Methods and apparatus are provided for improving operational characteristics of a concentrated winding machine. According to an example embodiment, an apparatus comprises stator teeth having distal ends, the stator teeth arranged in an annular fashion about an axis to define stator slots between adjacent teeth and slot openings between the distal ends of the adjacent teeth, the stator teeth structured to prevent relative movement between adjacent teeth. The apparatus further comprises magnetic wedges structured to be inserted between the distal ends of the adjacent teeth to close the slot openings.