Dedicated to power

In December 2006, three companies – Rotatek Finland, Verteco and Youtility – joined forces to become The Switch, a new company specialising in solutions for transforming untapped energy into electricity and enabling electricity to be used efficiently. The company achieves this through the design and manufacture of innovative power electronics and drive train systems for leading OEMs and system integrators.

The Switch supplies electric drive trains in four business areas: wind power applications, industrial facilities, variable speed gensets and solar and fuel cell installations. The power electronics systems and electrical machines are designed for an optimum match with the customer’s requirements, and because they can run either slower or faster than regular machines that are connected direct online, the new company can design machines to run coupled directly to a driven load.

Bringing you power

The Switch has facilities in Finland and the USA, as well as a global service network to support its customers around the world. The company is also currently growing its operations in Finland and China. “Demand for our new offerings is very high. We are expanding to ensure we can continue providing fast, on-time deliveries in future,” explains Jukka-Pekka Mäkinen, CEO of The Switch.

Today’s business is all about speedy deliveries, he says, which is why his company prides itself on being the fastest in the market. The Switch’s unique networking approach to business enables the company to accelerate its project execution and provide fast, on-time delivery from the first prototype to series production.

Another advantage is its use of the newest technology. “We combine a fresh approach to business with the expertise of three well-respected organisations,” he continues. “Our close co-operation with innovative industrial partners and the support of university-based researchers help to ensure that our products not only incorporate the latest technology but are also fully tested and proven.”

Clearly, the personal ouch is also important to Mäkinen and his team. “We are passionate about what we do and ensuring we deliver the best possible support to all our customers,” he says. “We believe in conducting business person to person, and have designed our organisation to be fully customer-oriented.”

Owning quality

The company has a proven track record in engineering quality into its products from the smallest detail to the overall, totally optimised package. “In our view, quality should extend across the product’s entire lifecycle – from the initial design, through manufacturing, to servicing and proactive maintenance support,” says Mäkinen. This approach also helps ensure products are as energy efficient as possible. “We transform untapped energy into electricity and contribute to its efficient use,” he continues. “Our solutions support the battle against climate change and help to preserve energy resources. We create innovative power electronics systems and drive-train concepts for OEM and system integrator customers. We use the markets’ top technologies, combine it with our unique know-how and in-depth understanding of the customers’ needs, to create value that is hard to beat.”