2024 Financial Performance and Strategic Shift
Maxon Motor's 2024 revenue of CHF 594.7 million marked its second straight annual decrease, yet proved an acceptable result given difficult economic conditions. Maxon Motor maintained R&D investment at 8 percent of revenue demonstrating its commitment to innovation despite market headwinds. Employee count declined from 3,262 to 3,150- a 3.4 percent reduction achieved through natural departures or early retirement rather than layoffs.
Maxon's revenue decline reflects a transition in its business model: instead of selling individual motors and components, they increasingly provide complete integrated drive systems tailored specifically for customer applications. This change helps reduce assembly work requirements while positioning Maxon for long-term competitiveness in emerging markets like robotics, exoskeletons and precision medical systems.
High Efficiency Joints Drive Robotics Expansion
Maxon's High Efficiency Joints (HEJs) form the core of their robotics strategy. These compact, highly integrated quasi-direct drive actuators combine motor, gearhead, sensors, and electronics in one robust housing for almost direct drive applications. Following the successful introduction of its flagship HEJ 90 with 140 Nm torque output, they introduced smaller variants - such as their 70 version offering 62 Nm torque intended for smaller robotic applications - and production was expected to start early 2026; Maxon still plans on developing its powerful Hercules version which could exceed 250 Nm!
Maxon showcased its advanced actuators at SPS 2025 trade fair in November, alongside new servo drives and controllers. Maxon achieved series production readiness on several critical system projects throughout 2024 - such as logistics shuttles and autonomous logistics vehicles - validating demand for integrated drive solutions across industrial automation sectors.
Launch of New Products and Market Diversification
Maxon expanded their product lineup at major 2025 trade shows with multiple innovations unveiled during this year. Their IDX 70 compact servo drive features high power density coupled with safety certification for Safe Torque Off and Safe Brake Control functionality - ideal for mobile robotics, collaborative robots and autonomous guided vehicles. New strain wave gearheads provide backlash-free precision transmission within minimal installation spaces - great for robotic arms, surgical instruments and optical applications.
Maxon expanded into e-mobility beyond industrial applications with the launch of its BIKEDRIVE AIR S, the lightest full-power e-bike drive available today, at Eurobike 2025 in Frankfurt. Weighing just 2 kilograms with 90 Nm torque and 620W peak power, this system represented Maxon's expansion into consumer mobility markets. In October 2025 at The Assembly Show Maxon displayed custom drive configurations as part of its mechatronic systems service offering.
Market Performance and Strategic Positioning are Important Components.
Maxon remains focused on industrial automation and medical technology sales markets; their SpaceLab division achieved impressive growth of 25 percent year over year due to commercial space projects. Their diversification across aerospace, medical, industrial and emerging mobility industries provides protection from industry downturns.
Eugen Elmiger expressed confidence in Maxon's future despite near-term headwinds, noting its innovative capabilities and strong potential in robotics as well as strategic business areas. Maxon's shift toward integrated drive solutions puts them in prime position to capitalize on an increasing demand for collaborative robotics, precision medical systems, autonomous logistics applications. With approximately 3,000 employees spread across 10 global production sites and representation in over 40 countries globally, Maxon remains a premier Swiss specialist of precision drive systems.