The Switch name change to reflect R&D capabilities

Under the investment, The Switch will in effect become Yaskawa European’s Environmental Energy Division and be able to invest in new equipment at its Finland factory to extend its capabilities to allow for drive train testing of up to 15MW.

“To strongly focus on the development of our products, we need to have the resources and facilities to do so. This significant investment now provides us with the financial support needed to step up to the challenge,” said Jukka-Pekka Mäkinen, President and CEO of The Switch.

High-power testing

He added that this latest investment is essential to execute marine projects the company is currently planning with customers.

The Finnish factory will take a key role in a chain of other high-power drive train test centres that includes state-of-the-art facilities in Stord, Norway, and Vaasa, Finland.

With the new investment, The Switch will expand its network of R&D talent within its existing sites in Lappeenranta, Vaasa and Helsinki, Finland, as well as in Norway, China and Japan.

This will ensure that the company has the expertise needed to develop the products and platforms to reach the long-term goals of the corporation.

The Switch produces a portfolio of technology enabling shipowners and operators to both optimise energy consumption and generate energy in a sustainable manner.

During the past ten years, the firm has delivered over 1,000 power drives to hundreds of vessels, alongside 35 permanent magnet shaft generators to next-generation ships that are future-proofing operations.

With the move to create the Environmental Energy Division, Yaskawa EU (YEU) has formed the third of its business divisions, alongside Drives Motion Control and Robotics.

The newest division will help make the BIG switch to sustainable energy going forward.