ifm electronic gmbh

World market leader in sensor technology and pioneer in Industry 4.0

Measuring, controlling and evaluating – when it comes to pioneering automation and digitisation technology, the ifm group is the ideal partner. Since its foundation in 1969 ifm has developed, produced and sold sensors, controllers, software and systems for industrial automation worldwide. As one of the pioneers of Industry 4.0, ifm develops and implements consistent solutions to digitise the entire value chain "from sensor to ERP". Today, the family-run ifm group is in its second generation. It has more than 7,300 employees in 95 countries and is one of the worldwide market leaders. The group combines the internationality and innovative strength of a growing group of companies with the flexibility and close customer contact of a medium-sized company.

ifm – close to you!

ifm's key to success has always been the people. Through independent sales companies or trade partners our excellent sales and service team of more than 1,700 employees offers the best advice to our customers in 185 countries. The experts on site know the regional conditions and ensure individual and trusting support. More than 1,100 employees in research and development closely collaborate with customers, research institutions and universities to find solutions for the challenges of tomorrow. More than 960 patents and about 80 new patent applications in 2019 are the result of this commitment.

Quality "Made in Germany"

ifm stands for high-quality products "Made in Germany". ifm is closely connected to Germany as a location for industry with its corporate headquarters in Essen and a development and production site in the Lake Constance region where about 50 per cent of the portfolio are developed and manufactured. Other production sites in large sales markets such as Asia or the USA allow fast reaction to regional market requirements. To ensure ifm's high quality standards, the employees in the international plants are also trained in Germany.

The youngest ifm location "THE SUMMIT" combines approx. 300 ifm specialists from all areas of Industry 4.0 in one high-tech centre to work on visionary ideas and successful solutions in the fields of IIoT and camera technology.

Innovative product diversity

ifm's exceptionally large product portfolio does not only cover all relevant standard solutions but also the special requirements of individual industries. In addition to position and process sensors, sensors for motion control and safety technology are part of the product range. Furthermore, ifm offers products for industrial image processing and communication as well as identification systems and systems for mobile machines. ifm develops innovative Industry 4.0 solutions and the corresponding software and cloud products to improve digital utilisation of existing business processes and to provide new, complete control options for sustainable efficiency and cost optimisations.

On this basis, the ifm group achieved a group turnover revenue of 1 billion euros in 2019.