What IMA Group does

IMA Group (I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A.) is a global leader founded in 1961 and headquartered in Ozzano dell'Emilia, Italy, that designs and manufactures automatic machines and fully integrated processing and packaging lines. The company operates across 40+ industry and market segments, with primary verticals in pharmaceuticals, food, coffee, tea and herbs, personal care, tissue and nonwoven, tailored technologies (tobacco and next-generation products), and e-commerce fulfillment. Its equipment portfolio spans primary processing (tableting, coating, aseptic processing, dosing), primary packaging (form-fill-seal, blister, suppository, bottle and jar filling), secondary packaging (cartoning, case packing, overwrapping), and end-of-line (palletizing), supported by patented components such as the NEST Gripper System and specialized systems like SYNKRO for compostable coffee capsules and the Coffee Control Room automation platform.

The company sells complex B2B capital equipment through direct enterprise field sales teams, technical sales engineers, and a global trade-exhibition presence, with installed-base customers supported by a worldwide after-sales and service network spanning manufacturing and engineering hubs in Italy and the United States, plus a Cork, Ireland operation via the ProSys acquisition. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time capital equipment sales of machines and integrated lines, complemented by recurring streams from genuine spare parts, upgrades, revamping, technical support, training, and consulting services. The company operates as a sole-shareholder entity under ALPS Holding S.p.A. with the Vacchi family retaining control, and has received minority investments from Torreal and BDT & MSD Partners (2024) and Centre Partners to support an active acquisition and consolidation strategy in the fragmented packaging machinery industry.

Name

IMA Group

Legal name

I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A.

Website

https://ima.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

1961

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

IMA Group, founded in 1961 and headquartered in Italy, designs and manufactures automatic machines and fully integrated processing and packaging lines for pharmaceutical, food, coffee, personal care, tissue, tobacco, and e-commerce customers across 40+ industries globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Processing and Packaging Machinery

NAICS

Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing (333310), Food Product Machinery Manufacturing (333241)

SIC

General Industrial Machinery & Equipment (3560), Misc Industrial & Commercial Machinery & Equipment (3590)

akta.pro primary industry

End-of-Line Integration & Packaging Line Systems (IMAHAOAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Primary Packaging (Form-Fill-Seal, Blister, Sachet/Stick Pack, Bottling) (TLAIAGAA), Conveying, Feeding & Material Handling for Packaging Lines (IMALAOAG), Conveying, Feeding & Accumulation Systems (Packaging Lines) (IMAHAOAK), Fill-Finish & Aseptic Drug Product Manufacturing (Biologics/ATMP) (HLAGAGAG)

Keywords

• Pharmaceutical packaging machinery
• Automatic processing machines
• Industrial packaging equipment
• Aseptic filling systems
• End-of-line palletizing

Headquarters

HQ city

Castenaso

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Automatic Machine Sales: IMA Group designs, develops, and manufactures automatic machines for processing and packaging across pharmaceutical, food, coffee, personal care, tissue, and other industries. Machines are sold as one-time capital equipment purchases to enterprise customers.
2. Integrated Processing and Packaging Lines: IMA Group delivers complete end-to-end integrated processing and packaging lines combining multiple technologies across industries, providing comprehensive solutions as a prime contractor.
3. Spare Parts: IMA Group provides genuine spare parts designed to maintain the highest performance and safety standards of equipment, with fast availability and guaranteed compatibility, generating recurring revenue from the installed base.
4. Technical Support and Field Services: Technical support services including remote guidance, advanced virtual solutions, and proactive support to minimize downtime, as well as installation and operational readiness services.
5. Training Services: Structured training programs for operators on IMA equipment, available both on-site and via e-learning through a dedicated online portal, covering role-specific content aligned with actual machines.
6. Size Parts, Upgrades & Revamping: Tailored solutions including size parts for new formats, performance upgrades, and complete machine revamping to extend equipment lifecycle and maintain alignment with evolving production needs.
7. Consulting & Analytical Services: Expert consulting services helping customers enhance efficiency, ensure product quality, and protect digital infrastructure with data-driven approaches and deep technical know-how.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

IMA Group designs, develops, and manufactures automatic machines and integrated processing and packaging lines for the pharmaceutical, food, coffee, tea, personal care, tissue, tobacco, and e-commerce industries. Its portfolio spans primary processing (tableting, coating, aseptic processing), primary packaging (form-fill-seal, blister, capsule filling, suppository forming), secondary packaging (cartoning, case packing), and end-of-line solutions (palletizing). The company complements its capital equipment with a full lifecycle services portfolio covering spare parts, technical support, training, consulting, upgrades, and revamping.

