ABOUT

Industrial innovation since 1883.

We are a premier manufacturer of industrial motion control and power transmission components. We have been setting the standard in gear manufacturing quality since the early 20th century, when we designed and built gear hobbing equipment in-house.

Established in 1883 in Dubuque, Iowa as the Roberts & Langworthy Iron Works

1883

Started as a foundry making cast iron parts.

We began by producing parts for a wide range of products and users, evolving with market and economic trends. Initially, and for some 65 years, our primary products were cast iron and steel home and building products.
These included stove repair parts such as dampers, decorative fireplace accessories, ornamental railings, and building products sold largely through regional hardware wholesalers.

1900

Expanding into luxury automobiles.

During this period the company also developed other products to expand the business. During the early 1900s we manufactured the Adams-Farwell automobile, an innovative and expensive car with a rotating 3 or 5-cylinder engine, which was designed by the company and became the model for the Rhone aircraft engine of World War I fame. The one remaining car today is at the National Automobile Museum in Reno.

1910

Designing and manufacturing machine tools.

We designed and manufactured machine tools for cutting gear threads, and semi-automatic mold making machines for use in foundries from 1910 through 1955.
From 1920 to 1975 the company designed and made flasks and jackets for use in the foundry mold making process. The "Adams" brand was one of the leading names in the foundry industries throughout the century.

1915

Making custom gears and shafts for automobiles.

In 1915, as an outgrowth of the machine tool and automobile lines, the company began making custom gears and shafts for manufacturers in various industries. This effort expanded through the 30's and 40's, emerging in the 50's as a major focus of the business.
In the late 50's the foundry was closed and in 1975 the foundry equipment was sold, allowing the company to focus its efforts in precision component manufacturing.

1950-

Focusing on precision manufacturing.

Today only one product group remains; custom power transmission parts. Our plant is entirely devoted to the manufacture of custom power transmission and industrial motion control components including gears, shafts, sprockets, and other custom parts.
These products, all made to our customers’ specifications, are sold to original equipment manufacturers of agricultural, construction, and forestry machinery, EV vehicles, oil recovery equipment, winches, large pumps, marine stern drives, power plant equipment, food equipment manufactures, and many other industries world wide.