Industria Macchine

Automatiche S.p.A

Established in 1961, IMA - www.ima.it - is world leader in the design and manufacture of automatic machines for the processing and packaging of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, tea, coffee and food. Its position of leadership is the result of significant investments in R&D, regular and constructive dialogue with the end-users in its sectors and the Group's ability to expand internationally, conquering new markets. Its history features a constant growth that has enabled the Group to close the year 2013 with a consolidated turnover of 760.9 million Euros, 92% of which destined for export. The Group, whose Chairman is Alberto Vacchi, has more than 3,700 employees, more than 1,500 of whom overseas, and is present in about 80 countries, supported by a sales network made up of 27 branches (Italy, France, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, Spain, Poland, Israel, Russia, the United States, India, China, Malaysia, Thailand and Brazil), representative offices in central-eastern Europe and more than 50 agencies. The Group has 24 production plants in Italy, Switzerland, the UK, the USA, India and China. IMA acquired in 2013 the majority stake in the ILAPAK Group, which makes primary packaging machines for the food sector using flexible material (horizontal and vertical flowpacks). IMA S.p.A. has been listed on the Milan Stock Exchange since 1995 and in 2001 joined the STAR segment. IMA has filed about 1,200 patents; over 400 designers committed to product innovation have allowed IMA to launch many new machine models over the last years.

IMA provides the end-user tasks to the TIMAIRIS team in the showcase round and pilot experiment. The tasks involve a robotised procedure to feed with flat blanks some packaging machines. A realistic scenario will be prepared, including running machines and blanks supplies.

IMA has an incomparable experience on automatic machines, although has approached robotised system only recently. The collaboration with the IRIS in the EuRoC project is an opportunity to innovate toward the ‘industry of the future’.