The Switch
The Switch designs and manufactures megawatt-class permanent magnet machines, high-speed solid-rotor motors, and full-power converters sold as components to system integrators and OEMs in the marine, renewables, and industrial sectors. It is a Helsinki-based subsidiary of Japan's BEMAC Corporation.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersOsterville, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What The Switch does
The Switch designs and manufactures megawatt-class permanent magnet (PM) machines, high-speed solid-rotor induction machines, and full-power converters that are sold as components and subsystems to system integrators (SIs) and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in marine, renewables, and industrial end markets. The portfolio centers on the PMM series (PMM850M, PMM1200M, PMM1500M, PMM2000M) for direct-drive marine propulsion and shaft generation, the SRS series of solid-rotor machines operating at 6,000–25,000 rpm without gearboxes, the DC-Hub for multi-megawatt DC shipboard distribution, the FSD2020/EBL3.0 power electronics family, and active magnetic bearings (AMB) that eliminate oil lubrication in high-speed applications. Products are validated at the 18 MW Large Drive Test Center in Lappeenranta, and the company reports more than 24 GW of megawatt-class technology installed globally with over 1,000 high-speed solid-rotor machines delivered and zero rotor failures.
The company makes money through custom-engineered, quote-based sales of hardware and power electronics to enterprise buyers under multi-year contracts, supplemented by services and technical support (testing, maintenance, 24/7 support). Distribution is direct-to-SI/OEM across marine vessel operators, wind power OEMs, and industrial compressor/turbo manufacturers. Technology differentiation rests on PM machine efficiency, solid-rotor high-speed direct drive, AMB technology co-developed with LUT University, and regulatory alignment with IMO CII/EEXI/EU ETS/FuelEU Maritime. The company operates manufacturing in Lappeenranta and Vaasa (Finland), Nanjing (China), and R&D in Trondheim (Norway), with headquarters in Helsinki.
The Switch is a private subsidiary of Japan's BEMAC Corporation since 2024, when BEMAC acquired Yaskawa's prior controlling stake. It was previously known as Yaskawa Environmental Energy / The Switch and traces its technological roots to LUT University's solid rotor research from the late 1980s. Reported net sales grew from approximately €40M to over €72M between 2016 and 2017 following the acquisition of Wärtsilä Drives, and the company has subsequently expanded its PMM product line (PMM850M launched March 2026), secured large repeat industrial orders (86 motors added to a cumulative ~350-unit customer base in 2026), and won the New Propulsion Technology of the Year award at the 2026 Advanced Maritime Technology International Awards.
The Switch firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Switch
- Legal name
- The Switch
- Website
- https://theswitch.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Switch designs and manufactures megawatt-class permanent magnet machines, high-speed solid-rotor motors, and full-power converters sold as components to system integrators and OEMs in the marine, renewables, and industrial sectors. It is a Helsinki-based subsidiary of Japan's BEMAC Corporation.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Switch industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Electric Machines and Power Electronics
- NAICS
- Switchgear and Switchboard Apparatus Manufacturing (335313), Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing (3336), Mechanical Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing (333613), Power, Distribution, and Specialty Transformer Manufacturing (335311)
- SIC
- Switchgear & Switchboard Apparatus (3613), Motors & Generators (3621), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Marine Hybrid & Electric Propulsion Systems (IMAJAHAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Integrated Marine Electrical Systems & Switchboards (IMAJAJAA), Industrial Control Cabinets & Power Distribution (Panels, Switchgear for Automation) (IMAHAHAK), Power Electronics & Grid-Tie Equipment Manufacturing (Converters, Transformers, Switchgear) (EUAMAHAH)
Keywords
Where The Switch is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Osterville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
The Switch business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Electric Machines and Power Electronics: Custom electric machines and power electronics sold to system integrators and OEMs in marine, renewables, and industry sectors. Products delivered as components for integration into customer systems.
