About Zikodrive
We design and build motor controllers for OEMs: brushless DC, stepper and AC induction drives, often in small-to-medium volumes and tailored to the application. Everything is designed and made in the Calder Valley, West Yorkshire.
Making things here again
The Calder Valley was built on manufacturing, and for a long time most of it went elsewhere. Zikodrive was founded in 2015 on the belief that high-quality electronics can still be designed and built here: by skilled local people, paid properly, working to international standards. Ten years on, our customers range from pump manufacturers to medical device makers, and every controller we ship is built by our own team, a few miles from where the valley's mills once stood.
What we do
We take motor control projects from first idea to volume production, or pick them up at whichever stage you're at.
Specify
We start with your application: the motor, the load, the environment and the standards the end product must meet. Then we recommend the right approach, whether that's an existing platform, a tailored version, or a new design.
Design
Our engineers design the hardware and write the firmware in-house, for brushless DC, PMSM, stepper, AC induction and brushed DC motors. Control strategies range from simple speed control to sensorless field-oriented control, chosen to suit the application rather than the spec sheet.
Manufacture
We build, test and support what we design, in our own facility in West Yorkshire, and we also offer [contract electronics manufacturing] for customers' own designs. Every controller is tested before it ships, and we plan for long-term component availability from the start.
What we're working on
We're developing a new generation of controller platform, built around a modern high-performance microcontroller and gate-driver architecture. It's designed to run a wide range of motor types from one flexible hardware base, with better sensorless performance and simpler configuration.
Through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership with the University of Sheffield, we're researching ways to improve motor control efficiency. We've also invested in our own test capability, including dynamometer and precision power analysis, so every improvement is measured, not assumed.
The aim is simple: controllers that are more efficient, easier to commission, and quicker to adapt to new applications.
Learn more about our Research and Development
At Zikodrive, we provide a fully vertically integrated motor controller design and manufacturing service, offering complete control of every stage — from concept to production. This approach allows us to deliver optimised motor control solutions that are efficient, reliable, and precisely matched to the customer’s needs.
Our process begins with consultative design, where we work closely with clients to define electrical, mechanical, and software requirements. Using our in-house expertise in embedded C firmware, hardware design, and motor control algorithms, we create bespoke controllers optimised for specific performance goals — whether that’s torque precision, energy efficiency, or communication flexibility.
Once the design is finalised, prototyping and validation take place. We handle PCB layout, firmware programming, testing, and compliance verification under one roof, ensuring rapid iteration and total design integrity. Because every stage remains in-house, we maintain seamless traceability and high quality throughout development.
Our integrated manufacturing and assembly capabilities enable short lead times, scalable production, and rigorous end-of-line testing to ensure every controller performs to specification. The result is a reliable, production-ready solution backed by engineering support and long-term supply stability.
This end-to-end capability means customers benefit from a single partner responsible for performance, quality, and delivery — a partner deeply invested in achieving their technical and commercial success.
Client Testimonials
"We are very pleased with Zikodrive’s service and the quality of collaboration between our teams in successfully developing our custom electronics boards. Their team has been consistently attentive, responsive, and highly knowledgeable throughout the process. We value the strong communication and professionalism they bring to every stage of the collaboration"
“It was a pleasure to work with Phil and the team. They provided essential knowledge and skills, on time and on budget.”
"Zikodrive has a responsive development team with intelligent grasp of the applications. Valuable input to the design and seamless cooperation contributed to an enjoyable development project."
“[Zikodrive] are allowing us to go into markets that we could not previously tap”