Italian technology plast / October 2025 |
Increased automation, turnkey solutions and post-sales service are the trends reflected in recent customer demands, according to IMG. Based in Capriano del Colle( BS), IMG is a leader in the supply of presses for elastomer and silicone moulding. As Export Manager Andrea Merlini explains, this trend involves both domestic and international customers who are interested in moving beyond the moulding phase by integrating automation and anthropomorphic robots to reduce unloading times and the duration of the overall production cycle. Fully aware of this demand, IMG is reorganizing to meet these new customer expectations, as Merlini highlights: companies now increasingly seek a“ turnkey” solution, looking to IMG not just as a press supplier, but as a comprehensive moulding partner.
ROBOTIC CELLS AND NEW MARKET OPPORTUNITIES One of IMG’ s solutions that is gaining
Robotic production unit for elastomers
|
significant market approval is the integration of robotic cells and automation with its presses. This approach optimises production, significantly reducing time and costs while delegating repetitive and strenuous tasks to robots. This allows human operators to focus on more rewarding activities. IMG primarily relies on partnerships with Italian suppliers based in the renowned Rubber Valley district in the Sebino area, which is known for its extensive expertise in handling rubber during the pre- and post-moulding stages. By expanding its production chain, IMG has been able to broaden its horizons and diversify into new target industries beyond its traditional automotive market, including aerospace, household appliances, medical and pharmaceutical sectors. For the latter two sectors, IMG now manufactures presses designed to meet stringent non-contamination standards and specific requirements for“ clean room” environments. |
AFTER-SALES SERVICE: IMG PRIME AND WILSON Another highly demanded service is after-sales support. IMG has developed‘ IMG Prime’, a PLC system integrated into its presses that enables operational data to be collected for performance analysis. This is aimed at enhancing efficiency and process reliability. IMG Prime also provides realtime monitoring of the press’ s health status and can generate predictive reports to identify potential malfunctions before they occur. This provides a vital safety net, enabling interventions before serious failures that could lead to costly production downtime. Additionally, recorded data enables retrospective analysis to identify the source of any issues by reviewing previous production cycles. Alongside IMG Prime, there is also Wilson: a chatbot that functions as a virtual assistant and provides immediate support through AI technol- |
INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION: IMG MO- VES INTO INDIA IMG is continuing its efforts to expand internationally with a newly signed partnership with Prevision World, a New Delhi-based agency and a key player in the Indian market and the broader South Asian region, where IMG aims to strengthen its presence. To this end, IMG participated in the prestigious Joint Committee for Economic Cooperation and the Italy-India Business Forum, which took place in early June at the Unesco World Heritage Site of Santa Giulia in Brescia. Sponsored by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the event was attended by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and India’ s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal. The Indian rubber market is vast and highly attractive. Overall, trade between Italy and India reached a total value of € 14.34 billion in 2023, with Italian exports increasing by 7.6 % compared to the previous year. IMG is also exploring the US market, although protectionist trade policies such as tariffs present challenges. The company is seeing positive results in Eastern Europe, having recently participated in the Plastpol trade fair in Poland— a country yielding promising business prospects. IMG’ s next international event will be the K fair in Düsseldorf in October, where the company will have a 70-square-metre exhibition space. Germany remains IMG’ s second-largest market after Italy in terms of potential customers. At the event, IMG will showcase a 400-tonne vertical injection moulding press, with daily demonstrations producing solid silicone gadgets. An anthropomorphic robot manufactured by an IMG partner company based in Turin will then carefully remove these items from the mould and place them on a conveyor belt. |
054 |
www. plastmagazine. it |