ifm EFECTOR
Local service,
global support
Founded in Germany in 1969 as a small sensor business, today ifm is active in over 70 countries worldwide. Yet we think, act, and care as a family business does, because we still are a family business – our co-chairs and co-managing directors are the children of our founding fathers. The values and vision we were founded on also remain the same: to make quality products, and to provide reliable customer service.
ifm AT A GLANCE
ifm EFECTOR
Invested in
success
AN ifm TIMELINE
Our History
1969
Robert Buck and Gerd Marhofer establish ifm electronic.
1969
Introduction of inductive proximity sensors with the trade name ‘efector’ by ifm founders Robert Buck and Gerd Marhofer.
1974
Foundation of independent sales companies.
1976
ifm grants 5-year warranty.
1990
ifm publishes “Visions, Philosophy, Principles” as a hardcover book for all employees.
2001
Generational change: The sons of the founders Martin Buck and Michael Marhofer, take over the management of ifm.
2010
Axia Award 2010: in the category “Future-oriented customer cooperation” – from the customer idea to innovation.
2018
The Lighthouse smart home camera is brought to the market. It works with 3D depth measurement and can differentiate between adults, children and pets.
2018
Foundation stone laid for the technology centre “The SUMMIT”, the new home of four ifm subsidiaries.
2019
Marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of ifm, and group turnover reaches 1 billion euros for the first time.
2020
ifm if awarded the Axia Best Managed Companies Award.
2022
ifm builds a “green factory” in Sibiu according to DGNB gold certification standards. Sizeez or ifm goes fashion: using image processing. Virtual Reail GmbH, a subsidiary of ifm, enables more sustainable online shopping.