An electrical machine permanent magnet rotor (and associated method of making) includes a plurality of disc-shaped laminations arranged in a stacked configuration. Each of the laminations has a plurality of magnetic material slots circumferentially spaced around a peripheral portion thereof. A first set of the slots on each lamination has a material bridge between a radial end of the slot and an outer circumferential edge of the lamination. A second set of the slots on each lamination have a radial end that extends to the outer circumferential edge of the lamination and is void of the material bridge.