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For more than 50 years, the company has produced hi-tech automatic machines for the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, food, tea and coffee industries.
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Values and Mission

IMA’s mission is to invest in technologies that will improve the quality of life on the planet, reduce food waste, increase access to more effective drugs and allow greater respect for the environment.

IMA is in the heart of the Packaging Valley, the advanced mechanics and industrial automation cluster in Emilia-Romagna, Italy, and its philosophy is based on research and innovation. Since 1961, for more than 50 years the company has produced hi-tech automatic machines for the processing and packaging of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food, tea and coffee

Its position of leadership is the result of significant investment 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.

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Marco Vacchi (Honorary Chairman) and Alberto Vacchi (Chairman and CEO) with some IMA's employees

How it all started

The Ideas Take Shape

1961

  • I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche was established in Bologna.
  • The first machine designed by IMA was for the packaging of powdery products into folded paper envelopes.

1963

  • The Vacchi family purchased 52% of IMA, transforming it into a joint-stock company to best promote its industrial growth.

1967 – 1972

  • The production of automatic tea bagging machines, a sector in which IMA is now the undisputed world leader, began.
  • Development of the C20 for the packaging of tea in filter bags and launch of the company on to international markets.

The New Frontiers in Packaging

1976

  • IMA began manufacturing automatic machines for the packaging of pharmaceutical products, by launching a blister machine.

1987 – 1988

  • Setting up of branch offices in Europe and the USA.
  • Acquisition of well-known Italian companies (Zanasi and Farmomac) manufacturing packaging machines for the pharmaceutical sector.

1990 – 1993

  • Merger of the companies acquired between 1985 and 1988 into IMA and organization on a Division basis. Acquisition of Win.Pack (blister machines).
  • Joint-venture with Omori, Japan.

The Growth and Consolidation

1995 – 1996

  • Listing of IMA on the Milan Stock Exchange. Acquisition of BFB, Italy (end-of-line machines), Libra, Italy (washing machines and sterilisation tunnels) and Precision Gears, India (blister and cartoning machines).
  • Opening of a branch office in Beijing and the setting up of two joint-ventures in China.

1997 – 1998

  • IMA’s Quality System was awarded ISO 9001 Certification. Opening of two branch offices in Japan and Madeira.

2000 – 2001

  • Acquisition of Kilian, Germany (tablet press machines) and GS Coating, Italy (coating equipment).
  • Setting up of a branch office in Spain. Acquisition of Ico, Italy (fluid bed granulators) and Co.ma.di.s., Italy (tube filling machines).
  • Listing of IMA’s stocks in the STAR (Prime Quality Stocks) segment of the Milan Stock Exchange.

2002 – 2003

  • Merger of BFB into IMA. Setting up of the third joint-venture in China. Opening of a branch office in Thailand.

2004

  • Merger of Libra into IMA. Acquistion of 90.7% of the US Packaging Systems Holding, owners of Nova Packaging Systems, world leader in counting machines and holding company of  Swiftpack Automation, UK.

2005

  • Joint-venture with the Telstar Group, Spain (freeze-drying equipment for the pharmaceutical industry).
  • IMA-Telstar controls 55% of the Chinese company Telstar Huadong.

2006

  • Acquisition of VIMA Impianti, Italy (powder handling and washing systems).
  • Acquisition of remaining 9.3% of the US Packaging Systems Holding.
  • Acquisition of another 34% stake in Precision Gears, India. 

 2007

  • Transfer of the activities of former Libra Pharmaceutical Technologies and of IMA Aseptic Processing & Filling Division to IMA Libra, a new company.
  • Acquisition of Zanchetta, Italy (powder handling and washing systems).
  • Merger between VIMA Impianti and Zanchetta and subsequent establishment of Zanchetta.
  • IMA and Telstar terminate the alliance.

2008

  • Acquisition of  the freeze-drying machinery business of the BOC Edwards Pharmaceutical Systems Group, undisputed leader in this sector.
  • Acquisition of the Chinese Edwards Tianli Pharmaceutical Systems.
  • Setting up of the Group’s new organisational structure featuring 4 leading business areas in the main sectors: IMA Flavour S.r.l. (Tea & Coffee Packaging Solutions), IMA Active Division (Solid Dose Solutions), IMA Life  S.r.l. (Aseptic Processing & Filling Solutions) and IMA Safe S.r.l. (Packaging Solutions).

