Built on innovation and engineering from the very beginning
Breakthrough engineering for a better world. It’s been at the heart of our work since day one.
With roots in the U.K., North America, and Germany, we’ve honed our skills – and pushed boundaries – for over a hundred years.
Our beginnings: Birmingham, U.K., 1862
The IMI story starts in Birmingham, where Scottish entrepreneur George Kynoch opened a percussion cap factory.
George Kynoch’s operations evolved – first becoming a major ammunitions manufacturer, and then shifting its focus to metallurgy in the 20th century. But the goal always remained the same: build reliable, cutting-edge products that customers could rely on to deliver results.
By the 1970s, when the company acquired Norgren, IMI was a major name in engineering.
And, with the backing of our three product brands - IMI Norgren, IMI Bimba and IMI Bahr - we’re still growing – and still pushing the boundaries of pneumatic and electric motion control.
1972: IMI brings Norgren’s unmatched pneumatic motion control technology on board
Norgren started at the kitchen table of North American entrepreneur and industrialist Carl Norgren. But the company went on to change the face of pneumatic motion control technology.
Innovation has been part of Norgren from the beginning. Not long after the company was founded in 1925, Norgren had already begun designing what would become the world’s first inline lubricator.
And, by 1927, Norgren was already becoming a major global manufacturing company, known for its pneumatic motion control technology.
In 1972, Norgren was acquired by IMI plc. Today, IMI Norgren is still renowned as an unrivalled range of high-quality, premium pneumatic and electric motion control products, including actuators, air preparation components, valve islands, control valves, pressure switches and fittings.
2019: Bimba brings pneumatic, hydraulic, electric, and vacuum motion solutions to IMI.
In 1957, Charlie Bimba invented the world’s first inexpensive, easy-to-replace pneumatic actuation solution: the Original Line® non-repairable air cylinder.
That invention quickly won him a place at the centre of the manufacturing industry. Bimba became known as a leading supplier of pneumatic, hydraulic, electric, and vacuum motion solutions in the North American industrial automation market.
In 2019, Bimba was acquired by IMI. Today, IMI Bimba is a global name – still trusted and respected for the quality of its solutions.
2022: Bahr takes modular electric linear motion systems worldwide
Founded in 1990 in Luhden, Germany by brothers Frank and Dirk Bahr, Bahr Modultechnik was renowned for its highly configurable modular electric linear motion systems.
IMI completed the acquisition of the company in June 2022.
Specialising in modular electric linear motion systems, including belt, spindle, rack-and-pinion, and linear motor drives, the expertise is particularly in sectors like pharmacy automation, warehouse automation and robotics.
Like all other IMI product brands, standards for IMI Bahr products are high: every solution is carefully crafted to deliver precise control, accurate positioning, and repeatability.
Together, we’re driving Industrial Automation forward
Three product brands. One world-class product portfolio – and one team of industrial automation experts.
Today, IMI Norgren, IMI Bimba, and IMI Bahr bring together the latest high-performing technology and the most extensive expertise in pneumatic and electric linear motion control.
And together, we’re helping our customers push the boundaries of industrial automation.