The business environment in wind power has stabilized during the last few years. We have endured the challenging times and have turned the company back onto a profitable growth path. Another one of our target businesses now is marine, where we have been able to break into the sector with better technology even though the business cycle has been unfavorable. It seems here, too, that better times lie ahead of us.
It has been an exciting ride to lead The Switch through the storms and hold on to our selected course until the conditions have gotten better. Now we can see that we have made the right choices and are respected in the industries we have decided to be in. Our belief is to offer better technology and work closely with customers that see new solutions as their competitive advantage.
Often this common development needs a deep level of cooperation and commitment from both parties. Many times, even differences in company cultures require good communications so that both parties understand the goals and roles in the same way. At the same time, the organizations need to be competent and able to work well with technical details to succeed in developing an optimized joint project.
The Switch’s customer-based business model is unique. Yet, years of its implementation have trained us to master collaboration. I am very proud of our Switchians who take pride in serving customers to the best of their ability. They are empowered to make independent decisions. Management in our flat organization is always there to support our Key Account and Technical Account Managers whenever they are needed. We have new and exciting development projects and our long-term customers are committed to work with us.
This is great feedback for us and encourages us to move forward.
We want to be major players in wind and marine. Our 80% growth last year and recent acquisition of Wärtsilä’s marine power drives business is example of our ability to grow both in an organic and inorganic way. And, with the full backing of Yaskawa, we can continue growing.
I am looking forward to this new fiscal year and intense work together with our partners and customers.
J-P