The Wisconsin Electric Machines and Power Electronics Consortium was initiated at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in January 1981. WEMPEC is comprised of a technology focus center at the university that is sponsored by companies that hold an interest in electric machines and power electronics. These sponsors help support an active program in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Department of Mechanical Engineering. With a mission to provide education, research and service, WEMPEC continues to serve as a model for programs dependent on a strong interaction between universities and industry. The faculty at WEMPEC has established a comprehensive curriculum in the electrical machines and power electronics field that serves students at the university as well as engineers already established in the industry. The courses are offered on campus and on videotape through the Engineering Outreach Program, and are complemented by short courses and tutorials that are offered periodically on campus, at technical meetings, and by special arrangement at company locations. Teaching efforts have been further enhanced through the establishment of a world-class teaching and research laboratory. An outstanding group of graduate students and visiting scholars have established an internationally recognized level of excellence in their research contributions. Industrial interest in the WEMPEC research program has been maintained by a concerted effort to keep projects relevant to long term industrial needs and through an efficient technology transfer process. Our numerous sponsors exemplify WEMPEC's success. The enabling nature of power electronics and its impact on factory automation, robotics, transportation, energy efficiency, electric automobiles, residential and commercial appliances, alternate energy and computers as well as other electronic equipment is well known and becoming increasingly recognized. WEMPEC, with the cooperation and support of its industrial sponsors, will continue to play an important role in bringing new generations of power electronics and electric machine technologies to fruition. Visit our become a sponsor page if you are interested in becoming a member of WEMPEC.