What's new at IFM Electronic? Dhe new Board of Directors has introduced itself after the departure of Dr. Thomas May. In 2023, the company has a new record sales with EUR 1,4 billion, generating an increase of 5,8%. And in Singapore A new company headquarters was inaugurated, doubling the previous area. This and other company announcements are contained in this article:

IFM Electronic company headquarters

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Who is IFM Electronic?

IFM Electronic is a group of companies headquartered in Essen. She was born in 1969 by Robert Buck and Gerd Marhofer founded. IFM is a developer, producer and distributor of components and systems for industrial automation technology and Industry 4.0. These include, among others: Sensors, Controllers, communication technology with IO-Link products such as IO-Link masters or IO-Link sensors, Safety Technology and motion control products, Ethernet switches as well as software/IIoT solutions. The company employs more than 9000 people in 70 countries worldwide. 

IFM company news

New composition of the IFM Board

IFM new board02.09.2024 | After the departure of Dr Thomas May On June 30, 2024, the Executive Board of the IFM Group met for the first time in its new composition.

“We would like to take this opportunity to once again thank Dr. May for his many years of service on the Board,” says Michael Marhofer, co-CEO of the ifm group of companies: “And of course we wish him all the best for his well-deserved retirement.” Martin Buck, also co-CEO, adds: “With the new composition of the Board of Management, which addresses future challenges, we see ourselves well positioned for the future.” Since July 1, 2024, the Board of Management has been composed as follows:

  • Michael Marhofer, co-CEO
  • Martin Buck, co-CEO
  • Benno Kathan, CTO
  • Christoph von Rosenberg, CFO
  • Dr Dirk Kristes, COO

IFM will increase sales to over EUR 2023 billion in 1,4

ifm Christoph von RosenbergApril 11.04.2024, 2023 | IFM Electronic was able to increase sales again in the 9000 financial year and has over XNUMX employees for the first time. The preliminary consolidated financial statements show sales of over 1,4 billion euros a new sales record with growth of 3%. The USA and Southwest Europe have seen particularly strong regional growth.

The result (EBIT) is at 5,8% (previous year 7,6%). “Customers can buy our products practically anywhere in the world and thus advance their automation,” says Christoph von Rosenberg, CFO of the IFM Group, when presenting the 2023 balance sheet figures: “We have either our own companies or sales representatives in over 150 countries present."

More than 1500 of the 9000 employees work in R&D at the five locations in the Lake Constance region and also increasingly in the foreign technical companies. This is reflected in the group's innovative strength: more than 1210 active patents and over 100 new patent applications provide impressive evidence of this. There are currently more than 140 trainees working across Germany in Essen, Siegen and Lake Constance.

Inauguration of new company headquarters for IFM in Singapore


22.06.2022/XNUMX/XNUMX | IFM Electronic feels the growth of the group of companies in practically all markets worldwide. IFM has inaugurated a new company building at the Singapore location, which is very important for the Asian region. The previous area was thus doubled.

The Subsidiary IFM Electronic Asia Pte. ltd in Singapore was founded in 2010 with just 10 employees and has now grown to almost 100 employees. In production they work in two shifts. The original company headquarters had become too small, which is why the decision was made in 2019 to move into a new building. The new building was inaugurated today in the presence of CEO Martin Buck and CFO Christoph von Rosenberg.

Thanks to the significantly increased space, both production and logistics can work more efficiently. The material flow in production has been optimized, the use of Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and digital production planning are planned for the future. Warehouse and shipping are already designed for future automated concepts. The quality control in incoming goods, which is integrated directly into the warehouse, contributes to greater efficiency. There is additional space for R&D and customer service. In addition, the social rooms were designed much more generously. Just over half of the 10.000 m2 Area is already occupied, the rest offers sufficient room for future growth.

IFM achieves record sales of EUR 1,16 billion in 2021

IFM Christoph v. Rosenberg04.04.2022 | After the slight drop in sales in 2020 due to the corona pandemic, the IFM group of companies was able to new record sales to generate. In the past financial year, the specialist for industrial automation increased its sales by 21% compared to the previous year and is now at 1,16 billion euros.

