Magmotor Technologies Inc., a custom AC and DC fan motor manufacturer founded in 1876 as Kendrick and Davis (K&D) in Lebanon, New Hampshire, is planning a major expansion in its sesquicentennial year that aims to triple its income and workforce, according to company statements. The enterprise, which was purchased in its 102nd year by Herbert Peterson before relocating its offices to Worcester, Massachusetts, relies on a core of long-tenured staff, including 21-year production manager Jamie Willigar and senior mechanical design engineer Scott Cerra, who is approaching his 20th anniversary with the firm.
Brush Motors Sustain Legacy Aerospace and Robotics Markets
Magmotor continues to specialize in brush motors even as many competitors transition to brushless alternatives, according to Cerra. The company maintains that legacy systems still require brush motors because their dependability makes them a preferred choice for NASA and the space industry. According to company records, Magmotor brush motors powered the NASA Rover and BattleBots robots, while an Italian firm recently adopted the technology to power ship-cleaning robots. Additional applications include elevators, diving operations, electric lawnmowers, and GPS-guided equipment, utilizing neodymium magnets that the company states can gain more power from small motors.
Balancing In-House Design With Overseas Production Partners
The majority of Magmotor’s output consists of customized designs tailored to specific operational requirements rather than off-the-shelf purchases. Following former U.S. “That’s why we do all the design work in house,” Willigar stated. Cerra noted that while the company handles final assembly domestically, bringing broader manufacturing back to the United States to support local sales involves substantial overhead, financial costs, time, and personnel constraints.
Evaluating AC Motors and Expanding Custom Solutions
Magmotor is currently thinking of returning to building AC motors alongside building more brushless motors, according to Cerra. While this shift requires engineering time and effort, the firm remains committed to its historical backbone of brush motors. The company handles projects ranging from small mom-and-pop operations to multimillion-dollar corporations without imposing high-volume thresholds or large upfront spending requirements. For instance, Willigar noted that the company is collaborating with a husband-and-wife business in the United Kingdom on custom motor solutions under the same framework applied to industrial clients.
Did You Know? Magmotor’s smallest motors measure approximately 1.5 by 2 in. (3.8 to 5 cm), whereas its largest units weigh up to 65 lb. (29.4 kg) and achieve operating speeds reaching 6,000 rpm.
Mitigating Supply Chain Disruptions Through U.S. Partnerships
To reduce customer downtime and address supply chain vulnerabilities, Magmotor collaborates with U.S.-based partners for encoders, brakes, gearboxes, and related motion-control elements to deliver integrated solutions. Cerra cited a recent instance where a customer experienced system-wide failure because an original supplier dropped product support; Magmotor engineered a replacement that improved performance, durability, and build quality. Willigar explained that the company is expanding its inventory of common off-the-shelf motors for immediate shipment and encouraging blanket purchase orders to maintain reliable product flow.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Magmotor Technologies originally founded?
The company was founded in 1876 in Lebanon, New Hampshire, under the name Kendrick and Davis (K&D), before being purchased by Herbert Peterson in its 102nd year and relocated to Worcester, Massachusetts.
What industries utilize Magmotor brush motors?
According to company data, Magmotor brush motors are deployed in aerospace, defense, space exploration—including the NASA Rover—robotics such as BattleBots, elevators, diving equipment, and GPS-guided machinery.
Does Magmotor only handle large industrial orders?
Where is final assembly performed?
Magmotor conducts its design work and final assembly in-house, while utilizing established manufacturing partners in China for bulk production work under strict quality controls.
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