IME-Autolift was established during 1950s in Austria as a distributor for workshop equipments. Later, in 1970s, the company expanded its business to Germany before it became part of the European Union.
Then in 1980s it started manufacturing parking lifts as well as two post lifts. In 1991, the company forayed into making heavy-duty lifts for buses and trucks. Despite severe competition, including from the Chinese market, it has been able to survive because of its focus on customised product solutions.
India being the fastest growing market for the aftermarket and service activities, IME is keen to attract demand for its products in the country.
Also, with the entry of Bharat Benz, Volvo and Scania in India, there has been a substantial improvement in the quality of workshops available in the country.
Through its distributor, Sundar Enterprises of Coimbatore, IME has already started selling its products, and a few products have already been supplied to Tata Motors and Volkswagen.
Mr. Dkfm. Ing. Johannes Nestel-Eichhausen, Managing Director, Autolift GmbH, says that IME is very keen to use India as the gateway for export of the company products to the Asian market. It is already an exporter of its garage equipments to Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, etc. Besides truck and bus lifts, IME is also supplying its products to the Railway departments in large quantities.
According to Mr. V. Sundaram, Chief Executive Officer, Sundar Enterprises, depending upon the product demand, his company may go for a joint venture with IME to produce lifts locally with import of critical components from Germany.