Electric Motor & Contracting

02/09/2026

EMC recently deployed its motion amplification camera and software to support a Pulp & Paper customer with a persistent “bad actor” application in their mill. Using this technology, EMC’s Engineering team identified axial movement in the driven equipment’s mounting pedestal—an issue that was significantly amplifying vibration throughout the entire equipment train.
By pairing advanced motion amplification tools with deep engineering expertise, EMC delivers solutions grounded in real, measurable data—improving reliability, reducing unnecessary downtime, and addressing root causes rather than symptoms.
Do you have equipment in your mill or plant that consistently causes problems? Contact EMC and let us help strengthen your reliability program.

01/21/2026

In Loving Memory of Frankie Johnson
January 17, 2026 | Age 67

We are deeply saddened to share the passing of a beloved member of the EMC family. Frankie Johnson passed away on January 17, 2026, at the age of 67.

Frankie dedicated 46 years of his life to the motor repair industry, including 25 years with EMC. He began his career in 1978 as an apprentice at our Campostella location in Norfolk. Through his apprenticeship, Frankie learned both the mechanical and rewind trades, ultimately discovering his true passion in rewind work. He went on to excel as a motor winder throughout the remainder of his career.

Although Frankie left EMC in 1995, he chose to return home in 2016. For the next five years, he served as a foreman in the rewind shop, where his leadership, knowledge, and character quickly stood out. Frankie possessed an outstanding work ethic, a wealth of knowledge, a patient and kind demeanor, and a true passion for mentoring and teaching others. These qualities made him the ideal person to help EMC implement a new apprenticeship program. From January 2022 until his retirement in December 2024, Frankie dedicated himself to developing a program focused on training future generations of motor winders, inspectors, mechanics, and field technicians. While Frankie had many accomplishments during his long career, one of his greatest legacies is the apprenticeship program that continues to thrive today.

Beyond his professional life, Frankie was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He considered his coworkers to be his extended family and was highly respected and deeply loved by all who had the privilege of knowing him. We are profoundly grateful for everything Frankie contributed to EMC, and we will forever cherish the memories we shared with him.

A funeral service will be held on Sunday, January 25, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Parr Funeral Home in Suffolk, Virginia. Burial will follow at Holly Lawn Cemetery. Friends and colleagues are invited to visit with the family on Saturday, January 24, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM at the funeral home.
Frankie will be truly missed, but his impact, legacy, and spirit will live on within EMC for generations to come.

11/27/2025

In the spirit of the season, we want to give thanks to all of our wonderful employees and customers who make our growth not just possible, but worthwhile. May this Thanksgiving be full of joy, and the start of a happy holiday season!
Happy Thanksgiving from EMC.

10/13/2025

We are mourning the loss of a dear member of our EMC family. Otis Harding passed away on October 4, 2025 at the age of 66.

Otis was a first class motor mechanic and originally employed from 1991 to 2002. After being away for over 20 years, he decided to come home to EMC in 2023.

Otis was dedicated and a hard worker. He was an excellent role model and mentor to rising mechanics. Otis was also a wonderful husband to his wife, Holanda and loving father and grandfather to his children and grandchildren.

Otis will be dearly missed but a piece of him will live on within our facility. Along with the memories we will cherish, his family has allowed us to retain his toolbox and collection of tools which will be used by our apprentices and techs in training. In this way, Otis will continue to have a part in developing future mechanics.

Otis - Rest in peace dear friend.

09/29/2025

It's , and we have all types of motors making their way through the repair process at EMC. Below are a few examples of what we currently have going through the motor shop:

1. Dual winding (200/75), 460 volt,1800rpm motor refurbishment, including rewind. A new bearing cap was reverse engineered by our engineering team, and manufactured by our machine shop.
2. 4000 volt motor generator (MG) set refurbishment, including rewind
3. 2,250hp, 4000 volt motor refurbishment
4. 12,500hp, 13,200 volt motor refurbishment
5. 6000hp, 6,600 volt Reactor Coolant Pump Motor refurbishment. Our technicians are utilizing specialized fall protection designed specifically for these tall vertical machines.

www.emc-co.com

06/10/2025

The EMC family is mourning the loss of M. Linda Ralston. On May 28, 2025, Linda lost her hard fought battle with cancer.

Linda began her career with EMC on July 3, 1968 after graduating high school. As one of the company’s first employees, she served as the Office Manager, head of IT, and Corporate Secretary during her years of service. Throughout her career, Linda was involved in every office function from accounting, IT, HR, and production. She played a key part in training every administrative employee who joined the company during her tenure. In 1986, her husband, Russ, also joined EMC keeping to the tradition of EMC being a family business. Linda partially retired in 2017 but continued to work parttime until June 2021. She had 53 years of dedicated service. When we think about the history of EMC and the company’s growth over the years, Linda will always be an integral part of those memories. Linda was not just a coworker, manager, mentor – she was family and she will be deeply missed.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, June 16, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Hollomon-Brown, Great Bridge Chapel; the family will receive friends one hour prior. Burial will follow at Chesapeake Memorial Gardens.

05/27/2025

EMC was recently featured in CoVaBIZ Magazine. Check out the link below!

05/21/2025

Beautiful work recently completed by our talented winders. This1200hp/508 rpm/4000 volt vertical motor is ready to go through the VPI process.

www.emc-co.com

05/01/2025

We are very proud of all of our apprentices; those who are currently enrolled in the program and those who have graduated. Thank you Tidewater Community College for your partnership in educating and training the next generation of our workforce!

📣 Today on National Apprenticeship Day, TCC extends a heartfelt thank you to some of our outstanding partners whose support powers our Registered Apprenticeship programs and creates real “learn-and-earn” pathways:

Norfolk Naval Shipyard
BAE Systems, Inc. Norfolk Ship Repair
STIHL Inc.
Electric Motor & Contracting Company
Sumitomo Electric Group in the USA

Our shared commitment to workforce development—through on-the-job training, mentorship, and industry expertise—helps our apprentices build the skills industries need and launch into high-demand careers. We’re proud to collaborate with you in strengthening our economy and our community! ⚙️🔨

04/29/2025

04/21/2025

Our EMC Field Service Technicians provide the highest level of quality service at your location. Along with in-shop repairs, EMC can offer removal and reinstallation of your rotating equipment, along with on-site services including laser alignment, vibration analysis, bearing inspections, and DC and Synchronous motor preventative maintenance.

04/08/2025

Pictured below are two recent jobs completed in the EMC Machine Shop. The first picture is a baffle, manufactured from billet aluminum, as part of the refurbishment of a 12,500hp motor for the Nuclear Power Industry. The second picture is a bearing cap, manufactured out of billet ductile iron on our CNC mill, as part of the refurbishment of a 1,500hp motor out of a Tire Manufacturing Facility. EMC's Machine Shop has precision machine tools and highly skilled machinists to repair or manufacture the parts needed to to provide industry leading motor and pump refurbishment.

www.emc-co.com