Imh

What Imh does

Imh (International Material Handling) is a France-based distributor of specialized electric material handling equipment, founded in 2011 and operating as a portfolio agent for the French market. The company holds exclusive French distribution rights for six international manufacturers: Bendi (articulated mast forklifts for narrow aisles), Samag (electric pallet trucks, stackers, order pickers, and stainless-steel Inox ranges for hygiene-critical environments), Carer (electric front forklifts across multiple series up to 20-ton capacity), Simai (electric tractors and platform carriers), Drexel (compact pivot-mast SwingMast forklifts), and Excen (ATEX explosion-proof transformation services). Product offerings span narrow-aisle articulated forklifts, high-capacity electric front forklifts, electric tractors with up to 25-ton towing capacity, stainless-steel equipment for food and pharmaceutical industries, and explosion-atmosphere-certified equipment for pharmaceutical, petrochemical, and LNG industries. Core technologies include AC electric motors, electric steering, asynchronous traction systems, and specialized pivot-mast and articulated-mast architectures that enable operation in aisles narrower than 2 meters.

Imh operates a pure channel/distribution business model, generating revenue through one-time equipment sales and after-sales professional services (financing facilitation, maintenance support) delivered via traditional material handling distribution networks. The company does not disclose pricing publicly and operates on a contact-based quotation model. Its go-to-market relies on a multi-channel marketing approach spanning a website (imh-europe.eu), LinkedIn, YouTube product demonstrations, email newsletters, and trade show participation at all4pack (Paris Nord Villepinte) and Europack-Euromanut-CFIA (Lyon). Customer segments span industrial and logistics companies (primary), ATEX/hazardous-environment industries, airports, heavy industry and automotive, and food and pharmaceutical verticals — a deliberately diversified vertical mix that targets non-standard handling requirements falling outside conventional product categories. The company is privately held, founder-led by President Gary Griffin, with a headcount of 1-10 employees and headquarters at Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.

Name

Imh

Legal name

IMH (International Material Handling)

Website

https://imh-europe.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Imh (International Material Handling) is a French exclusive distributor of specialized electric material handling equipment, representing six international brands (Bendi, Samag, Carer, Simai, Drexel, Excen) for the French market across industrial, logistics, airport, and hazardous-environment sectors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Material Handling Equipment Distribution

NAICS

Material Handling Equipment Manufacturing (33392), Industrial Truck, Tractor, Trailer, and Stacker Machinery Manufacturing (333924)

SIC

Industrial Trucks, Tractors, Trailors & Stackers (3537), Wholesale-Industrial Machinery & Equipment (5084)

akta.pro primary industry

Forklifts & Industrial Trucks (IC & Electric) (IMAHABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Lifting Attachments & Material Handling Accessories (Fork Attachments, Slings, Rigging) (IMAHABAJ), Material Handling & Industrial Lift Vehicle Manufacturing (Forklifts/Telehandlers/Reach Stackers) (IMACAFAD)

Keywords

• Material handling equipment
• Electric forklifts
• Articulated forklifts
• Warehouse equipment distribution
• ATEX explosion-proof machines

Headquarters

HQ city

Vitry-sur-seine

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Material Handling Equipment Distribution: Distribution of electric forklifts, articulated forklifts, tractors, trailers, and specialized handling equipment in the French market through exclusive agent agreements with manufacturers.
2. After-Sales Services: Local after-sales services and financing provided through traditional material handling distribution networks.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Imh is the official French distributor and agent for a portfolio of specialized electric material handling equipment brands, offering articulated mast forklifts (Bendi), warehouse equipment including electric pallet trucks, stackers, and order pickers (Samag), high-capacity electric front forklifts up to 20 tonnes (Carer), electric tractors and platform carriers (Simai), pivot mast forklifts (Drexel), and ATEX explosion-proof transformation services (Excen). The company delivers solutions through traditional material handling distribution networks that provide local financing and after-sales service capabilities.

Product overview

Imh (International Material Handling) is an official French distributor for multiple material handling equipment brands: Bendi (articulated mast forklifts in Standard, Premium, and Thermal ranges), Samag (electric pallet trucks, stackers, order pickers, tractors, custom equipment, and stainless steel Inox range), Carer (electric front forklifts across Series A, B, R, Z, N, K with capacities up to 20 tons), Simai (electric tractors and platform carriers), Drexel (pivot mast SwingMast forklifts), and Excen (ATEX transformation services for explosive environments). The company operates as a portfolio distribution model, offering complementary handling solutions through traditional distribution networks with local financing and after-sales service.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bendi Articulated Mast Forklifts Pioneer articulated mast forklifts for narrow aisles, offering the widest range on the market across Standard, Premium, and Thermal ranges for industrial and logistics buyers operating in confined, high-density warehouse environments.
• Samag Warehouse Equipment Extensive range of electric pallet trucks, stackers, order pickers, electric tractors, custom handling equipment, and stainless steel (INOX) range for industrial warehousing, food, and pharmaceutical buyers.
• Carer Electric Front Forklifts Carer brand of electric front forklifts covering Series A, B, R, Z, N, and K, with capacities up to 20 tonnes, sold to industrial and logistics buyers in France through an exclusive distribution agreement.
• Simai Electric Tractors and Platform Carriers Italian-designed and manufactured electric tractors and platform carriers for horizontal handling operations, distributed in France through an exclusive agent agreement signed in July 2019.
• Drexel SwingMast Forklifts Compact pivot mast forklifts that rotate 90 degrees with 508 mm lateral shift, capable of handling palletized loads and long loads up to 6 meters in narrow aisles for indoor/outdoor industrial use.
• Excen ATEX Transformation Service ATEX-certified transformation service that converts electric and diesel material handling machines for use in potentially explosive atmospheres, offered to pharmaceutical, petrochemical, and LNG industry buyers through an exclusive partnership with Excen.
• Used Equipment Stock Stock of pre-owned and used material handling equipment sold by Imh as a cost-effective option for industrial buyers in France.

Quantifiable outcome

• Bendi equipment works in aisles narrower than 2 meters
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• SimaicoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 5 July 2019Official agent for France since July 2019 of Simai, an Italian company specializing in design and manufacture of electric tractors and electric platform trailers for horizontal handling.
• CarercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 11 November 2018Exclusive distribution agreement signed November 2018 for high-capacity electric front forklifts (up to 20 tonnes). Carer is a global manufacturer specializing in electric forklifts.
• ExcencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive partnership with Excen for ATEX (Explosive Atmospheres) transformation of material handling equipment. Excen specializes in converting electric and diesel machines for use in potentially explosive environments such as pharmaceutical, petrochemical, and LNG industries. Over 20 years of experience with 50 years of combined commercial and manufacturing knowledge.
• BendicoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial agent for France of Bendi, a pioneer in articulated forklifts for narrow aisles, offering the widest range of articulated forklift products on the market.
• SamagcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial agent for France of Samag, offering a vast selection of electric pallet trucks, stackers, order pickers, tractors, retractable units, and stainless steel (INOX) range.
• DrexelcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial agent for France of Drexel, manufacturer of compact 90-degree pivoting mast forklifts combined with 508mm lateral displacement, capable of handling palletized loads and long loads up to 6 meters in very narrow spaces.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Fenwick-Linde (KION Group): Leading French material handling distributor (Linde and KION brands), operating a national sales and service network. Directly competes with Imh for French electric forklift and warehouse equipment customers, but at much greater scale and with a broader portfolio.

Peers

• Toyota Material Handling France:

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/ImhGriffin
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC6dEHlMDtERFiBt-6xxJ2Jw/featured
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/imh-international-material-handling

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Imh