Every modern manufacturing line depends on precise motion control. Behind that control are drive
systems — the technology that transformed industry from the age of steam to the age of electronic automation. The story of drives is the story of how industry itself evolved — from spinning waterwheels to digitally synchronized production lines.
From Waterwheels to Variable Frequency Drives: The Power That Moves Modern Industry
Posted on
November 13, 2025 by
Cecelia Rice
At Premier Automation, we believe that industrial modernization is not just about keeping up with technology; it’s about adapting to new challenges and shaping the future as technology evolves.
That vision comes directly from the top. The president of Premier Automation and leading expert in automation and drive systems in the U.S, Mike Gunniers, leads our teams with an engineer’s problem-solving mindset and a people-first approach, empowering those inside and outside the company.