"The fact that we came through the crisis so strengthened shows that our growth strategy with a diversified market and industry structure is successful in the long term," comments Christopher von Rosenberg, Chief Financial Officer of the IFM Group. “A stable supply chain, despite disrupted supply chains around the world, also plays a key role in our success. In 96,4% of cases, we were also able to deliver on the customer's desired date in 2021." The EBIT of 10,6% was also significantly increased compared to the previous year at 7,6% and is at a record level.

The Personal development reflects the growth of the IFM group of companies with an increase of a good 10%. Of the total workforce of 8100 employees worldwide at the turn of the year, almost 5000 are employed in Germany. More than two thirds of all products are manufactured in the five IFM Electronic locations on Lake Constance, where a large part of the R&D area is also located. "Because with over 750 employees here in Essen, the company headquarters is bursting at the seams, we are currently planning a new building that is only a few hundred meters away from the current location," says Christoph von Rosenberg.


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For the current financial year the signs are also pointing to growth: "Our order books are well filled and the first quarter of 2022 was very successful. Nevertheless, we expect an economic slowdown due to the war in Ukraine and a further delay in the recovery of the supply chains. The immediate suspension of our sales activities in Russia at the beginning of the war can be well compensated for by growth in other countries. We are therefore currently very confident that we will grow significantly again in 2022,” says Mr. von Rosenberg.

In the anniversary year of 2019, IFM achieves its first billion in sales

15.04.2020/50/XNUMX | For the XNUMXth anniversary since the company was founded, the group of companies IFM Electronic for the first time Turnoverbrand of 1 billion euros reached. "Even if the growth was not quite as strong as in the previous year, we are satisfied with the result in the anniversary year," commented Christopher von Rosenberg, CFO of the IFM Group, released the business figures. 

The specialist for Automationand digitalization technology significantly increased its sales despite the global trade conflicts in 2019. At the end of the year, growth was overall 5,5% over the previous year. The markets in North America, South America and China made a particular contribution to growth.

“The significant downturn in the global Automobilebusiness and the associated mechanical engineering, we were able to use good growth in the food industry and the mobile work machines cushion,” says Herr von Rosenberg. The preliminary result (EBIT) was kept at a solid level of 5,6% (previous year 7,7%) despite the dynamic business development. "We are demonstrating that our business model is sustainably profitable."

Difficult outlook for 2020

Also the total number of active customers is with 174.000 rose to a new record. An outlook for the current year 2020 is difficult due to the corona crisis at the moment. “Despite the considerable turmoil in China and Europe, the first quarter was very stable with sales at the previous year's level. In the following months, however, we will have to expect a decline in sales due to the global economic slowdown, ”says von CFO.

Stable growth course in 2018 at IFM Electronic


11.07.2019/XNUMX/XNUMX | With a 8,7% increase in sales the IFM group of companies once again closed the year 2018 very successfully. “We started the year extremely well at the beginning of 2018. In the second half of the year, growth then stabilized at a slightly lower level. All in all, we are very satisfied with the past financial year,” comments Christoph von Rosenberg, CFO of the IFM Group, on the business figures that are now available.


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The specialist for automation and digitization has thus been able to achieve significant growth for the ninth year in a row. Business developments in the markets of north-west and south-west Europe and North America are particularly pleasing. The growth is spread across all product areas to a similar extent, which contributes to long-term stability. The total number of active customers has increased over the past year and stands at over 164.000 buying customers now at a new record high.

Positive development allows the workforce to grow

The positive development of the business figures is also reflected in the workforce, which in 2018 was just under 7000 employees has grown worldwide. For the current year, the company expects continued stable sales growth in the high single-digit percentage range. If the plans are met, the total turnover of the group of companies will exceed the 2019 billion euro mark for the first time towards the end of the 1 financial year.

Economics Minister Andreas Pinkwart visited IFM Electronic


31.08.2017/XNUMX/XNUMX | The North Rhine-Westphalian Minister of Economics, Prof. Dr. Andrew Pinkwart, yesterday visited IFM Electronic with headquarters in Essen. Michael Marhofer, Chairman of the Board of Directors of IFM, and Christoph von Rosenberg, Chief Financial Officer of the group of companies, welcomed the Minister for Economics, Innovation, Digitization and Energy to the logistics center in Essen.

