manufacturing. The Foundation also welcomes new Trustees Aaron Cole of Premier Gear and Cindy Myers a gear engineer from Mack Trucks/Volvo.
Upcoming Courses
Gearbox System Design
June 24-26 | Clearwater Beach, Florida
This course focuses on the supporting elements of a gearbox that allow gears and bearings to do their jobs most efficiently. Learn about seals, lubrication, lubricants, housings, breathers, and other details that go into designing gearbox systems.
Gear Failure Analysis
June 24-26 | Chicago, Illinois
Explore gear failure analysis in this hands-on seminar where students not only see slides of failed gears but can hold and examine more than 130 specimens with the same failure modes covered in the seminar. Approximately half of the course time consists of students in groups identifying failure modes on failed gears and working on a case study. Microscopes are available to examine failed specimens.
How to Read an Interpret a Gear Inspection Chart
July 16 | Online
This half-day online seminar is intended to provide you with a thorough understanding of the information contained within a typical gear inspection report. Specifically, we will look at the contents and meaning of the information contained within the gear charts, as well as the techniques used by the gear measurement system to assess gear quality. An explanation of basic gear measurement techniques, how measurement equipment and test machines implement these techniques, and how to interpret the results from these basic measurements will be covered. We will also discuss how to interpret the results and what corrective actions may be considered if the quality of a particular gear is unsatisfactory.
To register for a course, go to: www.agma.org/events-education/upcoming-courses.
Upcoming Meetings & Events
Motion + Power Technology Expo
October 21-23 | Detroit Michigan
The Motion + Power Technology Expo is produced by the American Gear Manufacturers Association (AGMA), the global network for technical standards, education, and business information for manufacturers, suppliers, and users of gears and mechanical power transmission components.
To register for a course, go to: www.agma.org/events-education/upcoming-courses.
