Back in My Day: How Yaskawa Made Its Mark

The story of Yaskawa’s rise to VFD leadership is one of innovation, resilience, and a relentless focus on quality. Host Greg Weichman and guest Mark Bernicky, Senior Vice President of Yaskawa’s Drives Group, take you behind the scenes of Yaskawa’s journey—from its early days building mining motors in Japan to becoming a powerhouse of VFD technology in North America.

With over 30 years at Yaskawa, Mark shares firsthand insights into key milestones: early U.S. expansion, the shift from brand labeling to direct sales, the game-changing launch of the G3 drive, and the deep-rooted principles that continue to drive Yaskawa’s success today.

They also reflect on the culture that’s kept employees engaged for decades—and the investments being made to secure Yaskawa’s future as a leader in drives, motion, and robotics.

Whether you’re an industry veteran or just discovering Yaskawa’s story, this episode offers an inspiring look at how staying true to your core values can fuel a century of success—and counting.

01:00 Yaskawa's Early History
03:30 Expansion into the U.S. Market
05:10 Transition to Drives Business
08:31 Brand Labeling Strategy
12:55 G3 is the world’s first IGBT Transistor Drive
13:52 Manufacturing in the U.S.
17:44 Acquisition of Magnetek
24:10 Core Tenets and Company Culture
28:36 Future Outlook and Conclusion

Have a topic you want us to cover? Email marcom@yaskawa.com and let us know!