IMESPA
The wide range of available products proves IME’s continuous strive towards new products and technologies and a distinguished feature throughout the company’s history. Numerous resources and investments have always been allocated to Research and Development making IME one of the most skilled and qualified companies in the field of electrical motors. The integration of new engineering talent is an ongoing continuous process and a clear indication of IME’s approach to future markets.
Today IME is undoubtedly the market player that can offer the widest variety of electric motors both in terms of technology and power level (from very low Watts to 50 KiloWatts).
The common trait to all these products is their being “special”. IME exclusively produces customized electric motors, that are designed to meet the specific needs of each individual customer.
The IME Quality System has been certified since the early nineties (currently ISO 9001:2015): the quality of the production process, the product and the service provided to customers has always been considered the priority objective in the business management – and will never cease to be so.
The attention to the safety of its employees and respect for the environment are values which IME has complied with since its foundation, succeeding over the years in continuously improving the sustainability of the business.
After a primary focus on the domestic market during the early years of operation, IME has gradually grown its export market and become increasingly international. up to the point where the export sales have now greatly exceeded the domestic sales. IME is now a true global presence in terms of sales and supply chain.
The generational change in leadership within the same family guarantees the respect of the same ethical and entrepreneurial principles constantly pursued since IME’s creation.
A JOURNEY THROUGH INNOVATION
- 1972
- 1993
- 1996
- 2001
- 2004
- 2007
- 2013
- 2016
1972
The birth
IME was founded in Manerbio in 1972 and it has been since then owned by one single family that, despite the considerable efforts required to conduct its agricultural and animal farming activities, has always decided to manage it directly. Over the years, the bond has strengthened more and more, making IME a true family affection.
The early years production consisted of small fans with induction motors as well as universal motors for hair-dryers and small domestic appliances, essentially built for the Italian market.
In the late seventies IME exceeds the threshold of 5 million motors manufactured annually.
The growth becomes constant, the IME brand begins to be recognized and appreciated abroad, and new products follow at a fast pace.
1993
The first permanent magnet motors
In 1993 the first important “leap” in technology: the first permanent magnet commutator motors were added to universal motors, giving IME the opportunity to quickly establish itself as a leader in the market of coffee grinder motors. In the following years, this technology is successfully used by IME in numerous other fields of application, especially in automatic gate openers.
1996
Floor-care motor production begins
In 1996, IME made significant investments in manufacturing engineering for vacuum cleaner motor production, a market thought to be ideal for the continuous growth of the company.
The choice proved to be spot-on and IME quickly became to be widely recognized as one of the main international market players, thanks to the reliability and quality of its vacuum units.
The available manufacturing footprint was not sufficient for this new industrial development, therefore IME decided to build a brand-new plant on an area of about 10,000 square meters in the nearby town of Pontevico.
From the early 1990s onwards, IME’s export market became increasingly significant and its customers’ portfolio began to include the most prestigious brands in the world for household appliances, vacuum cleaners, power nozzles and power tools.
2001
Asynchronous motors
In 2001, there was a second significant technological “leap”, with the start of production of asynchronous motors.
The occasion was prompted by a major user of asynchronous electric motors for burners (about 400,000 per year), who decided to outsource its domestic production. IME was among the candidates, won against the competition and with a huge investment, completely took over the production lines and tooling.
An additional plant was needed which was quickly identified and purchased, next to the historic plant of Manerbio.
In less than one year since the decision, the whole operation was completed with the first production of asynchronous motors for the new important customer.
2004
The first developments of PM brushless motors
In 2004 IME, tireless in its striving for the development of new technologies, invested in the first production line of permanent magnet brushless motors.
2007
Specialty asynchronous motors
Following the same footsteps of permanent magnet motors, the initial range of asynchronous motors was also expanded and diversified over the years to meet requests from the most various fields of applications: from gardening to ventilation, from pumps to professional tools, from food processors to hoists, and so on. High interest is shown for the specialty asynchronous motors because of the advanced technical solutions implemented. Development started in 2007 for niche markets such as artificial snow systems, high temperature ventilation, oxygenation and purification of industrial and civil liquid plants and auxiliary applications in the railway sector.
2013
Mass production of brushless motors
In the early years, the market was limited to very few customers and to a single application, but the strategic value of such an initiative was clear: to build up and run a suitable technical and production organization and recruit the necessary resources in terms of electronic control, in view of the massive launch of production of brushless motors for various fields of application, which started in autumn 2013.
2016
Patented solutions for brushless motors
In 2016 IME obtains 7 international patents for the innovative solutions implemented in its growing range of brushless motors with internal and external rotor.
Further patent requests have been filed and are currently under review.
