Hello 2026! Letter From BGA Chair David Radley

Here at the British Gear Association (BGA) we are gearing up for an exciting 2026 filled with opportunities to connect, learn, and grow with our Members, friends and colleagues in the Gear Transmission Industry.

Please read on to see a letter from our Chair David Radley reflecting on 2025 and looking forward to 2006.

We can’t wait to catch up with you all at a Training Course, Technical Awareness Day or Exhibition.

If you need anything from the BGA please do not hesitate to contact Kirsty and Lynne in the BGA office admin@bga.org.uk

Letter From BGA Chair David Radley

Dear Member, it is with great pleasure that I write this letter to thank you for your support during 2025, that along with the efforts of our staff Kirsty and Lynne, delivered another successful year for our organisation with another increase in membership (we were excited to welcome eleven new Members to the Association) and a positive financial performance.

Reflecting on 2025

• 2025 was another excellent year of BGA Training, with over 1,100 delegates participating in our Knowledge Transfer Sessions. Our commitment to increasing and maintain essential skills in the UK is key to the BGA Mission. Our training offerings in 2025 did not stop with participation as we saw 6 new courses added to the BGA Knowledge Transfer Programme.

• BGA networking experienced a dynamic year in 2025. The BGA hosted Technical Awareness Days (TAD) at two leading venues: Transmission Dynamics, a BGA member company, and Birmingham University, where partners Dynamechs and Kisssoft contributed. These events attracted over 50 delegates, reflecting a growing interest in staying current with the latest gear technology and engineering practices.

  
  

  These gatherings offered more than technical updates. They created a space where professionals could exchange ideas and discuss challenges face-to-face. This kind of interaction fosters a collaborative atmosphere that helps solve problems faster and encourages innovation.

  
  

  Alongside the TADs, the BGA invested in exhibition stands at two major industry events: Drives and Controls and the NEAA Expo. These exhibitions provided opportunities to meet a wider audience, including suppliers, manufacturers, and end-users.

• Engaging with international partners has become essential for the BGA to strengthen its influence and ensure UK interests are well represented around the world.

  
  

  In addition to our ongoing collaboration with Eurotrans, in 2025, the BGA took a significant step by partnering with Engrena ITA, a leading Gear Association in Brazil. This collaboration marks an important expansion of the BGA’s global network, focusing on a two-way exchange of information and expertise.

  
  

  Engrena ITA offers valuable insights into the South American market, which is growing and evolving rapidly. Meanwhile, the BGA shares knowledge about the UK and European contexts, helping both parties understand different regulatory environments, market demands, and technological advances.

• We have again funded essential Market Statistics the latest addition of which are available to download on the BGA Website.

• The BGA thrives because of the dedication and expertise of volunteers who share a passion for advancing the Gear Industry in the UK. Among these committed individuals, Graham Penning of Contact Gearing and Piet van Zyl of PVZ Gears stand out for their exceptional contributions. In 2025, the BGA Executive Council proudly awarded them Honorary Lifetime BGA Membership in recognition of over 20 years of service, guidance, and expertise that have helped shape the BGA and the wider transmission industry.

Looking forward to 2026

• The unwavering support from BGA Members has been essential to our training success. Thanks to this support, we are excited to announce that our online training will be completely free for BGA Members throughout 2026. This initiative guarantees that our members can access high-quality training, enhancing their skills to stay competitive in the industry. Please click here to see all of the courses open for registration.

  
  

  The BGA are already working on new courses in Gearbox Maintenance and Lubrication for 2026 and hope to add more courses across the year. We are also looking forward to the return of the updated Gear Hobbing and Shaping seminar, renowned for its comprehensive content and hands-on demonstrations, this seminar has always been a considered essential for learning the underlining principals of Gearing.

• We will be holding more Virtual Member focus sessions in 2026. Already we have offerings from Design Unit and Dontyne Gears. Let us know if you would like to host a session.

• Our first Technical Awareness Day of 2026 will be held at BGA Member ZF Services state of the Art Facilities in the Spring – this is an essential networking event, details will be on the BGA website soon. Again, contact the BGA Office if you would like to host a TAD with us.

• In addition to Phase 2 of “Involute and Non-Involute Gear Testing” we are looking for, and will fund, small research programmes that can benefit our members. Please let us have any proposals you may have.

As ever we welcome your suggestions as to how we can both improve our organisation and add to our current Member benefits that include free access to virtual training, critical standards, industry statistics and our annual Gear Conference. Please let us have your views and any comments. Finally let me once again thank you all for your efforts and support that helps make our organisation so robust and successful and wish you all the best for 2026.

Yours sincerely,

David Radley .

Chair of the Executive Council of the British Gear Association.