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

Ramu Inc. is a start-up company founded by Krishnan Ramu with a research and development team dedicated to the development of switched reluctance motor technology. According to Regal Beloit, switched reluctance technology is a unique motor design that is suitable for applications requiring improved operating efficiencies, high-operating speeds, or high-ambient temperature conditions, and does not utilize permanent magnet materials to create the operating torque of the motor.

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

According to Henry W. Knueppel, chairman and CEO of Regal Beloit, “We are very excited to announce the acquisition of Ramu Inc. The company’s innovative and talented R&D team is an important strategic addition to our global technical resources. We see potential differentiated value for our customers if we are able to successfully integrate this technology into our energy-efficiency motor portfolio.”  

Ramu Inc.’s technology remains in the development stage, and its business historically has not realized operating revenue.

Publication date: 05/02/2011