148-Year-Old Motor Company Plans to Triple Jobs and Revenue

A company that started building motors in the horse-and-buggy era is now powering Mars rovers and planning its biggest growth spurt in decades.

Magmotor Technologies has been quietly making custom motors in Worcester, Massachusetts since 1876. After 148 years in business, the company just announced plans to triple both its workforce and revenue.

The secret to their longevity? They make brush motors that nobody else wants to bother with anymore.

While most manufacturers switched to brushless technology, Magmotor stuck with the older designs because they're incredibly reliable. NASA trusts these motors for space missions, and some customers report their motors running flawlessly for 20 years straight.

Production manager Jamie Willigar has watched the company evolve for 21 years. Senior engineer Scott Cerra is approaching his 20th anniversary, and several team members have been there over 25 years.

Now those veterans are preparing to train fresh talent. As longtime employees near retirement, Magmotor is hiring a new generation to carry the company forward.

The motors power everything from Mars rovers to ship-cleaning robots in Italy. They run elevators, electric lawnmowers, and even the combat robots on BattleBots.

Magmotor's smallest motors fit in the palm of your hand at just 1.5 inches. The largest weigh 65 pounds and spin at 6,000 revolutions per minute.

The Ripple Effect

What makes Magmotor unusual is how they treat customers. They work with everyone from husband-and-wife startups in the UK to multimillion-dollar aerospace corporations, giving each the same attention and custom service.

When competitors might demand huge upfront orders, Magmotor takes on small custom projects other manufacturers won't touch. They recently helped a small British company design specialized motors, approaching the partnership exactly like they would with a major industrial client.

The company is even rethinking old rivalries. Willigar used to view other motor makers as competition until he realized they all serve different needs in a massive industry.

Now Magmotor is planning to expand again into AC motors after decades of focusing on DC designs. They're also exploring brushless options while keeping their beloved brush motors in production.

After a century and a half of adapting to changing technology, from powering early industrial equipment to enabling modern robotics and space exploration, this Massachusetts company shows no signs of slowing down.