(01/28/2021) The member of VAST, WITTE Automotive has acquired the Prague-based company IMA (Institut mikroelektronických aplikací), the innovative developer of electronic identification systems, as of 01.01.2021.
WITTE has already been cooperating with IMA since 2017 and had acquired a 24% stake in the Czech electronics developer in August 2018. With the 100% takeover, WITTE Automotive will expand its mechatronic product portfolio, especially in the areas of controllers and sensors, and achieve another important milestone in the implementation of its digitalization strategy. "This partnership is an absolute win-win situation," emphasizes WITTE Managing Director Christian Kaczmarczyk. "By combining IMA and WITTE electronics know-how, innovative systems are created, for example in the field of gestures. These are also, but not only, interesting for vehicle manufacturers and have already been evaluated very positively by our customers."
IMA was founded in 1992 as the successor of the State Institute for Research in the Field of Electronics. In addition to research and development services in the areas of software and hardware, IMA is active in the field of identification systems and is one of the leading companies in its sector in the Czech Republic. Numerous companies as well as public authorities and schools use IMA's products for managing access rights, access control and data acquisition.
The headquarters in Prague employs a total of 80 people with a focus on electronics development, while prototype and series production is located in Pardubice in Eastern Bohemia. "Our trusting cooperation has resulted in valuable synergies. The 100 percent takeover by WITTE opens up new growth opportunities for us in our market segment and beyond," explains IMA Managing Director Tomáš Trpišovský.
Together, the partners will also intensify research activities in the automotive sector in order to identify future trends at an early stage and develop corresponding products and digital business models.