Power Integrations CEO Balu Balakrishnan to Retire
Power Integrations (POWI) announced that CEO Balu Balakrishnan, who has led the company since 2002, will retire once a successor is appointed. The board has initiated an executive search considering both internal and external candidates. Balakrishnan, 70, will transition to executive chairman to ensure a smooth succession and plans to remain on the board thereafter.
Balakrishnan joined Power Integrations in 1989 from National Semiconductor and has been instrumental in the company's growth, inventing key products including TOPSwitch™ and TinySwitch™ with EcoSmart™ technology. He holds over 200 U.S. patents and has received numerous awards, including the Discover Award for Technological Innovation. Before becoming CEO, he served as president and chief operating officer in 2001.
Power Integrations (POWI) ha annunciato che il CEO Balu Balakrishnan, che guida l'azienda dal 2002, si ritirerà una volta nominato un successore. Il consiglio ha avviato una ricerca esecutiva considerando candidati sia interni che esterni. Balakrishnan, 70 anni, passerà a presidente esecutivo per garantire una successione senza intoppi e prevede di rimanere nel consiglio in seguito.
Balakrishnan è entrato in Power Integrations nel 1989 proveniente da National Semiconductor ed è stato fondamentale per la crescita dell'azienda, inventando prodotti chiave tra cui TOPSwitch™ e TinySwitch™ con tecnologia EcoSmart™. Detiene oltre 200 brevetti statunitensi ed ha ricevuto numerosi premi, incluso il Discover Award per l'Innovazione Tecnologica. Prima di diventare CEO, ha ricoperto il ruolo di presidente e direttore operativo nel 2001.
Power Integrations (POWI) anunció que el CEO Balu Balakrishnan, quien ha dirigido la empresa desde 2002, se retirará una vez que se designe a un sucesor. La junta ha iniciado una búsqueda ejecutiva considerando tanto candidatos internos como externos. Balakrishnan, de 70 años, pasará a ser presidente ejecutivo para asegurar una transición sin contratiempos y planea continuar en la junta posteriormente.
Balakrishnan se unió a Power Integrations en 1989, proveniente de National Semiconductor, y ha sido fundamental en el crecimiento de la empresa, inventando productos clave como TOPSwitch™ y TinySwitch™ con tecnología EcoSmart™. Posee más de 200 patentes en EE.UU. y ha recibido numerosos premios, incluido el Discover Award por Innovación Tecnológica. Antes de convertirse en CEO, se desempeñó como presidente y director de operaciones en 2001.
파워 인티그레이션스 (POWI)는 2002년부터 회사를 이끌어온 CEO 발루 발라크리슈난이 후임자가 임명되면 은퇴할 것이라고 발표했다. 이사회는 내부 및 외부 후보자를 모두 고려하여 임원 검색을 시작했다. 70세의 발라크리슈난은 원활한 세대 교체를 보장하기 위해 임원 의장으로 전환하고 그 이후에도 이사회에 남을 계획이다.
발라크리슈난은 1989년 내셔널 반도체에서 파워 인티그레이션스로 합류하였으며, TOPSwitch™ 및 EcoSmart™ 기술이 적용된 TinySwitch™ 등 회사의 성장에 중요한 역할을 해왔다. 그는 200개 이상의 미국 특허를 보유하고 있으며, 기술 혁신을 위한 Discover Award를 포함해 많은 상을 수상했다. CEO가 되기 전에 2001년에는 사장 및 COO로 재직했다.
Power Integrations (POWI) a annoncé que le PDG Balu Balakrishnan, qui dirige l'entreprise depuis 2002, prendra sa retraite dès qu'un successeur sera nommé. Le conseil d'administration a lancé une recherche de dirigeants en considérant des candidats internes et externes. Balakrishnan, 70 ans, deviendra président exécutif pour garantir une transition en douceur et prévoit de rester au conseil par la suite.
Balakrishnan a rejoint Power Integrations en 1989 en provenance de National Semiconductor et a joué un rôle clé dans la croissance de l'entreprise, en inventant des produits phares tels que TOPSwitch™ et TinySwitch™ avec la technologie EcoSmart™. Il détient plus de 200 brevets aux États-Unis et a reçu de nombreux prix, dont le Discover Award pour l'innovation technologique. Avant de devenir PDG, il a occupé le poste de président et directeur des opérations en 2001.
Power Integrations (POWI) gab bekannt, dass der CEO Balu Balakrishnan, der das Unternehmen seit 2002 leitet, in den Ruhestand gehen wird, sobald ein Nachfolger ernannt ist. Der Vorstand hat eine Suche nach Führungskräften eingeleitet, die sowohl interne als auch externe Kandidaten in Betracht zieht. Balakrishnan, 70 Jahre alt, wird zum Executive Chairman wechseln, um eine reibungslose Nachfolge zu gewährleisten, und plant, danach im Vorstand zu bleiben.
