Sauer-Danfoss Inc.’s manufacturing plant in Lawrence is shifting into a new gear, bringing in new lines from Denmark as it sends its transmission business to Iowa.

The plant, in the East Hills Business Park, will make the transition during the next 18 months, said Jaime Bryant, director for the company’s North American Work Function Division.

Employment totals will be expected to remain fairly steady at the plant, which today has about 260 workers whose products include hydrostatic transmissions for off-road equipment and motors used in zero-turn commercial lawn mowers.

“When it’s all said and done : we’re probably looking at plus or minus 10 percent,” Bryant said.

The plant’s transmission work, known as its propel segment, is being consolidated into a Sauer-Danfoss plant in Ames, Iowa.

The Lawrence plant’s work on low-speed, high-torque motors and gears – the kind that allow large lawn mowers to turn on a dime – will be expanded by bringing in equipment from a Sauer-Danfoss plant in Nordborg, Denmark, Bryant said. The switch likely will mean more engineering operations and less assembly work.

Sales growth for such motors is strong in North America, he said. The transition will lead to retraining for some employees, transfers for others and minimal plans for hiring more.

Keith Folkmann, who has headed the 160,000-square-foot Lawrence operation since its opening in 1998, will be transferring to Ames, Bryant said.

“It’s huge shoes to fill,” Bryant said. “We all recognize that.”