Product overview

IMA Group is a global leader in processing and packaging machinery, offering a comprehensive portfolio of automatic machines and integrated lines for multiple industries including Pharmaceutical, Food, Coffee, Tea & Herbs, Personal Care, Tissue & Nonwoven, Tailored Technologies, and E-Commerce. The product portfolio spans core packaging machines (R-201 ND, VEGATRONIC series, E-CO FLEX, DOYTRONIC, AD Series cartoning, GIANT1 blister packaging, SAAS suppository lines) along with processing equipment (DOMINA tableting, ACCELA CTC coating, TILE-X aseptic processing, EFS-X cup filling). The offering is complemented by the SYNKRO compostable capsule system, Coffee Control Room automation, and the NEST gripper system for palletizing. IMA provides complete integrated lines and comprehensive services including consulting, training, technical support, and spare parts, with innovation hubs like IMA Coffee Lab and OPENLab driving sustainable technology development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• IMA Coffee Hub: Coffee processing and packaging solutions including SYNKRO machine for compostable capsules and Coffee Control Room automation system
• IMA TMC (Tissue Machinery Company)
• IMA Life
• IMA Pharma
• IMA Food
• FLX Hub
• IMA OpenLab

Products and services

• R-201 ND Horizontal Form Fill and Seal Machine Horizontal Form, Fill and Seal machine designed for packaging operations across food and consumer goods applications.
• VEGATRONIC 6400 DZ Vertical Form Fill and Seal Machine Vertical Form Fill and Seal machine for high-volume packaging operations.
• VEGATRONIC 6400 ML Vertical Form Fill and Seal Machine Vertical Form Fill and Seal machine for multilayer packaging applications.
• E-CO FLEX LIDDING Case Lidding Machine Case Lidding machine for automated packaging line ending operations, part of the E-CO Flex series unveiled at LogiMAT 2025.
• C24-IQ Tea Bag Packaging Machine Tea bag packaging machine for high-speed tea bag production, including pyramid tea bags and ultrasonic sealing formats.
• DOYTRONIC 120 Stand-Up Pouch Form Fill and Seal Machine Stand-Up Pouch Form Fill and Seal machine for flexible packaging applications.
• XWM Series Primary Wrapping Machine Primary wrapping machine for automated product wrapping.
• MULTIPACK Dosing and Wrapping Machine Dosing and wrapping machine for multi-pack packaging solutions.
• FD Series Dosing and Filling Machine Dosing and filling machine series for various packaging applications.
• AD Series Cartoning Machine Cartoning machine series for pharmaceutical and consumer goods packaging, where IMA held an 8.5% North America market share in 2025.
• EFS-X Series Cup and Tub Filling and Sealing Machine Cup and Tub Filling and Sealing machine for dairy, food, and pharmaceutical applications.
• DOMINA Tableting Machine Tableting machine for pharmaceutical tablet compression.
• ACCELA CTC Coating Machine Coating machine for pharmaceutical tablet and candy coating applications.
• TILE-X Aseptic Processing Machine Aseptic processing machine for sterile pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• GIANT1 Series Blister Packaging Machine Blister packaging machine for pharmaceutical blister pack production.
• SAAS Series Suppository and Ovule Form, Fill and Seal Machine Suppository and Ovule Form, Fill and Seal machine for pharmaceutical suppository packaging.
• G-BLOK Bottle and Jar Filling and Closing Machine Bottle and Jar Filling and Closing machine for liquid and semi-liquid products across personal care, food, and pharmaceutical applications.
• PRIMEWRAP Overwrapping Machine Overwrapping machine for secondary packaging of boxes and cartons.
• SYNKRO Coffee Capsule Filling and Sealing Machine Coffee capsule filling and sealing machine designed specifically for compostable capsules, using independent magnetic shuttles to enable flexible sealing times for compostable materials without reducing cycle speed.
• Integrated Processing and Packaging Lines Complete end-to-end processing and packaging lines combining multiple technologies across industries, delivered as prime-contractor solutions; IMA describes itself as the only global player delivering fully integrated lines across multiple technologies and industries.
• IMA Services Portfolio Comprehensive lifecycle services covering consulting and analytical services, documentation, size parts/upgrades/revamping, operator training, technical support, and spare parts for the installed base.
• IMA Coffee Lab Innovation and testing laboratory for coffee processing and packaging technologies, supporting development of new capsule formats and roasting solutions.
• OPENLab Innovation Network Open innovation laboratory network enabling collaborative development of new technologies and sustainable solutions, including compostable packaging technologies.
• EXIGE High-Speed Wet Wipes Converting Machine High-speed wet wipes converting machine for personal care and nonwoven industry applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 70 palletizing lines installed across 13 countries by IMA TMC