- Services and Support: Service business model supporting customers in providing full service to end customers. Testing, maintenance, and technical support services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom engineered solutions |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
The Switch product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Switch supplies custom megawatt-class electric machines and power electronics to system integrators (SIs) and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Its portfolio includes permanent magnet machines for marine propulsion and shaft generation, high-speed solid-rotor induction motors for industrial turbo applications, DC-Hub power distribution systems, full-power converters for wind applications, and active magnetic bearing systems. Products are engineered for marine, renewables, and industrial end markets.
Product overview
The Switch is an agile supplier of custom electric machines and power electronics serving marine, renewables, and industry sectors. The product portfolio centers on permanent magnet machines (PMM series: PMM850M, PMM1200M, PMM1500M, PMM2000M) for marine propulsion and shaft generation, complemented by the DC-Hub for multi-megawatt DC power distribution and Full Power Converters for wind applications. The industrial segment offers high-speed solid-rotor machines (SRS series) operating without gearboxes at 6,000-25,000 rpm, alongside the FSD2020/EBL3.0 power electronics family and Active Magnetic Bearings (AMB) for oil-free machine operation. Products deliver tens of gigawatts with over 24 GW of megawatt-class technology installed globally.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- PMM850M Permanent Magnet Machine Compact permanent magnet machine for marine propulsion applications, featuring high efficiency and direct-drive electric propulsion. Part of The Switch's PMM series for marine system integrators and OEMs.
- PMM1200M Permanent Magnet Machine Permanent magnet machine for marine applications, part of The Switch's marine propulsion product line. Datasheet published March 2025.
- PMM2000M Permanent Magnet Machine Large-frame permanent magnet machine for marine applications, part of The Switch's megawatt-class marine product portfolio.
- DC-Hub Power Distribution System DC distribution hub enabling multi-megawatt DC power systems for ships, providing secure ride-through operations and ultra-fast protection for DC distribution systems. Designed for maritime vessel operators.
- Full Power Converters for Wind Power Power electronics converters for wind power applications, enabling variable speed operation and power conversion in renewable energy systems. Sold to wind turbine OEMs.
- SRS0400 High-Speed Solid-Rotor Induction Motor High-speed solid-rotor induction motor for industrial applications, featuring direct-drive operation without gearbox requirements. Powers from 300 kW to 2,000 kW for low-voltage systems.
- SRS0315 High-Speed Solid-Rotor Induction Motor Medium-frame high-speed solid-rotor induction motor for industrial applications, operating at speeds from 6,000 rpm to 25,000 rpm depending on rotor diameter.
- SRI0355 Semi-Integrated High-Speed Machine Semi-integrated high-speed machine for turbo applications, part of The Switch's industrial product portfolio.
- FSD2020 / EBL3.0 Full-Scale Drive and High-Power Converters Full-scale drive product family including the EBL3.0 series of high-power converters for marine electrification systems.
- Active Magnetic Bearings (AMB) Oil-free bearing solution for high-speed electric machines, offering minimal energy losses, excellent controllability, and lower lifetime costs compared to tilting pad bearings for direct-drive compressor applications.
- Services and Technical Support Testing, maintenance, and 24-hour technical support services for marine, wind power, and industrial customers. Provided through field service teams and the Large Drive Test Center.
Quantifiable outcome
- 2.5-3.5 year payback periods for shaft generator retrofits
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use The Switch
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Switch technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
The Switch partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Berg PropulsioncoreBerg Propulsion signed a key supplier and cooperation agreement to provide systems integration capability for Yaskawa Environmental Energy / The Switch PM and power electronics products. The cooperation creates a combined force offering robustness and efficiency of propulsion systems where electric motors directly drive the propeller shaft.
- WE TechcoreWE Tech serves as sales representative for Yaskawa Environmental Energy / The Switch PM shaft generators in marine applications. Successfully transitioned technology from wind turbines to marine engine shafts with proven proof of concept.
- LUT UniversitycoreLong-standing research collaboration between LUT University and The Switch on high-speed solid rotor technology, active magnetic bearings (AMBs), and heat pump applications. Collaboration has led to industrial applications and zero rotor failures on 1,000+ machines. Currently developing new technologies for high-speed solid rotors and AI-assisted design tools.