Balakrishnan trat 1989 von National Semiconductor zu Power Integrations über und war maßgeblich am Wachstum des Unternehmens beteiligt. Er erfand wichtige Produkte wie TOPSwitch™ und TinySwitch™ mit EcoSmart™-Technologie. Er besitzt über 200 US-Patente und hat zahlreiche Auszeichnungen erhalten, darunter den Discover Award für technologische Innovation. Bevor er CEO wurde, war er 2001 Präsident und COO.
- CEO transition includes retention as executive chairman, ensuring leadership continuity
- Strong intellectual property portfolio with over 200 U.S. patents
- Established product portfolio including TOPSwitch™ and TinySwitch™ technologies
- Uncertainty during CEO transition period
- Loss of long-term technical leadership with inventor CEO stepping down
Insights
The announced retirement of Power Integrations' CEO Balu Balakrishnan marks a pivotal moment for this
The transition strategy appears well-structured with three key elements:
- Retention of current CEO until successor appointment
- Planned shift to executive chairman role
- Engagement of executive search firm considering both internal and external candidates
The succession planning demonstrates strong corporate governance, mitigating immediate investor concerns about leadership continuity. Balakrishnan's commitment to remain as executive chairman significantly reduces transition risks and preserves important institutional knowledge - particularly valuable given his inventor status with over 200 patents.
However, investors should monitor several critical factors:
- Time frame for new CEO appointment - extended searches can create strategic uncertainty
- Potential strategic shifts under new leadership, especially regarding R&D focus and market expansion
- Retention of key engineering talent during transition
The company's strong intellectual property portfolio and established market position in energy-efficient solutions provide a solid foundation for the incoming CEO. The timing aligns with industry trends toward power efficiency and sustainable technologies, suggesting potential for continued growth despite leadership changes.
Will remain CEO until successor is in place and then continue as executive chairman to ensure smooth transition
Power Integrations CEO Balu Balakrishnan (Photo: Business Wire)
Mr. Balakrishnan joined Power Integrations in 1989, shortly after its formation, from National Semiconductor, where he was a product-line manager. He is the inventor of many Power Integrations products including TOPSwitch™, the company’s first commercial product, followed by TinySwitch™, the first product to feature the company’s renowned EcoSmart™ technology for reducing standby-power waste. Mr. Balakrishnan served in a succession of executive roles before being named president and chief operating officer in 2001. In 2002 he was named CEO and joined the company’s board of directors. He has been awarded more than 200 U.S. patents and has received numerous awards including the Discover Award for Technological Innovation in recognition of the environmental benefits of EcoSmart technology.
Commented Mr. Balakrishnan: “I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved at Power Integrations over the past 35 years. And while it is time for me to turn over leadership of the company to a new CEO, I remain as passionate as ever about the work we are doing, and I believe exciting times are ahead. We have a talented, dedicated workforce and a promising array of products and technologies with which to pursue growth opportunities in a broad range of end markets. I look forward to working with our new CEO to ensure a smooth transition.”
Bala Iyer, lead independent director of Power Integrations’ board, added: “The board and I congratulate Balu for all that he has achieved at Power Integrations, and we are delighted that he will continue to play an important role in the company’s future. Balu is not only one of the great inventors in the history of the power semiconductor industry, but also an outstanding leader who has built a durable franchise with strong intellectual property, a deep reservoir of engineering talent and a culture that nurtures innovation. I am confident that we will identify an outstanding individual to lead the company in its next phase of growth, building on the strong foundation that Balu has put in place.”
About Power Integrations
Power Integrations, Inc. is a leading innovator in semiconductor technologies for high-voltage power-conversion. The company’s products are key building blocks in the clean-power ecosystem, enabling the generation of renewable energy as well as the efficient transmission and consumption of power in applications ranging from milliwatts to megawatts. For more information please visit www.power.com.
Power Integrations, TOPSwitch, TinySwitch, EcoSmart and the Power Integrations logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Power Integrations, Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250206730824/en/
Joe Shiffler
Power Integrations, Inc.
(408) 414-8528
joe@power.com
Source: Power Integrations, Inc.
FAQ
When will Power Integrations (POWI) CEO Balu Balakrishnan retire?
What will be Balu Balakrishnan's role at POWI after stepping down as CEO?
How long has Balu Balakrishnan been with Power Integrations (POWI)?
What are the major innovations Balu Balakrishnan brought to POWI?
How is POWI conducting its search for a new CEO?