2009

  • Opening of a new branch office in Brazil. IMA S.p.A. acquires through its subsidiary IMA Life S.r.l. 51% of PharmaSiena Service S.r.l., a company that operates in the design and production of filling machines for ampoules and syringes in aseptic environments.

2010

  • The freeze drying machinery business of the BOC Edwards Pharmaceutical Systems Group has been re-named IMA Life, with plants in the Netherlands, the USA and China.
  • IMA acquires a majority stake in GIMA S.p.A., a packaging company based near Bologna, Italy, which operates prevalently in food & beverage and personal care.
  • In October 2010 IMA signs an agreement for the acquisition of the “Dairy & Convenience Food” division of the Sympak Corazza Group.
  • IMA’s expansion continues in niche food packaging.

Latest Acquisitions and Alliances

2011

  • In February 2011 IMA completes the closing of the “Dairy & Convenience Food” division and purchases the “Chocolate & Confectionery” business of the Sympak Corazza Group.
  • In March 2011 IMA and SACMI sign an agreement to share the newco “CMH”. This company, dedicated to the chocolate industry, becomes “Carle&Montanari Holding” to be held on an equal-share basis.
  • Setting up of the Group’s new organisational structure featuring two main brands: IMA Industries (machines for the packaging of tea, coffee, food and cosmetic products) and IMA Pharma (machines for the processing and packaging of pharmaceutical products).

2013

  • Acquisition of a 40% interest in the ILAPAK Group (Switzerland).
  • Acquisition of a 59% interest in Shanghai Tianyan Pharmaceutical Machinery (China).
  • Sale of the entire investment in Stephan Machinery GmbH.
  • Sale of the entire investment in IMA Kilian GmbH & Co. KG IMA’s investment in the ILAPAK Group rises to 51%.

2014

  • IMA’s investment in the ILAPAK Group rises to 81%.
  • Sale of the investment in Zibo IMA Xinhua Pharmatech Co. Ltd.
  • Acquisition of a minority equity interest of CONTINUUS Pharmaceuticals.
  • Agreement signed for the acquisition of BENHIL, ERCA, HASSIA, HAMBA and GASTI (OYSTAR Group).

2015

  • Agreement signed for the acquisition of a stake in Teknoweb Converting.
  • Completion of acquisition of BENHIL, ERCA, HASSIA, HAMBA and GASTI (OYSTAR Group).
  • Completion of acquisition of a stake in Teknoweb Converting.
  • Sale of the holding in CMH.

2016

  • Agreement signed for the acquisition of the Medtech businesses of Komax Group and Telerobot.
  • Completion of acquisition of the Medtech business of Komax Group.
  • IMA increases its interest in the Dairy&Food Group to 100%.
  • Completion of acquisition of Telerobot.
  • Agreement signed for the acquisition of an 80% interest in Mapster and a minority stake in Petroncini.
  • Agreement signed for the acquisition of a stake in MAI S.A.

2017

  • Completion of acquisition of a stake in MAI S.A.
  • Completion of acquisition of an 80% interest in Mapster.
  • Agreement signed for the acquisition of a 60% stake in EUROSICMA S.p.A.
  • Completion of acquisition of a 60% stake in EUROSICMA S.p.A. 

2018

  • IMA has exercised its option to buy a further 31% of Petroncini.
  • Agreement signed for the acquisition of a 82.5% stake in Tissue Machinery Company (TMC).
  • Completion of acquisition of a 82.5% stake in Tissue Machinery Company (TMC).
  • Agreement signed for the acquisition of a 70% stake in Ciemme.
  • Completion of acquisition of a 70% stake in Ciemme.

2019

  • Agreement signed for the acquisition of a 70% stake in Spreafico Automation and a 61.45% stake in Tecmar S.A.
  • Closing of the acquisition of 70% of Spreafico Automation and 61.45% of Tecmar S.A.
  • Agreement signed for the acquisition from Charme Capital Partners SGR of the majority of ATOP, world leader in industrial automation for the production of electric motors for E-traction.
  • Closing reached for the acquisition from Charme Capital Partners SGR of the majority of ATOP.
  • Acquisition of 60% of Perfect Pack.

Different markets. Same worldwide flexibility.

IMA is world leader in the design and manufacture of automatic machines for the processing and packaging of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food, tea and coffee.
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