Yaskawa America, Inc. Expands into Colombia with Acquisition of Variadores SAS
Strengthening Yaskawa’s direct presence in Colombia, the acquisition of Variadores SAS builds on a 35-year partnership
In a strategic move that strengthens its reach across the Andean region, Yaskawa America, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Yaskawa Electric Corporation, has fully acquired Variadores SAS. This announcement marks the next chapter in a partnership that has spanned more than three decades.
Variadores SAS, founded in 1987 by three friends, has steadily established itself as the leading supplier of variable speed drives in Colombia. Over the years, the company has grown to 148 employees and built a reputation as the “Drive Experts in Colombia,” serving diverse market segments from industrial to municipal, and particularly distinguishing itself in the Oil and Gas sector. Variadores offers a comprehensive suite of services, including selection, design, application, packaging, systems, solutions, service, monitoring, and repairs.
The synergy between the two companies has been strong from the beginning. Variadores has been a Yaskawa partner since 1991, working independently but closely with the global automation leader. According to Yaskawa America President and CEO, Mike Knapek, “I have been directly involved with this partnership for the last 25 years of this 35-year partnership. Rarely have we had a partner that was more lockstep with our customer-centric philosophy of providing the highest quality solutions backed with the very best automation knowledge and customer service. For many years, it has been like we were already one company, and now we are formalizing that attitude and spirit into a legal business entity with the Yaskawa name.”
Headquartered in Bogotá, and with additional offices in Medellín, Cali, and Barranquilla, Variadores’ entire team and management will remain in place, ensuring continuity and local expertise as the company transitions to become Yaskawa in Colombia.
Yaskawa Electric Corporation, established in 1915, is recognized as a global leader in factory automation solutions, with established positions in Drives, Motion Control, and Robotics. The company also maintains a significant share of the Photovoltaic (PV) inverter market in both North America and Japan.
David Giraldo, Managing Director of Variadores SAS, sees this acquisition as a springboard for regional growth: “Colombia stands out as a dynamic emerging market with strong industrial potential and regional connectivity. Together with Yaskawa, we see the opportunity to further strengthen Colombia’s role as a key platform for growth across Latin America.”
With this acquisition, Yaskawa cements its direct presence in Colombia and the broader Andean region, building on a foundation of expertise, shared values, and a commitment to driving automation solutions forward.
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