- SpinDriveminorLappeenranta-based company created from AMB technology development collaboration between LUT and The Switch. SpinDrive has over 10 years of activity in active magnetic bearing technology.
- BEMAC GroupcoreThe Switch is part of the BEMAC Group since 2024. Products are unified under the BEMAC brand. BEMAC Group is a Japanese multinational corporation (Yaskawa Electric Corporation affiliate) providing financial backing and international corporate support.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Switch competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- ABB: Global leader in electric machines, drives, and marine propulsion/electrification systems; directly comparable to The Switch's PM machine and power electronics portfolio but with a much broader product range across industrial, marine, and grid applications.
- Wärtsilä: Marine systems integrator and engine/marine equipment supplier, formerly owner of Wärtsilä Drives (acquired by The Switch in 2017); competes in ship electrification and hybrid propulsion using overlapping technology stacks.
- Siemens (Innomotics): Major industrial motors and drives manufacturer serving marine, industrial, and energy markets; provides direct competition to The Switch's PM machines, solid rotor machines, and FSD/EBL power electronics across similar customer base.
- GE Vernova: Power generation and grid equipment business of GE, supplying wind turbine generators, power conversion systems, and marine electric propulsion — overlapping directly with The Switch's wind converter and PM machine business.
- Yaskawa Electric: Former parent of The Switch and now affiliate of BEMAC; global leader in industrial drives, servo motors, and power electronics with significant overlap in industrial automation and motion control applications.
- Rolls-Royce (Power Systems / mtu): Supplies marine propulsion systems and integrated power solutions through the mtu brand; competes in hybrid and electric ship propulsion where The Switch's PM machines and DC-Hub are deployed.
- Nidec / Kato Engineering: Industrial motor and generator manufacturer (including Kato Engineering for high-speed rotating machines); competes in marine, wind, and industrial generator segments overlapping with The Switch's PM and solid rotor portfolios.
Direct peers
- Danfoss Drives: Manufacturer of VLT and VACON drives/power electronics for marine, industrial, and renewable applications; comparable technology stack to The Switch's FSD2020/EBL3.0 converters and a direct competitor in marine electrification.
- TMEIC (Toshiba Mitsubishi-Electric Industrial Systems): Industrial drives, motors, and power electronics manufacturer with strong presence in metals, paper, and heavy industry; comparable high-power industrial motor/drive portfolio competing for similar turbo and heavy industrial customers.
- Voith Turbo: Marine propulsion and drive systems supplier (Voith Schneider and Voith Inline) with electrical hybridization offerings; competes with The Switch in marine propulsion systems and vessel electrification.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Switch social profiles
Digital presenceThe Switch financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Switch leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
The Switch funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Switch M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Switch
What does The Switch do?
The Switch supplies custom megawatt-class electric machines and power electronics to system integrators (SIs) and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Its portfolio includes permanent magnet machines for marine propulsion and shaft generation, high-speed solid-rotor induction motors for industrial turbo applications, DC-Hub power distribution systems, full-power converters for wind applications, and active magnetic bearing systems. Products are engineered for marine, renewables, and industrial end markets.
Is The Switch a public or private company?
The Switch is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was The Switch founded?
The Switch was founded in 2006. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Switch based?
The Switch is headquartered in Osterville, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Switch make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Electric Machines and Power Electronics are the primary driver. The others are services and Support.
Who are The Switch's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are ABB, Wärtsilä, Siemens (Innomotics), GE Vernova, Yaskawa Electric, Rolls-Royce (Power Systems / mtu) and Nidec / Kato Engineering. Direct peers are Danfoss Drives, TMEIC (Toshiba Mitsubishi-Electric Industrial Systems) and Voith Turbo.
Does The Switch have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Switch.
What industry is The Switch in?
The Switch's product category is Industrial Electric Machines and Power Electronics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAJAHAC, Marine Hybrid & Electric Propulsion Systems, with a secondary code of IMAJAJAA, Integrated Marine Electrical Systems & Switchboards. Its NAICS code is 335313 and its SIC code is 3613.