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• ProSys Sampling Systems LimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 March 2026IMA Group acquired a majority stake in ProSys Sampling Systems Limited (headquartered in Cork, Ireland, established 1997), a leading provider of isolator and sampling equipment for the global biopharmaceutical market. Michael McLoughlin, co-founder, remains as Managing Director. ProSys continues operating as an independent business within the IMA Group, expanding IMA's global aseptic sampling solutions.
• Sarong Packaging Machinery and Packaging Materials divisionscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2024IMA Group acquired Sarong's Packaging Machinery and Packaging Materials divisions (based in Reggiolo, Italy) on August 1, 2024. Sarong is a leader in thermo-form, fill & seal machines for pharmaceutical suppositories and in converting suppository films and foils. The acquisition expands IMA's pharmaceutical packaging offerings with high-quality suppository films and high-volume production lines.
• OMAS Tecnosistemi S.p.A.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 March 2024IMA Group acquired a majority stake in OMAS Tecnosistemi S.p.A., a supplier of high-tech solutions in cosmetics, make-up, and personal care sectors (and also serving pharmaceutical and chemical industries, active since 1973). The deal was signed for shares from Savino Giudici, in anticipation of a collaboration to offer comprehensive filling and packaging solutions for various industries. Since 2024, OMAS is a member of IMA Group, and in 2025 expanded its portfolio with Comadis expertise in tube filling equipment.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Syntegon Technology: Formerly Bosch Packaging Technology, Syntegon is the most direct global competitor to IMA in pharmaceutical and food packaging machinery with comparable integrated-line offerings. Both serve the same top-5 oligopoly in pharma packaging equipment (sharing >52% market) with overlapping customer base across capsule filling, aseptic processing, and end-of-line.
• Marchesini Group: Italian-headquartered pharmaceutical packaging machinery maker with similar portfolio spanning primary/secondary packaging, end-of-line, and integrated lines for sterile and non-sterile drugs. Direct competitor to IMA in the same EU and global pharma customer base and a fellow top-5 player.
• Uhlmann Pac-Systeme: German pharmaceutical packaging specialist with blister lines, cartoners, and end-of-line solutions targeting identical pharma OEMs. One of the top-5 players cited alongside IMA in the global pharma packaging equipment market.
• Romaco Group: Pharmaceutical processing and packaging machinery maker covering tableting, filling, and end-of-line, serving the same regulated pharma customer base as IMA. Listed alongside IMA in the top-5 pharma packaging equipment players.
• ProMach: North American packaging machinery roll-up serving food, beverage, pharma, and consumer goods with bottling, cartoning, and end-of-line solutions. Identified as the third-largest player in North America cartoning machinery alongside IMA at 8.5% share, indicating direct overlap in primary NA accounts.
• Coesia Group: Italian-headquartered packaging machinery conglomerate with brands including ACMA, GDM, Atlantic Zeiser, and Flexpak, serving personal care, food, and consumer goods. Coesia is the top-5 NA cartoning competitor to IMA and shares similar European integrated-line positioning.
• Bausch + Ströbel: German specialist in sterile and aseptic pharmaceutical filling and packaging machinery (vials, syringes, cartridges). Direct competitor to IMA Life and IMA's TILE-X aseptic processing line in the sterile pharma segment.
• Harro Höfliger: German pharmaceutical and medical device packaging machinery maker specializing in primary packaging, assembly, and aseptic processing. Closely comparable to IMA's pharmaceutical machinery portfolio with overlapping customer base in sterile injectable and inhalation products.
• MULTIVAC: German packaging machinery specialist in thermoforming, tray sealing, and labeling for food, pharma, and consumer goods. Directly comparable to IMA's food/personal care packaging lines and competes in similar mid-market integrated packaging projects.

Broad incumbents

• GEA Group: Diversified German industrial machinery giant covering food processing, pharmaceutical separation, and packaging equipment at much larger scale. Overlaps IMA's food and pharma machinery franchises but with a broader portfolio outside packaging, making it a broader incumbent rather than direct match.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors4 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A8 records

Investments2 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about IMA Group