Switching on frequently 03/2016

Along our strong growth path again

The year is approaching its end, but it has been very eventful. We have returned to our strong growth path. The hard work with you – our customers, partners and other stakeholders – has turned into solid business. In many cases, this business has been the result of years of close development and cooperation.
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NEWS

The Switch closes deal with Wärtsilä to take the drives to the world

November 1, 2016 – The Switch has closed the deal to purchase Wärtsilä’s Norway-based marine power drives product range business for megawatt-class applications. Backed by Yaskawa, this acquisition will provide a solid platform for the operations to focus on developing its core competences together. The Switch Marine Drives Norway AS starts off by celebrating the assembly of its serial number 1,000 drive and now opening up for business to the world.

“The Switch aims to be a major player in the marine drive business. We already have a good position globally in marine. And now with this acquisition, we will have more products to sell to our customers and more know-how to apply them in state-of-the-art solutions for green shipping, which is the clear trend in the industry.” 
Jukka-Pekka Mäkinen, President and CEO of The Switch.

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WE Tech expands into Australia

November 28, 2016 – WE Tech Solutions and The Switch have been chosen to deliver their permanent magnet shaft generator solution to Australian Toll Shipping for a series of two 12,000 dwt RORO vessels. The solution used on these new-build RORO vessels enables the main engine to operate in variable speed, while both online direct-drive shaft generators create power up to 3,400 kW for the ship’s electrical network.

“With this two-vessel deal, we are further expanding our business to reach Australia.”
Mårten Storbacka, Managing Director of WE Tech.

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SPS IPC Drives visitors learn about The Switch turbo drive package

November 22–24, 2016, Nuremberg, Germany – As part of the Yaskawa stand, The Switch participated at SPS IPC Drives 2016, one of the largest international exhibitions for electric automation technology, which has been held for over the past 20 years.

“The exhibition was especially active this year. An ever-increasing number of businesses dealing with drives, motion, automation and robotics has helped grow the popularity of the event.”
Mikko Lönnberg, Director of Product Management and Marketing at The Switch.

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Yaskawa announces ambitious expansion plan in Europe

November 21, 2016, Frankfurt, Germany – at a press conference, Yaskawa announced that it will intensify its presence in Europe, with the aim of becoming one of the two leading manufacturers of industrial robots in strategic target markets in the medium term. The company plans to expand its production capacities and open a new robot manufacturing plant and a new European robotics development center in Slovenia. This investment plan follows a successful first wave of expansion initiated in 2014, which included the acquisition of The Switch.

“Europe is a leader in many technologies, and we want to consistently demonstrate to our customers that we are happy to be here and engage in the joint development of even more efficient solutions.”
Manfred Stern, President and CEO of Yaskawa Europe, Corporate Vice President of Yaskawa Electric.

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