Magmotor Technologies Inc., a motor manufacturer that traces its roots to 1876, is leveraging 150 years of engineering experience to serve the robotics industry. The company, originally founded as Kendrick & Davis (K&D) in Lebanon, N.H., has survived the horse-and-buggy era and now designs motors for space travel. For robotics founders and operators, Magmotor represents a rare combination of deep legacy expertise and willingness to customize.
Magmotor specializes in brush motors, even as the industry shifts to brushless designs. Senior mechanical design engineer Scott Cerra explained that legacy systems still require brush motors, and their dependability makes them preferred by NASA and the space industry. The company's motors powered the NASA Rover and BattleBots robots, and an Italian company uses them for ship-cleaning robots. This niche focus offers a reliable option for applications where brushless alternatives may not be suitable.
The company's production manager Jamie Willigar noted that many products last 15–20 years with no issues. Customer loyalty is high, with clients in aerospace, defense, and high-tech sectors. For startups building long-life robots or systems requiring proven reliability, Magmotor's track record is a strong signal.
Magmotor plans a major expansion that it said will triple its income and employee count. The company will hire a new generation to learn from veterans with 25+ years of tenure before they retire. This presents an opportunity for robotics firms to partner with a manufacturer that is actively investing in capacity and knowledge transfer.
The bulk of Magmotor's work is in customized designs that cannot be purchased off-the-shelf. After China gained most-favored nation status in the 1990s, Magmotor moved most production to Chinese partners while keeping design and final assembly in-house. Willigar said the company would like to bring some manufacturing back to the U.S., but cited overhead and costs as barriers. For founders, this means custom motor designs with competitive pricing, but potential supply chain complexity.
Magmotor's systems use neodymium magnets to extract more power from small motors. Applications include elevators, diving equipment, electric lawnmowers, and GPS-guided devices. Willigar believes the motors will have increasing utility in robotics, especially where size and weight constraints demand high power density.
For robotics operators evaluating motor suppliers, Magmotor offers a differentiated value proposition: brush motor expertise for legacy and specialized applications, custom design capability, and a century-and-a-half of reliability. The company's expansion plans signal confidence in growing demand from robotics and other high-tech sectors.
Source: The Robot Report.