Satcon acquired Magmotor Technologies in 1997. The company, which has produced servomotors for more than 60 years, has since become a specialist in electromechanical motion control systems for high-tech markets such as semiconductor processing, machine tools, robotics and factory automation.

Magmotor offers brushed and brushless servomotors, frameless motors, magnetic levitation products and custom assemblies, including multi-axis stages, as well as add-on products such as encoders, gearboxes, connectors and pulleys.

US Hybrid says that Magmotor will strengthen its ability to offer a wide range of components to medium and heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers. "US Hybrid is now capable of providing cost-effective electromechanical motion and control solutions for both OEM and first-tier suppliers," says Guy Rini, the company’s executive vice-president for commercial vehicle systems.

Magmotor will continue to serve its existing OEM customers. US Hybrid says that its expansion into mobile markets will help to accelerate the commercialisation of alternative drives systems through shared technologies and economies.

US Hybrid, founded in 2000, specialises in designing and manufacturing integrated power conversion components for electric, hybrid and fuel cell vehicles, and renewable energy systems. It uses adaptive digital power converter topologies to provide reliable, cost-effective integrated systems.

US Hybrid’s product portfolio includes DC-DC power converters from 12–1000V, permanent magnet motors and controllers from 0.5–18kW, AC induction motors and controllers from 20–160kW, and energy management systems for advanced batteries.

As well as selling its motors operation, Satcon Technology has also sold its electronics operation to Spectrum Microwave. Together, these divestments have generated $5.6m in cash, which it will use to fund a restructuring plan to focus its resources on expanding its photovoltaic and fuel cell power conditioning businesses.

"We are pleased to collaborate with Spectrum and US Hybrid and are confident that these transactions will strengthen each of our positions in our respective markets," says Satcon’s president and chief executive, Steve Rhoades. "These changes will allow Satcon to more effectively align our resources to accelerate execution of our core strategy of providing best-in-class power-conditioning solutions to the rapidly growing photovoltaic and fuel cell power markets."