Pinkwart, who was visiting accompanied by a delegation of members of parliament, showed up during the tour of the new logistics center impressed by the innovative power of the company.

Michael Marhofer on Industry 4.0

The medium-sized IFM group of companies, which is considered the "hidden champion" of the automation industry, currently employs over 6000 employees and generated a total output of over EUR 2016 million in 775. In an interview with the minister, Marhofer emphasized that the company, which has its roots in sensor manufacturing, will strategically grow primarily in the area of ​​Industry 4.0 solutions.

The product range is expanded accordingly: from the sensor and the sensor data, to networking for pre-evaluation, to the connection to ERP systems and cloud solutions. During his visit, Marhofer gave the minister one of the most important demands on politicians: "We urgently need a rapid expansion of the digital infrastructure in Germany so that we do not lose out on other industrialized nations in our development." This is the only way for technology leaders in future to the Hidden champions in the digitized world.

From a two-man operation to the largest medium-sized company in Germany

ifm031722.08.2017/1969/48 | Founded in XNUMX by Robert Buck and Gerd Marhofer, IFM Electronic GmbH has developed into a largest medium-sized company in Germany. This results in the ranking "Mittelstand 10.000" by "Die Deutsche Wirtschaft".

The German economy has one for the ranking own scoring index created: This consists not only of the turnover and the number of employees, but also of the duration of the company's existence, the social media presence, the media capability of the website, the cooperation with research and university institutions and the various training opportunities.

Today, the second-generation family-run group of companies has more than 6000 employees in over 70 countries among the global industry leaders. IFM is always on the move. Innovations are continuously advanced, products are developed and improved and complete system solutions are offered. Job prospects and career opportunities should set standards and ensure a secure future.

IFM is also constantly growing. Above 100 vacancies are currently advertised throughout Germany.

IFM wins iF and Red Dot Design Award with products

ifm021503.04.2015/XNUMX/XNUMX | Of the Pressure sensor PN by IFM Electronic has been awarded two renowned design prizes: the iF Design Award and the world-renowned Red Dot Design Award. Both awards are the most important awards that a well-designed product can receive on the international design scene. In both cases, LEDs, a 2-color display and the menu operation convinced the jury.

The award ceremony took place on February 27, 2015 iF Awards at the BMW World in Munich. With a total of 4928 submissions from 56 countries, the PN pressure sensor was officially awarded the Red Dot Design Award on March 30th. The Red Dot Design Award certificate will be presented on June 29, 2015 at the Zeche Zollverein.

The excellent PN pressure sensor is the new sensor generation of a very popular product. The identification marks black sensor head and orange ring were received. In addition to technical innovations, external changes have been made which, in addition to the well-known advantages, bring additional benefits to users. These include the LEDs on the side for visualizing the switching point, which can now also be seen from afar and from behind. The LEDs for the units are positioned outside of the display, making the display larger.


Pressure sensor innovations for digitization in measurement technology


The 2 color display makes reading the measurement data monitoring even easier for the customer, because as soon as a measurement value in the system is incorrect, the display switches from “green” to “red” – if this was wanted and programmed. Menu operation has also been simplified: three buttons with integrated symbols, which can be operated with either a tool or a finger, make setting the sensor easier. Its 345° rotation saves the user a lot of time when aligning. During the redesign, suitable accessories were also considered where individual labeling fields could be integrated.

Who is IFM Electronic?

IFM Electronic is a group of companies headquartered in Essen. She was born in 1969 by Robert Buck and Gerd Marhofer founded. IFM is a developer, producer and distributor of components and systems for industrial automation technology and Industry 4.0. These include, among others: Sensors, Controllers, communication technology with IO-Link products such as IO-Link masters or IO-Link sensors, Safety Technology and motion control products, Ethernet switches as well as software/IIoT solutions. The company employs more than 9000 people in 70 countries worldwide. 

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Angela Struck

Angela Struck is editor-in-chief of the development scout and freelance journalist as well as managing director of Presse Service Büro GbR in Ried.