The Switch

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.

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

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

• Permanent magnet machines
• Power electronics converters
• Marine propulsion systems
• High-speed electric motors
• Wind power generators

Headquarters

HQ city

Osterville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. Services and Support: Service business model supporting customers in providing full service to end customers. Testing, maintenance, and technical support services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core 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

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Berg PropulsioncoreTechnology or Integration · 29 November 2021Berg 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 TechcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWE 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 UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-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.
• SpinDriveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLappeenranta-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 GroupcoreOthersThe 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

Broad 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

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCWNcaiRFMVM_9Q13hOqkVxVLjELEWx1T1
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-switch-energy
• Xx.com/theswitchenergy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Switch