September 22, 2017 - The Endress+Hauser Group announced the acquisition of IMKO Micromodultechnik GmbH, a manufacturer of moisture measurement systems. IMKO’s headquarters will remain in Ettlingen, Germany; the company’s 19 employees have been retained.
The IMKO systems measure moisture with time domain reflectometry (TDR), a technology based on the time of flight of reflected radar waves. This provides information regarding the dielectric constant of a material which in turn relates directly to the material’s moisture.
Today, IMKO’s systems are used to measure moisture in buildings and soil, for environmental monitoring and also in process engineering applications for the food & beverage, chemical and life sciences industries.
IMKO was founded in 1984 by Kurt Köhler. The 67-year-old innovator was looking to place his company in capable hands to ensure its continued success. “Endress+Hauser is in a position to address new customer segments for our products and open up international markets,” said the company founder. “As a family-owned company, Endress+Hauser furthermore represents the same values that mark the corporate culture at IMKO.”
Endress+Hauser will acquire IMKO effective 1 October 2017. The companies have agreed to keep the details of the transaction confidential. A search for a new managing director at IMKO is currently underway. Kurt Köhler will stay on for one year to help oversee the transition.
