IMKO Micromodultechnik expands its range of quality parameters
The Endress+Hauser Group further enhances its quality measurement range with the acquisition of IMKO Micromodultechnik GmbH, a manufacturer of innovative moisture measurement systems. IMKO's headquarters remain in Ettlingen, Germany, and the company's 19 employees have been retained.
"The moisture measurement field developed by IMKO further enhances our existing process instrumentation offering with an additional key quality parameter," says Dr Andreas Mayr, Managing Director of Endress+Hauser GmbH+Co KG, whose range will be complemented by that of the new company. "What's more, the technology employed by IMKO is very similar to the technologies we use for level measurement", explains Andreas Mayr.
Innovative technology
IMKO systems measure moisture using the principle of Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR), a technology based on the propagation time of reflected radar waves. They provide information about a material's dielectric constant, which in turn relates directly to the material's moisture content. "This innovative technology offers major advantages over other technologies," Andreas Mayr points out. "The measurement is not influenced by the conductivity of the material. IMKO systems are accurate, reliable and cost-effective".
Today, IMKO systems are used to measure moisture in buildings and soil, for environmental monitoring and also in process engineering applications for the food, chemical and Life Sciences industries. "With this acquisition, we are continuing our strategy of supporting future customers from the laboratory to the process", explains Andreas Mayr, who is also responsible for Technology and Marketing on the Board of Directors of the Endress+Hauser Group.
Long-term outlook
IMKO was founded in 1984 by Kurt Köhler. The 67-year-old innovator was looking to place his company in hands capable of guaranteeing its continued success. "Endress+Hauser is able to handle new customer segments for our products and open up international markets," says the company founder. "What's more, as a family business, Endress+Hauser represents the same values that mark the corporate culture at IMKO".
Endress+Hauser will acquire IMKO on October 1, 2017. The companies have agreed to keep the details of the transaction confidential. The search for a new CEO at IMKO is underway. Kurt Köhler will stay on for one year to oversee the transition phase.
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