The deal will also boost Schneider’s customer support in the US and allow it to respond quickly and efficiently to US market requirements. "With this acquisition we will expand our product offering for OEM customers in the US, while providing increased technical support in motion applications," explains Michel Crochon, executive vice-president of Schneider’s automation business.

The previously privately owned IMS, which was founded in 1986, generated revenues worth around $20m last year. It develops and manufactures integrated brushless motors and drive electronics, targeting applications such as assembly, packaging, robotics, pick-and-place and medical equipment. By combining advanced custom chips, surface-mounting and hybrid technologies, it has been able to develop compact, high-performance motors and drives. A recent example is the MDrive 34 Plus (shown above) which incorporates an encoder, controller and digital oscillator to provide all-in-one speed control. 

In addition to the US, IMS has operations in Singapore and France and a UK subsidiary, based in Fareham, Hampshire, which it set up in 2006 with Mark Checkley, formerly of Portescap and Oriental Motor, as sales manager.

"Teaming up with Schneider Electric will give us faster access to the global market and allow us to expand and secure our growth internationally," says David Coutu, IMS’ founder and chief executive, who will stay with IMS and will lead the future expansion of the business together with Schneider’s motion team.

IMS will join Schneider’s motion control business, which includes Berger Lahr. In the US, it will form part of Schneider’s Motion Competency Center, created in 2005 to support customers during all phases of motion application development.