Industry blog
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Matti reaches 10-year milestone
My first 10 years in the company have now passed. Before joining The Switch, I worked in a building insulation company as head of engineering and the project department. I basically held the same position for 12 years and felt I needed a change. And I certainly got that!
Flashbacks from 2020
As we come to the end of this calendar year, it is a good time to look back on our achievements and the major happenings of 2020.
Reaching the 500th medium-speed PM wind generator milestone
This July, we will be delivering our 500th medium-speed permanent magnet generator for wind. This special milestone PMM 1500 generator will be heading to an offshore location where the wind is plentiful.
Switching on frequently 02/2020: Next wave of new energy
This is my first opportunity to write in our newsletter as the Division President of Yaskawa Environmental Energy (EED) and Chairman of the Board of The Switch. Needless to say, I am pretty excited about this new and challenging role at the company.
An exciting ride toward making the switch
Being in the driver’s seat of The Switch since its inception in 2006 has been the highlight of my career. As of June 30, with full confidence, I am handing the keys of The Switch over to the next generation.
Milligram accuracy in turbo machine balancing
Yaskawa Environmental Energy has invested in a rotor balancing machine for our factory in Lappeenranta. The new machine helps us meet tougher quality regulations for our customers by finding the perfect balance for their rotor.
Permanent magnet machines – new technology for a conservative industry
For us, the marine business is more conservative and complex than the wind industry where we started. Convincing the historically conventional stakeholders of the superiority of PM technology is challenging. Yet still, the progress made is great.
What makes an optimal wind turbine?
During 2011, permanent magnet machine manufacturers experienced moments of fear. The prices for rare earth materials were spiraling upwards uncontrollably. Since then, the situation has stabilized to a level slightly higher than before the crisis. But what’s the overall situation right now?
Switching on frequently 03/2019: Megatrends
This fall has been very busy finalizing new developments and bringing new products to the market. As the general market growth is slowing down, we have been grateful that our business has continued to proceed quite well.
Growing demand for Finnish technology and products in the renewable energy sector
The Switch has won a number of major new customers in China and Europe, with orders worth tens of millions of euros already received.
“We have gained a number of new customers in China and Europe, who have already placed significant orders with us. Permanent magnet generators and power converters have demonstrated their benefits and become the preferred basic solution in new wind turbine models,” says Jukka-Pekka Mäkinen, CEO of The Switch.
Switching on frequently 01/2019
Our fiscal year is not the calendar year. Instead, it runs from March 1 through the end of February, as is typical for many Japanese companies. The Japanese new year starts with the blossoming of cherry trees. Similarly, our business has been flourishing, too. Our revenue has grown and our profitability improved during the past fiscal year.