Go with the flow IMI FAS

Go WITH THE fLoW

IMI FAS is proud to create high-technology solutions that are ‘smaller and better’. Emma-Jane Batey spoke to the Managing Director, Martin Maas, to understand how the company’s philosophy of solving problems has enabled it to be widely respected for pushing boundaries and creating answers.

Founded in 1971 in Geneva, Switzerland, and later acquired by IMI Precision Engineering, IMI FAS is a recognised market leader in fluid control solutions, specialising in miniature solenoid valve technology and Microfluidics. Right from the start, IMI FAS has been dedicated to solving problems, as Managing Director Martin Maas explained to Industry Europe, “We have long been associated with our impressively high level of customisation. We push boundaries. We can reach levels of customisation that our competitors don’t want to go to; that’s not to say that they may not be capable of that, but rather that is our business model, and our passion. We always want to take solutions as far as they can go, to push the specification so the product is smaller, lighter and faster.”

This focus on consistently creating innovative and high-technology solutions that reach an impressive level of customisation is why IMI FAS only offers tailor-made products. Mr Maas continued, “You will not find a IMI FAS catalogue; all our products are specifically projectbased and we have no standard products. We have platforms as starting points for creating new solutions that harness our experience of over 40 years.”

Something special

As part of the global IMI Precision Engineering, IMI FAS is a Swiss company which is engaged in the development and enhancement of solenoid technology. The company has built a unique reputation as a

pioneering and innovative company with a passion for achieving excellence in sophisticated technologies. Mr Maas said, “We’re special in what we do; we focus on industries that really need what we’re good at. These industries are those that have critical applications for our fluid control systems, so around two thirds of our projects are within the life sciences sector. Functionality is critical in the life sciences sector, so it’s a perfect match,”

IMI FAS creates, manufactures and delivers high technology components into the machinery required by the relevant element of the life sciences sector. The four key areas where it is active are medical devices, diagnostic instruments, analytical instruments and biotechnology. Mr Maas explained, “Our medical devices components are used in anything that will treat a symptom in or for a patient. The diagnostic instruments components are used in anything that will diagnose a symptom, such as the device a sample goes into. Our analytical instruments are used for the analysis and quantification of a sample into its constituent parts, and our biotech solutions are primarily used in DNA applications. All of our solutions are driven by the goal of prolonging and supporting life.”

With IMI Precision Engineering once again participating in the upcoming Compamed trade exhibition, Mr Maas is clear about its objectives. He said, “IMI FAS are a long-term participant at Compamed and we find that it is a great platform to meet, greet and bond with people that we have known and worked with for a long time. We have wine on our booth every evening and it’s a terrific opportunity to reinforce relationships.”

Awesome platform

Mr Maas continued, “We also know that Compamed is an awesome platform for launching new products. We made two new launches at the show last year and will be launching a series of

new solenoid valves this year too. There will also be a new syringe pump from one of our sister brands, IMI Norgren, at our booth.”

With IMI FAS enjoying the commercial advantages of being a longestablished yet highly future-focused company, its coming years are expected to be as positive as its previous four decades. Mr Maas identified, “We’re always looking for the best ways to harness our experience and our incredible capabilities alongside the increasingly strict regulations across the medical and diagnostic industries. Obviously, these industries are all about controlling risk, and rightly so; as a patient we’d all expect and hope that to be the case. So for us to be involved so heavily in creating the machinery that meets the very strictest – and ever stricter – series of regulations for suppliers, we’re excited about the future. Our factory is gearing up to these increasing regulations and certifications so that we are always moving forward with the appropriate speed. We’ve stepped up our R&D even more to meet this too and we’re consistently launching one or two innovative new products every year.”

As part of a global group that further enhances its broad reach, IMI Precision Engineering has made a conscious decision to change its focus to customer verticals, with IMI FAS essentially dedicated to the demands of the life sciences industry. Mr Maas concluded, “It’s where our skills lie, our experience and our passion. As a group, we have the broadest range of life sciences products in our industry and, by working with IMI FAS, OEM customers can radically simplify their highly demanding processes.” n