Regal Beloit Buys Khosla-backed Ramu

Publicly traded Regal Beloit Corp. has acquired motor and control technology company Ramu Inc. Blacksburg, Va.-based Ramu was funded by venture capital investor Khosla Ventures. Terms of the acquisition were not released. Ramu is focused on switched reluctance motor technology – motor design suitable for applications requiring high operating speeds or high ambient temperature conditions, the company said in a written statement. Wisconsin-based Regal Beloit is a manufacturer of mechanical and electrical motion control and power generation products.

PRESS RELEASE
Regal Beloit Corporation (NYSE: RBC) today announced that it has acquired Ramu, Inc., a motor and control technology company headquartered in Blacksburg, Virginia, 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. 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. An additional strategic feature of switched reluctance is that it 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, Virginia. 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.

About REGAL BELOIT CORPORATION:

Regal Beloit Corporation is a leading manufacturer of mechanical and electrical motion control and power generation products serving markets throughout the world. Regal Beloit is headquartered in Beloit, Wisconsin, and has manufacturing, sales, and service facilities throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Asia. Regal Beloit’s common stock is a component of the S&P Mid Cap 400 Index and the Russell 2000 Index.