Regal-Beloit Buys Motor Start-up Ramu

April 8, 2011
Motor maker Regal Beloit Corp., Beloit, Wis., has acquired Ramu, Inc., a motor and control technology company headquartered in Blacksburg, Va., backed by the venture capital firm Khosla Ventures

Motor maker Regal Beloit Corp., Beloit, Wis., has acquired Ramu, Inc., a motor and control technology company headquartered in Blacksburg, Va., backed by the venture capital firm Khosla Ventures.

Ramu is a start-up company founded by Krishnan Ramu to develop switched reluctance motor technology. Switched reluctance technology is a unique motor design that uses no permanent magnet materials to create the motor’s operating torque. The technology is suitable for applications requiring improved operating efficiencies, high operating speeds or high ambient temperature conditions.

Ramu’s management and technical leadership will continue to lead the research and development efforts and will remain in Blacksburg. This team will be focused on expanding Ramu’s portfolio of multiple patents and patent applications as well as integrating this technology into Regal Beloit’s motor portfolio for commercialization across multiple Regal Beloit brands.

“We see potential differentiated value for our customers if we are able to successfully integrate this technology into our energy efficiency motor portfolio,” said Regal-Beloit CEO Henry Knueppel.