Gear Motions acquires Auto Gear Inc., combining two long-time Syracuse gear manufacturers

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Gear Motions announced it has acquired Auto Gear Inc. in a deal that combines two long-time Syracuse gear manufacturers.

The Nixon Gear division of Gear Motions is located at 1750 Milton Ave. in Solvay. The company’s Niagara Gear and Oliver / Pro-Gear divisions are situated in Buffalo, per its website. Auto Gear, located at 530 State Fair Blvd in Syracuse, specializes in low-volume gearbox production.

The deal closed on Jan. 1, Dean Burrows, president of Gear Motions, tells CNYBJ in an email. The Gear Motions announcement didn’t include any financial terms of the acquisition.

“Having been partners with Auto Gear for decades, having them join the Gear Motion’s family of companies adds to the capabilities of Gear Motions through gear box design and assembly,” Burrows said in the firm’s announcement. “This acquisition complements our existing businesses while allowing us to provide more services and capabilities. It enables Gear Motions to offer custom gear box applications to its current customer base.”

Burrows tells CNYBJ that Auto Gear will continue operating under its current name but, over time, will most likely add the tag line, “a division of Gear Motions.” About a dozen Auto Gear employees will all retain their positions, Burrows added.

George Sollish, president of Auto Gear, called gearbox design and manufacturing a “Syracuse tradition.”

“As the last of our respective breed, gears by Gear Motions and gearboxes by Auto Gear are a natural partnership. I am delighted to commit my energy, my creativity, and my family’s legacy to our combination. My mission, and Auto Gear’s — ‘To Be the Best Today, and Better Tomorrow/ — is in good hands,” Sollish said in the Gear Motions announcement.

Sollish will remain with Auto Gear as its chief engineer, Burrows tells CNYBJ.