Anything but superficial" is the motto of IMO Oberflächentechnik GmbH in Königsbach-Stein, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary in October. Since 1973, the family-run company has been offering its customers special expertise and customized solutions in the field of electroplating.
Company founder Ingo Müller and his wife Christel laid the foundations for this success story in October 1973 when he set up his own business, IMO Ingo Müller Oberflächentechnik. As with many companions of his time, it all began in a double garage. A short time later, the trained electroplating technician and master craftsman acquired the old oil mill in Königsbach. He initially specialized in technical bulk material electroplating. In 1975, he developed and built his first immersion plating system, with which taped pins could be plated on the belt. This was the beginning of a new era in contact plating. To this day, Ingo Müller is regarded as a pioneer of strip electroplating in southern Germany. In 1980, his son Bernd Müller joined his parents' company and took over the management in 2005. Since 2021, he has been supported by Thomas P. Henle as a further Managing Director.
As with many companions of his time, it all began in a double garage
In 2000, the company moved to its current location in the Allmendwiesen industrial estate in Königsbach. Administration, engineering, production and logistics are housed there. Production takes place in a total of seven production halls on 32 coil lines and 5 fully automatic bulk material coating machines as well as systems for selective, vibrobot and rack technology. This variety of coating systems is unique and makes it possible to coat a wide range of products, from delicate small parts to voluminous geometries and very wide belts.
Company location in Königsbach-Stein
Over the years, IMO has developed into a modern and agile metalworking company. Today, around 500 employees work there, including 35 trainees in various professions. A grandiose machine park, combined with know-how and expert knowledge, reflect the passion for metal coating.
"At IMO, we have been working successfully for a wide range of industries for 50 years and offer our customers optimal, tailor-made solutions for individual applications," explains son Kay Müller, who also works for the company as a project manager. The international customer base is made up of the automotive industry, electrical industry, e-mobility, mechanical engineering, medical technology, telecommunications and renewable energies.
In the age of e-mobility and autonomous driving, there is now a noticeable trend reversal in surface technology. Classic connectors are still needed, but the demand for large, bulky and geometrically demanding parts is increasing. There are new challenges in terms of dimensions in both strip and single part electroplating. The decreasing batch sizes are also clearly noticeable. Particularly in the area of strip electroplating, this means that there are significantly more set-up times. Furthermore, the systems and coating systems must become more diverse and flexible.
Silver deposition is also a topic for the future.
IMO is one of the few companies that has specialized in the precise selective plating of contacts. This knowledge must be continuously improved and further developed in a resource-saving manner. These special processes are becoming increasingly diverse in terms of the coatings offered and their selectivity. Silver deposits are also a topic for the future. Due to its price and high electrical conductivity, silver has become a real competitor to gold plating for contacts.
The company also focuses on sustainability and the responsible use of resources. Environmentally friendly energy concepts will be the key to success in the coming years. All systems and technologies used are state-of-the-art, efficient and energy-saving. Waste heat is used to heat the halls and the rinsing water is reused up to 500 times. However, the future energy supply is a cause for concern, as further increases in electricity prices are to be expected. The entire electroplating industry is absolutely energy-intensive and urgently needs a viable solution so that its competitiveness is not further weakened. Some large industries are already relocating abroad. Start-ups in this sector are becoming increasingly unattractive.
Project Manager Kay Müller with his father Bernd Müller, Managing Partner (from left to right)
Entrepreneurial courage is also still required at IMO. The company is clearly committed to Germany as a business location, but would like to see politicians and industry work together to shape the energy transition. After all, the company wants to be able to operate economically in the future, keep people in employment and remain an attractive employer.
In conclusion, Managing Director Bernd Müller emphasizes: "We are delighted to be celebrating our 50th anniversary this year. Looking back, we've had some very eventful and sometimes exhausting years. But we have never stopped looking forward. Our aim is and will remain to be a reliable partner for our customers in the field of surface technology in the future with investments, innovations and a motivated, highly specialized team."
Photos: IMO
