The US mechanical components manufacturer Rexnord has bought Cirencester-based Autogard, which produces torque limiters, couplings and torque-monitoring devices.

Rexnord says the acquisition will expand its global Process and Motion Control (PMC) platform, while Autogard’s torque limiter products will complement its existing power transmission products and will allow Rexnord to provide increased support to its customers globally.

Autogard grew out of a manufacturer of aircraft components, originally known as GIB Precision, which was founded in 1939. It now has manufacturing facilities in the UK and US as well as sales and support offices in Europe, North America and Australia. Its couplings – which range in size from devices for servomotors to systems for turbo-compressors – are sold under the Autoflex and Samiflex brands.

The company also produces torque limiters and the Monitorq torque sensors, which transmit drivetrain torque data to a receiver to provide information for condition monitoring, process control and overload protection.

Rexnord, headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has two strategic platforms: PMC and Water Management. The PMC product portfolio includes gears, couplings, industrial bearings, aerospace bearings and seals, modular belts, engineered chain and conveying equipment. Rexnord employs around 6,000 people worldwide.