Roots of Moventas go back as far as 19th century rapid industrial expansion. Moventas gears come with a long heritage that includes well-known brand names like Sauerwald, Santasalo, Wärtsilä, Valmet, Parkano Gears and Metso.

1887  Special business for electric light and power plants – company founded at Wuppertal-Bramen in Germany producing drives for textile machinery. 1910 it got it's name SAWA, according to the engineer Fritz Sauerwald.

1938  Gearwheel manufacturing begun in Rautpohja factory in Jyväskylä, Finland

1941  Santasalo Oy drive manufacturing company founded in Finland

1950  Valmet Oy founded in Finland for top machinery and gear technology production

1967  Parkano Oy was founded for ferry and radiator production

1980  Manufacturing of Wärtsilä gears devolved to Valmet Oy

1980  First wind turbine gear box delivery from Valmet Power Transmission in Rautpohja, Jyväskylä, Finland

1992  Santasalo acquired SAWA of Germany

2000  Santasalo Gears Oy founded from Parkano Works, Valmet Power Transmission and Santasalo

2001  Santasalo Gears renamed as Metso Drives Oy

2005  CapMan Oyj acquired Metso Drives Oy from Metso Oyj. The company was named Moventas.

2007 IK Investment Partners became the majority owner of Moventas

2010  Moventas Parkano divested. Buyer is Takoma Oyj. 

2011 Holding company Moventas Ltd is filed for bankcruptcy, subsidiaries Moventas Wind Ltd and Moventas Santasalo continue business operations and enter corporate restructuring. On 14 November, industrial engineering group Clyde Blowers announces acquisition of both Moventas companies.